rebar in the mortar between concrete blocks

[dunord]

Do people ever rebar the mortar between concrete blocks? Is it much weaker vs.lateral flexing than an horiz.concrete beam of similar cross section with as many bars in horizontal . . . order?

 

[bimr]

The most common horizontal reinforcement for a masonry wall is a galvanized steel wire ladder or truss laid in the mortar between courses of brick or block. Horizontal reinforcement is required by some building codes.

https://www.fireengineering.com/fire-safety/havel-reinforced-masonry/

 

[dunord]

The most common horizontal reinforcement for a masonry wall is a galvanized steel wire ladder or truss laid in the mortar between courses of brick or block. Horizontal reinforcement is required by some building codes.

https://www.fireengineering.com/fire-safety/havel-reinforced-masonry/

Too good! Thanks a lot. However, are you saying that said ladder or trusses when laid in intercourse mortar provide similar resistance (controlled flexibility?) vs.lateral flexion (and vs.sustained lateral pressure?) as iron bars would provide if laid down in the same mortar? So using iron bars would only add resistance to horizontal elongation and contraction pressures?

 

[JAE]

I think wire ladders do provide some flexural strength increase in walls but I've not typically counted on them.

You can put in single #3 bars (3/8" dia) or even smaller deformed wire "bars" in the 3/8" mortar joints but I prefer, for horizontal bending, to use intermittent bond beams with #4 or #5 bars.