anchoring non-reinforced masonry walls

Hemifun · Apr 13, 2007

Are there any codes such as the IBC which require plain masonry, simple 1 story block buildings to be anchored to the foundation? We typically have a wall footing with a cast-in-place concrete foundation wall on which the masonry blocks are set without any sort of anchorage and I was wondering if we should be anchoring the wall to the foundation and how much anchorage would be required.

concretemasonry · Apr 13, 2007

The first course of all masonry must be laid in a full mortar bed.

If it is a basement type construction under the IRC, no achorage is required. The IRC, however, does require that the 3.5 inch floor slab shall be poured tight against the bottom of the foundation wall (R404.1).

If this is a typical relatively small, one story building designed in accordance with the empirical requirements of ACI 530, a full mortar bedding of the first course would be adequate. The remainder of the wall would be face shell bedding.

Other design options are available if you wish to use them or if your building or wall dimensions do not fit the requirements for the empirical provisions to apply.

Dick

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anchoring non-reinforced masonry walls

Hemifun

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