Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010 10:56 am

CERAM, a global expert in materials testing, analysis and consultancy, has published the Design Guide for Masonry Reinforced by Bond Beams and Columns to Resist Lateral Load; superseding the original which covered the use of bond beams only. The Guide expands upon BS 5628 and EC6, and is the result of a four-year research and test programme to evaluate reinforced, full-size walls strengthened against lateral load, thus providing recommendations for the design of masonry walls incorporating bond beams and columns.

Traditionally, large span single leaf concrete blockwork walls that are subjected to significant wind loads are subdivided by the use of wind posts. In the new system, the vertical span is split through the introduction of horizontal reinforced bond beams that span between the main structural columns at intervals up the wall height. Shear transfer rods, an innovative method of providing additional support for walls, ensure the courses above and below the bond beams act compositely. Horizontal spans are similarly subdivided by vertically reinforced hollow blocks which are concreted to form bond columns. 

The Design Guide is available as a free download from www.ceram.com/structures.

CERAM

Email: enquiries@ceram.com

Tel: +44(0)1782 764428