Masonry Joint Reinforcement
Masonry Joint Reinforcement
(OP)
I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on masonry joint reinforcement. Do you use ladder style or truss style?
The truss style is stronger, but crosses the filled cells and may adversely affect the concrete fill consolidation. The ladder style will be weaker, but it doesn't cross the cells.
Which is better?
I know that Alexander Newman (ASCE's webinar fido) recommended ladder style during a masonry webinar, but I don't remember if he outlined the reasoning.
The truss style is stronger, but crosses the filled cells and may adversely affect the concrete fill consolidation. The ladder style will be weaker, but it doesn't cross the cells.
Which is better?
I know that Alexander Newman (ASCE's webinar fido) recommended ladder style during a masonry webinar, but I don't remember if he outlined the reasoning.






RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
Obviously truss type joint reinforcement will also impinge in the assumed masonry core size, spacing and alignment.
At one time laddur-type reinforcement had 15" o.c. ties, but 16" o.c. was available with an advance order. - Unfortunately, few engineers look at modularity from a construction standpoint since normal block are two core and really do not provide a true structural system that permits quality masonry construction. The last portion applies only to those people doing highly engineered loadbearing structures and not just infill or over designed lightly stressed masonry walls where the type of joint reinforcement in immaterial.
Just an opinion from an engineer interested in quality construction and proper specifications.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
Dik
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
I wasn't suggesting putting bars in the mortar joints. They go in the body of the block. In Australia, our blocks have recessed webs or knockout webs to accommodate the bars. We usually fill all cores. Wire in the mortar joints is not used. Not really my concern, but a code requiring wire in joints because it "doesn't hurt" seems a bit eccentric to me.
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
Are there any concerns about poor concrete fill consolidation due to the truss style joint reinforcement?
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
It like taking a bowl of chicken soup when the doctor ordered just a cup.
Of course you do need to fend off the complaints from the masons who bid the job with the 9 gauge and then find out they overlooked the heavyweight requirement...
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement
Dik
RE: Masonry Joint Reinforcement