Looking for masonry-work design guide

[redordonkey]

Hi everyone,

In the course of my work, I am asked to design a wall built solely of masonry-work.

I have based my search on the resources I have in my disposal, but I was unable to find the perfect guide which would help me to complete this task.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in this matter. If you have come across such a guide in your professional experience, please direct me towards it, or at least the study bank or information that you know or have heard of that might help me.
In sort, I looking to find a guide, or document, that details the design of a wall comprising of masonry-work, be it bricklayers or any other sort.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
redordonkey

 

[concretemasonry]

Since it is an open-ended question there are two great sources depending on yo loaction and needs.

1. Jim Amrheinse's classic on the design of masonry structures.

2. Masonry Designers guide (MDG) that is comprehensive, but specialized and is a compliment to the real masonry code and specifications, ACI 530.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[redordonkey]

Thank you very much! I will look into it.

I am located in Canada and the project will be based in the Côte-Nord of Quebec. Besides that I am restricted from giving away too much information.

But thank you again, I really appreciate the support!

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Hire an SE who knows what he/she is doing!!?? Or ask them to guide down the path!!

 

[concretemasonry]

redordonkey -

Jim's book on masonry design is a classic and is used in many countries. It overdoes the reinforced masonry, but that is partially due to organizations her worked with/for.

The MDG is a companion to the ACI 530 code, that is the basis for standards and codes in many countries, but there can small, unique local requirements.

I have encountered both documents used in many countries. As early as the 1970's Brazilian engineers visited Jim and a number of 7 to 12 story masonry structures in SoCal and adopted them as a standard for many Brazilian buildings. Over 30 years later, they still are building 15-20 story load bearing masonry buildings (partially reinforced 6" block walls. This Brazilian construction is highly controlled and the non-invasive inspection (virtually NO clean-outs) and minimal site testing. Because of the size of the developments and number of buildings, pretesting/approvals of materials is common. - It was an eye-opener.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[redordonkey]

I really appreciate the information and the detail you have given me here!

I have found part of “Jim Amrheinse's classic on the design of masonry structures” on “Google Books” and I have to admit that it might contain all the theoretical details I need to refer to. With the extra information you have given me here, I will certainly order a copy.

For the “Masonry Designers guide”, I do not know if it compares to the “S304.1-04 (R2010) - Design of Masonry Structures” published by CSA (Canadian Standards Association) which I am currently using. I have to confess that the CSA S304.1-04 is quite complex to follow on its own. If only you would know of the companion book for this particular section.

Once again I am really thankful for your help Dick!

 

[concretemasonry]

redordonkey -

I am not that familiar with the recent CSA standards, but there is a strong link between masonry Canada and the U.S. (many common meetings) and most standards (if you don't pick things apart in detail) are based on the same ideas, research, materials and principals because of common membership many of the writers. - Look at the tables (after any imperial/metric conversion) to find the common threads.

Usually the national or regional standards are based on the same research and information. Even in the U.S, about 20 years ago the "Peoples Republic of Wisconsin" (DILHR) would take a recognized standard and modify it for their format and end up creating documents with many newly created loop-holes that was actually almost unusable.

Look closely at the CSA standard and compare to international accepted standards (ASTM, ACI) and will see the parallels and concepts.



Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[DST148]

You may try Engineered Masonry Design by Glanville, Hatzinikolas, and Ben-Omran. It is a text book based on CSA S-304.1 and published by Winston House. It has quite a few solved examples. I had used it extensively while working in Ontario.