Masonry Question

[slickdeals]

Folks,
The allowable flexural tensile stress values are given in the code in Table 2.2.3.2. I am having a hard time understanding when the stress value should be used for stress parallel to bed joint.

An out-of-plane load will produce tension on the inside/face shell and the direction will be normal to the bed joint
An in-plane load will produce a force normal the bed joint on the inside and outside face shell on the tensile side of the N.A.

When will a force produce a flexural tensile stress parallel to the bed joint (normal to head joint)?

 

[slickdeals]

Is it for a masonry wall spanning horizontally?

 

[Lion06]

Yes, I believe that's the only way that can be achieved. Interestingly, if the wall spans horizontally, you have never a full section of mortar joints only like you do when the wall spans vertically.

 

[hokie66]

Unless the wall is stack jointed.

 

[concretemasonry]

With the proper block, you can lay it in true running bond and still have full mortar bedding. Not available at all block producers. It has 2 webs instead of 3 spaced at 8" inches on center. You get perfectly aligned webs and cores in either running or stack bond. Works great for reinforcement and grouting only one cell - grout placement and consolidation are also much easier and better. Also no grout bridging.

Dick

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