Upgrade of Intermediate Masonry Shear Wall

[Episoen]

I'm evaluating an existing building, which was constructed with Masonry shear walls. The walls conform to the requirements of Intermediate Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls, which are not permitted in SDC D. Is there a way to retrofit the walls such that they will behave as Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls, or otherwise be allowable in SDC D?

 

[Deker]

Which requirements do they fail to meet for special detailing?

 

[Episoen]

No hooks at the ends of the rebar.

 

[Deker]

Are the horizontal bars required for shear? If the masonry can resist the load on its own, the hooks are not required. One option for retrofitting is to wrap the piers with FRP, either for the entire length of the pier or for a short distance at the ends sufficient to lap the FRP with the horizontal bars. Another option is to chip back the jambs and couple mechanical anchors onto the horizontal bars.

 

[Episoen]

The horizontal bars are required for shear, unfortunately. Thank you for the advice, I will look into those options.

 

[JedClampett]

Why is this upgrade required? Existing building's codes are pretty generous on "grandfathering" in buildings if they met the applicable code for their day.