Reinforced masonry is masonry in which reinforcement is placed to carry tensile and shear forces. This can take the form of bars or bed-joint reinforcement in the horizontal joints, or vertical bars in masonry columns. On its own, masonry carries almost no tension; the reinforcement makes up for this.
Application
Reinforced masonry is used at lintel-free openings, where reinforcement in the joints above an opening takes over the role of a lintel. It is also a proven solution for long walls that would otherwise crack, for heavily loaded parapets, and in earthquake zones. Bed-joint reinforcement is laid into the horizontal joints during bricklaying and embedded in the mortar, so that tensile forces are transferred to the steel.
Characteristics
The reinforcement is usually made of galvanised or stainless steel to prevent corrosion in the joints. The mortar must fully surround the reinforcement to provide bond and protection. Besides bed-joint reinforcement, steel can also be placed vertically in hollow blocks or in specially built masonry columns, after which the cavities are filled with mortar or concrete. This produces masonry that can carry compression, tension and shear alike.
Related terms
- masonry
- masonry bond
- reinforcement
- brick
- joint
- mortar
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