Applications for Reinforced and Prestressed Masonry and the Design ApproachReviewing current applications and design information in the context of Eurocode 6

The reinforcement of masonry is not a new concept. In the 18th Century external iron straps were commonly used in stonework. It was not until 1825 that the first use of reinforced brickwork was recorded.

Sir Marc Brunel used the technique in the construction of two caissons, one either side of the River Thames for the Wrapping-Rotherhithe Tunnel.

At the turn of the Century, a number of reinforced brickwork buildings were built by a French structural engineer, Paul Cottancin. Cottancin had patented a method for reinforcing concrete in 1889, which consisted of using mesh placed in this (50mm) slabs.

In the 1920's a great deal of reinforced brickwork was built in a special bond (Quetta bond) to increase resistance to seismic loads. The same technique was considered in the UK during the Second World War for the construction of air raid shelters.

More recent developments include the widespread use of reinforced hollow block masonry, particularly in seismic areas. Other typical applications for vertical reinforced masonry include increasing the resistance of walls to wind loading.

The post-tensioning of structures (and particularly of masonry structures) has been available as a technique for a long time, for example, in the tying together of ageing buildings with iron rods, the force in which instance is generated by the cooling of the rods which were clamped whilst hot. The most common use of pre-stressing in building construction is the vertical post-tensioning of walls to resist lateral loading from either wind, stored material or retained earth.

On completion of this course, delegates will:

• Have a good appreciation of how masonry may be used to provide cost effective solutions in a variety of applications
• Have an understanding of the relevant design procedures, codes and standards
• Be able to undertake the design of common reinforced masonry structures
• Understand when a particular option is applicable
• Be able to describe the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions
• Understand the relevant design procedures
• Be able to carry out the design of common structures
• Have an appreciation of the specification requirements for a range of solutions

• Introduction and overview
• Applications for reinforced and prestressed masonry
• Codes of practice including Eurocode 6 and PD6697
• Supporting Standards
• Design of reinforced masonry
• Design of laterally loaded panels containing bed joint reinforcement
• Design of prestressed masonry
• Design of walls of complex cross section

The course is comprised of the following components:

• An introduction taking into account the experience of the participants
• Lectures showing the applications of reinforced and prestressed masonry
• Lectures explaining the design approaches to various applications
• Worked examples
• Tutorial sessions taking participants through the design process

• Participants will have a better understanding of the potential applications for reinforced and prestressed masonry and will understand the basis of design
• Confidence in the use of Eurocode 6, PD 6697 and relevant standards

• Ideally participants will have a copy of BS EN 1996-1-1 and PD 6697
• A calculator will be required for the tutorial sessions