Veneer walls of masonry as specified in EC 6 (DIN EN 1996‐2/NA) / Zweischaliges Mauerwerk nach EC 6 (DIN EN 1996‐2/NA)

This article deals with the production of veneer walls as specified in DIN EN 1996‐2/NA [3]. Against this background of the extensive revision of the section for veneer walls an exposition in accordance with the previous requirements as specified in DIN 1053‐1 can hardly be recommended. The necessity for a basic revision of the section for veneer wall construction has already been discussed in detail and justified in several technical articles published in previous years, see [4] to [7]. With many changes and corrections in the section for veneer walls in the National Annex of DIN EN 1996‐2 [8] it is certainly not a question of new rules for this method of building, but an adjustment of the requirements in the previous standard on the basis of the practical experience gained over several years. The new requirements for the execution of cavity facing masonry enable a simple and economic implementation of this external wall construction.     

Development of a tool for the structural design of the vertical load‐bearing capacity of unreinforced masonry

Before the introduction of EC 6, simple codes permitted masonry to be designed manually. The simplified procedure according to EN 1996‐3 still allows manual design, but its application is restricted. Therefore, a more laborious design according to EN 1996‐1‐1 is often required. This article presents a newly developed software tool, which facilitates the structural design of the vertical load‐bearing capacity of unreinforced masonry according to EN 1996‐1‐1. The tool is intuitive to use and has been developed based on experience from working in the field. The tool assists the planner in making decisions during the masonry design process. This article describes and explains the implemented, theoretical assumptions as well as the software tool N_Rd‐Pro‐Tool itself. This software tool facilitates simple, clear und transparent structural design of the vertical load bearing capacity of unreinforced masonry.     

Extension of the conditions for application of the simplified calculation methods according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA for the design of unreinforced masonry walls

Dedicated to University Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Carl‐Alexander Graubner for his 60th birthday The simplified calculation methods for unreinforced masonry structures given in DIN EN 1996‐3/NA are an easily applicable design standard for an efficient and fast verification of the resistance of mainly vertically loaded masonry walls. However, the design rules are not based on mechanical models. Instead, they are empirical approaches for a simplified estimation of the load bearing capacity. For this reason, the range of application of DIN EN 1996‐3/NA is limited by several conditions to ensure a sufficient safety of this design procedure. With regard to extending the conditions for application, extensive comparative calculations were carried out. Thereby, considering clearly defined boundary conditions, the load bearing capacity according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA was compared to that according to DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA. It was the aim of this comparison to identify load bearing reserves of the simplified calculation methods to point out potential for an extension regarding the maximum permissible clear wall height and the slab span. As a result, it can be stated, that an increase of the maximum wall height up to 6.0 m and the maximum slab span of 7.0 m is possible in certain cases.     

Analysis and comparison of the NDPs of various national annexes of Eurocode 6 / Analyse und Vergleich der NDPs verschiedener nationaler Anhänge zu Eurocode 6

In the national annexes of Eurocode 6, the individual European Member States can define values for nationally determined parameters in various places or add regulations which are not in contradiction to the current European provisions. Consequently – despite a harmonized Eurocode 6 – the normative regulations of the individual Member States differ more or less. However, in the sense of practicability of the standards in Europe, it should be the aim to develop a European standard which is as uniform as possible and which has not to be applied in significantly different ways due to the national regulations. In order to better understand the interests of the other Member States for future generations of standards and to derive potentials of harmonization, the values of the Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs) of various Member States are compared in this paper. In this context, the extent of the deviations between the different national annexes is examined and on this basis a possible potential of harmonization is identified.     

Verification of the fire resistance of clay brick masonry – hints for efficient design

In Germany, structural fire design of masonry is carried out in a simplified way using tabulated minimum wall thicknesses depending on the loading level in fire. Against this background the procedure of structural fire design is shown briefly before two approaches for a more efficient verification of the fire resistance are explained. The first possibility is to determine the reduction factor for the design value of the actions in fire more precisely and thereby reduce the loading level. Secondly, a design methodology is presented which can be applied in case of masonry walls with low vertical load but a large load eccentricity at mid‐height of the wall. Finally, the verification of the fire resistance of masonry according to national technical approval is discussed with an explanation how to obtain the same loading level in fire if the design is based on DIN EN 1996‐3/NA as when it is based on DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA.     

Proposal for the simplified design of basement walls under lateral earth pressure

This paper deals with the design of basement walls subjected to lateral earth pressure. The current simplified calculation method according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA only covers active earth pressure, which is the lower limiting value of the earth pressure. Designing according to DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA, higher coefficients of earth pressure (like earth pressure at rest) can be considered, with an additional verification of the shear resistance being necessary. This paper presents a theoretical model, which forms the basis for an analytical derivation of the loadbearing capacity, and explains the required minimum values of the acting normal force to ensure sufficient resistance to cover bending and shear. Based on these results, a simplified equation is proposed for the determination of the required minimum normal force, based on the design according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA and providing identical values in case of an earth pressure coefficient of 1/3. The required minimum load resulting from this approach fulfils the described requirement to cover bending and shear. The presented solution is verified and the conditions for application are defined. Finally, the minimum required normal forces are evaluated and tabulated for common cases relevant to building practice.     

Designing sound insulation in multi‐storey residential dwellings in accordance with E DIN 4109‐2 / Schallschutzplanung im Geschosswohnungsbau nach E DIN 4109‐2

The method for calculating airborne sound insulation between apartments as specified in DIN EN 12354‐1:2000 has been used for many years – and is increasingly being used – in architectural design. This article will give a short overview of the basic principles of this calculation method, highlighting some special aspects, and will then focus on its application in practice. In particular, the experience gained with the KS Schallschutzrechner software (calculator for the prediction of sound insulation between dwellings and terraced houses ), which has now been in use for twelve years, demonstrates that – in spite of the improved prognostic accuracy – the method is not more labour‐intensive than that of the previous procedure specified in DIN 4109 Supplement 1, provided suitable design aids are used.     

Out‐of‐plane bending moments in masonry walls – Analysis of different calculation methods

In the course of the revision of EN 1996‐1‐1, a new proposal has been made for the calculation of internal forces in frame‐type structures for the determination of bending moments due to slab rotation. In addition to a stiffness reduction for masonry walls in conjunction with the special features of partially supported slabs, which is already usual in Germany, the calculated ever‐present minimum loadbearing capacity of a wall is also increased due to a reduction of the maximum applied load eccentricity. Another major change is the direct implementation of wind loads in the method to determine the internal forces. To ensure that these changes do not lead to a safety deficit or an uneconomic reduction of the loadbearing capacity compared with the current situation, the results of extensive comparative calculations are presented. In addition, it is examined whether the proposal could conflict with further investigations to extend the conditions for application of the simplified design procedures according to EN 1996‐3. It is shown that the new draft provides similar results to the current method and that there are no concerns about its application. Also, the investigations to extend the conditions for application of the simplified calculation methods can be based on the new proposal without concerns.     

Reinforced masonry beams under shear load – Proposals for future designs / Bewehrte schubbeanspruchte Mauerwerksbalken – Vorschläge für zukünftige Bemessungen

This article is written against the backdrop of the work of the European standardisation committees on the amendment of EN 1996‐1‐1 [N 4] which will also exert an influence on the design of reinforced masonry in Germany. This paper focusses on the design approaches of DIN EN 1996‐1‐1 for untensioned reinforced masonry beams under shear load in the ultimate limit state (ULS). Proposals are made to discuss their revision. The contents of E DIN 1053‐3 [N 3] and of the final draft of the guideline ”Flat Lintels” [7] are taken into account.     

Sustainable building for the future: Contemporary clay masonry – Resource‐saving building

Clay as a building material has a long tradition in Europe, largely losing its importance with industrialisation. Since the 1980s, clay building activity has steadily increased. Standard guidelines (Lehmbau‐Regeln) introduced in the 1990s, however, appear to be rather too cautious when examined in the light of current research findings on the load bearing capabilities of clay walls. Based on the evidence of historic clay buildings, on structural engineering calculations and building physics – the authors' research supports the assumption that masonry with modern unfired clay bricks has a much higher performance potential than previously assumed, which applies particularly to its sustainability. The biggest apprehension relates to the water‐sensitivity of this building material with regard to structural soundness. This can be countered however with the appropriate construction principles.     

Flexural tensile tests with vertically perforated clay unit masonry with thin layer mortar / Biegezugversuche an Planziegelmauerwerk

As part of the EU project, INSYSME – INnovative SYStems for earthquake resistant Masonry Enclosures in reinforced concrete buildings – to optimise infill masonry the German project partners carried out an initial part of the project on flexural strength testing of high‐tech clay block masonry in accordance with DIN EN 1052‐2. In this a wide range of modern products was considered which at present is regulated in Germany by means of general building authority approvals. The test results show that the specifications for flexural tensile strength of high‐tech clay block masonry in DIN EN 1996 are very conservative in most cases.