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.     

Minimum reinforcement of beam‐type reinforced masonry constructions – proposals for future regulations

The minimum reinforcement of reinforced masonry under bending should according to DIN EN 1996‐1‐1:2013‐02 [N 1], Section 8.2.3(1), be not less than ρ_min = 0.05 % of the effective masonry cross‐section for building elements, in which the reinforcement makes a contribution to the loadbearing capacity of the section, with the effective masonry cross‐section being the product of the effective width (b_ef) and the usable height d of the building element. In order to limit cracking and increase the ductility of the element, the reinforcement area should according to [N 1], Section 8.2.3(3), be not less than 0.03 % of the gross cross‐sectional area (of a wall). Other regulations ([1], [N 2], [N 3], [N 4], [N 5], [N 6], [N 7]) also prescribe minimum reinforcements in order to avoid brittle behaviour of the building element when the first crack forms or to limit cracking. In this specialist article, the figures given in [N 1] for the minimum reinforcement of reinforced masonry beams, like flat lintels or prefabricated lintels, are checked. The work concentrates on avoiding brittle failure when the first crack forms. In addition to geometrical requirements, the amount of minimum reinforcement depends on the tensile strength of the masonry f_t,m. Values of ρ_min vary considerably depending on the magnitude of the tensile strength of the masonry that can be assumed. For lintels over openings in facing brickwork facades, the height of any capping or soldier courses under the reinforcement layer also has an enlarging influence on the value of ρ_min. With regard to future regulations in standards or Allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassungen (national technical approvals), it is recommended not to give lump sum values for ρ_min but to undertake a calculation like for reinforced concrete, using the algorithms given in this article.     

Design of aerated concrete flat lintels

Flat lintels are an often used and effective method of bridging over wall openings. They consist of a composite system of tension chord and the overlying masonry, which is only considered in regulations in this combined construction. The special features of the construction and design are explained in the present article through the example of aerated concrete flat lintels, with the verification of loadbearing capacity being described and explained based on the latest regulations in technical approvals taking into account the relevant European structural design codes and their national annexes.