GB2413570A - Masonry wall restraint - Google Patents

Abstract

A strip of bed reinforcement in a masonry wall has an attached protruding holed metal strip <B>2</B>. The strip of bed reinforcement is bedded into a masonry joint and has a reinforcing mesh <B>1</B> which is lapped at junctions. The holed metal strip <B>2</B> has a plurality of holes formed in it to which restraint straps <B>3</B> may be attached as required. A membrane may be provided underneath the reinforcing mesh in use to hold mortar in place during insertion of the strip into the masonry joint.

Description

llUPKOVEMENTS REIAT1NG TO hIASONRY WALL RESTRAINT In cavity wall

construction lateral wall restraint is normally provided by hook ended restraint straps that hook over the inner masonry skin into the cavityO, the inner swap fixed to floor joists, ceiling joists and roof Busses etc The patent herein described has been developed for use in single skin mason- construction such as disclosed in Patent No GB934507 I B where conventional restraints straps would protrude to the outer faces and for remedial restraint in both solid and cavity walls.

There is a need for restraint that both strengthens the wall and distributes the restraining forces throughout the length of the wall as against point loads applied by conventional straps and other point Axings such as expandable bolts.

Expanded metal mesh in the bed joint is a common form of masonry strengthening and reinforcement.

This patent combines this practice with lateral wall restraint by enabling restraint straps to be attached to the bedded expanded mesh in any position for both new build and remedial applications.

Firstly to describe the new build application in conjunction with drawing No 1 Figure 1.

Expanded reinforcing mesh of convenient lengths ( 1) has attached to one or both edges horizontally a metal str p (2), which is holed at frequent intervals. The combined strip is bedded into the masonry joint in the conventional manner with the reinforcing mesh lapped at junctions and the holed metal strip lapped bolted or similarly fixed at said junctions s Frequently holed inner restraint straps (3) are then hooked, bolted or booked fixed to the protruding holed strip as required, coinciding with floor and ceiling joists roof trusses etc. and fixed to same to provide lateral wall restraint.

Secondly to describe the application in remedial work.

Traditionally bulging and bowing masonry walls have been restrained by placing metal rods horizontally through a building at floor level or ceiling level, fixing metal crosses or bosses to the outside face of the wall, either screwing them tightly or screwing them in conjunction with heating the metal rod, so that on cooling and contraction a firm restraint is provided. More recent methods involve expandable bolts and other forms of fixing to internal structure, joists, beams etc to the walls.

The method herein described is to provide a continous horizontal lateral restraint fixing by cutting out a horizontal bed joint progressively and inserting into the open joint at convenient lengths expanded reinforcing mesh with a frequently holed metal strip attached, which is subsequently fixed via straps etc to internal restraint structure, this could apply to a solid masonry wall or to a cavity wall.

There is a problem associated with this technique which is to replace and impregnate a mortar bed into the Joint and surround and securely fix the inserted mesh.

Often the mortar is dried out by suction from the dry masonry and this obstructs deeper penetration. Drawing No 1, fig 2.

A membrane, paper, ganze or simii attached to the bohom surface of the reinforcing mesh to hold mortar ( in place and delay drying whilst the mesh is inserted into the joint ensuring mortar is evenly distributed, most importantly to the bacl; as well as throughout the bed joint as the method progresses incrementally and load Is transferred.

To facilitate easier penetration of mesh inlm cut out joint the leading edge of the mesh (5) would be smooth and pointed.

Alternatively, or in combination for a stronger joint and adhesion, high strength adhesive' epoxy resin or similar could be applied into the bed joint by pressure injection.

This method could also apply to underpinning and other remedial masonry wall applications where a number of bed joint reinforcements can span and overcome localised foundation and other localised structural problems as over arches or lintels etc.

Claims (2)

1. Claims 1. A strip of bed reinforcement in a masonary wall with an attached

   inner protruding and frequently holed metal strip.
2. 2. A strip of bed reinforcement as in claim 1 wherein the under surface of the reinforcement strip is covered in a membrane to hold mortar/adhesive.