MASONRY BEAMING (BED JOINT REINFORCEMENT)

Masonry beaming, also referred to as bed joint reinforcement, is rapid versatile cost- effective means of restoring structural integrity to buildings and structures. This technique is used to distribute applied loads and increase the tensile, shear and flexural capacity of walls where masonry has lost its load bearing capacity or where additional support is required.

Thor Helical reinforcing bars can be used for forming masonry beams that strengthen existing walls. Masonry beams are created by inserting two parallel lengths of helical bar into the bed-joints of two brick courses at predetermined heights.

Non-reinforced masonry panels are strong in compression but comparatively weak in resistance to shear and tension loads. Increased loads and stresses caused by subsidence, localised ground movement, lintel failure, moisture and temperature can cause walls to deflect, crack and lose their load bearing capacity.

Bed joint reinforcement can be used in such cases and is often used in combination with other masonry and structural repair techniques such as retrofit wall ties, lateral restraint, cross-wall pinning and underpinning.