Ece Erdogmus, Laura Redmond, Aakash Basu, and Shreedhar KC
i Dean and Professor, College of Architecture, Art, and Construction, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA, ecee24@clemson.edu
ii Assistant Professor, School of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA, lmredmo@clemson.edu
iii Graduate Assistant, School of Civil Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA, aakashb@clemson.edu
iv Graduate Assistant, School of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA, shreedk@clemson.edu
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to identify and discuss the current practices of masonry beam design and construction in the United States. An online survey was administered to identify professionals’ design and construction choices for masonry beams, with particular interest in identifying structural design practices. The survey was distributed through social media (LinkedIn), the masonry society (TMS), Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and several other masonry-related organizations and groups in the U.S. The survey also aims to understand why designers might select materials other than masonry beams/lintels to span openings in masonry walls. 106 unique and complete responses are received including 7 architects, 72 structural engineers, and 27 contractors. After the analysis of the data, the results show that practices and opinions related to masonry beams vary between architects, engineers, contractors (A-E-C), and many of these relate to two fundamental issues: 1) lack of communication and coordination between A-E-C professionals, and 2) lack of consistent education specific to masonry design and construction at U.S. universities. Engineers’ primary barriers to designing masonry beams are complex loading conditions and contractor preference. Contractors noted that architects and engineers often specify other materials for spanning openings in masonry walls, or they provide too few details and too much reinforcement, making them difficult to build. Architects noted their top concern was cost, even though contractors were not as concerned about cost of construction. It should be noted that the response rate from architects is too small to draw strong conclusions regarding any topic. Other key themes that emerged from the study included: a general lack of trust in masonry beams for large spans, limited use and awareness of structural clay masonry, and the lack of clear code guidance on complex design issues such as torsion, deflection limits, and biaxial bending specific to beam design in the United States. The survey results are valuable to shape future research and code development related to masonry beams.
KEYWORDS: Beam Design, Deflections, Masonry Beams, Masonry Design, Masonry Lintels.
162-Erdogmus.pdf
