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AIA Approved

Balanced Fire Safety Design and Resilient Masonry Fire Walls

This course reviews US fire statistics, the Balanced Fire Safety Design concept and the role that passive masonry firewalls play in it. Examples of how today’s building codes have eroded the Balanced Design Concept are shared to provide a better understanding of the crucial role fail-safe, passive masonry fire walls play in today’s fire safety designs.…

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AIA Approved

Strength Design of Masonry #3: Strength Design of Walls for Axial Load and Out-of-Plane Loads

During this session, design of masonry walls loaded with out-of-plane loads and axial loads will be reviewed. Methods to consider secondary bending moments will be examined, including using P-delta provisions, and key points on interaction diagrams will be reviewed. Differences in the strength design provisions and allowable stress design will be briefly discussed.…

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AIA Approved

Strength Design of Masonry #2: Strength Design of Beams

This session will review the design of masonry beams and lintels, including an examination of whether arching action can be used to reduce the loads on these elements. Deflection calculations will be reviewed, along with detailing requirements to meet code minimum and maximum reinforcement percentages.…

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AIA Approved

Strength Design of Masonry #1: Introduction to Strength Design of Masonry and Design Methodologies

This introductory session will review basic strength design concepts for masonry, noting key differences with procedures for concrete. Masonry assemblies and systems will be briefly reviewed noting their purposes and resistance to primary loads. Individual masonry elements of masonry buildings including walls, beams, columns, and pilasters will then be introduced, related to their roles in the overall structural system to orient attendees for further sessions where the design of these elements will be discussed.…

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Masonry 101 #6: Masonry Assemblies

This lesson looks at the properties of masonry assemblies based on the how it is constructed and bonded. Structural assembly properties including the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and compressive strength will be introduced and discussed. Other assembly properties related to dimensional stability, fire resistance and energy performance will also be reviewed, along with resources that can be used for additional information on these topics.…

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Masonry 101 #5: Grout

This lesson provides a comprehensive introduction to grouts and grouting for new masonry construction, especially for those who have little to no experience with masonry but find themselves needing to design or review projects. It describes the purpose of grout for masonry construction, both fine and coarse, as well as conventional and self-consolidating mixes, and desirable properties for all of these.…

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