INTERNATIONAL

Internal Bracing Design Guide for

MASONRY
INSTITUTE Masonry Walls Under Construction

Preface: Masonry under construction must be temporarily braced until the final lateral support
system is in place. The importance of this bracing is paramount to the safety of both the general
public and those involved with the project under construction. The Standard Practice for
Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction provides engineering principles and properties for
rationally design bracing systems for masonry walls under construction. Internal bracing, or
using the developing strength of the masonry assembly, can provide significant benefits to a
project team. To support the engineering community in the use of structural masonry, including
effective and efficient temporary bracing, the International Masonry Institute has funded this
guide.

Date: May, 2013 1st edition

About Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction (from International Masonry Institute)

This Guide has been developed by the International Masonry Institute (IMI) for use by engineers
and other qualified persons designing masonry bracing systems. It provides an outline of the
process and illustrates the application of engineering principles for bracing masonry walls using
the wall’s inherent strength rather than external bracing elements. This concept is known as
‘Internal Bracing’ and has been successfully applied in numerous projects with short to very tall
walls.
Bracing masonry walls under construction is a life safety necessity that is mandated by each
state’s legally adopted building code through the referenced masonry standards. The 2011
‘Specification for Masonry Structures’ (TMS 602/ACI 530.1/ASCE 6) was adopted by the 2012
International Building Code for masonry construction and contains requirements for the mason
contractor to ‘Design, provide, and install bracing that will assure stability of masonry during
construction.’ Bracing is also part of federal occupational safety requirements including national
regulations -- OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (CFR 29) Part 1926.706
and locally adopted regulations -- Michigan’s MiOSHA Construction Standard Part 2, as an
example. Bracing protects project workers as well as the general public who may access the site,
be passing by, or even occupying adjacent facilities or spaces.
Masonry bracing is typically designed by an engineer retained by the project’s mason contractor,
although there is some movement in the industry to incorporate Internal Bracing capacity into the
project’s construction documents prepared by the Engineer of Record. There is an industry
standard for bracing masonry walls: ‘Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under
Construction’, 2012, sponsored by IMI and the Mason Contractors Association of America
(MCAA) and published by MCAA. There also are compiled examples and technical literature
available through industry sources as well as proprietary information for external bracing
systems. This Guide applies the content of the Standard and other documents along with
knowledge gained through experience to provide users with one approach to designing internally
braced masonry walls.

About International Masonry Institute (IMI)

The International Masonry Institute offers quality training for craftworkers, professional
education for masonry contractors and free technical assistance to the design and construction
communities. IMI is a strategic alliance between the International Union of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and their signatory contractors to promote quality masonry
construction.
Team IMI consists of architects, engineers, construction managers, skilled craftworkers and
instructors, offering what no other group can: expertise in training, craftsmanship, design,
installation and marketing. That means buildings built by union craftworkers and contractors get
built the right way.

Author

Scott W. Walkowicz, PE, NCEES | Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, LLC

[email protected]

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute i

Disclaimer

IMI and Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, LLC disclaim all warranties, expressed or implied,
including but not limited to implied fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to this manual.
All designs resulting from the processes defined in this manual should be verified to the user’s
satisfaction. The contents of these written materials may include technical inaccuracies or
typographical errors and may be revised without notice.

This document is intended for the use of industry professionals who are competent to evaluate
the significance and limitations of the information provided herein. This publication should not
be used as the sole guide for masonry Internal Bracing design and construction.

Thanks

IMI and Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, LLC would like to thank Dailey Engineering, Inc.,
Bergmann Associates, Davenport Masonry and Koch Masonry for their willingness to share
ideas based on their work with internally braced masonry walls under construction and for
photographs and figures shared to better illustrate the concepts presented herein. Additional
thanks are extended to Dailey Engineering and Bergmann Associates for their time and effort
spent reviewing this document.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute ii

Internal Bracing Design Guide for Masonry Walls Under Construction

Table of Contents:
Table of Figures: ......................................................................................................................... 1
Section 1: Concepts for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction ....................................... 2
1. General.......................................................................................................................... 2
2. External Bracing ........................................................................................................... 2
3. Internal Bracing ............................................................................................................ 2
4. Communication Between the Engineer and the Mason Contractor ............................. 3
5. Modifying Requirements Shown in the Construction Documents ............................... 5
6. The Role of Special Inspection ..................................................................................... 6
Section 2: Short Term Design Approach .................................................................................... 7
1. General.......................................................................................................................... 7
2. Masonry ........................................................................................................................ 9
3. Foundation and Soils .................................................................................................. 10
Section 3: Internal Bracing Design ........................................................................................... 12
1. Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 12
2. Deliverables ................................................................................................................ 13
Section 4: Design Examples ..................................................................................................... 16
1. Component Software (Structural Masonry Design System, V5.0.1) ......................... 17
2. Finite Element (Ram Elements) ................................................................................. 22
Section 5: Concluding Remarks................................................................................................ 26

Table of Figures:
Figure 1: Cantilevered Wall Diagram ............................................................................................ 7
Figure 2: Sample Bracing Plan Graphics, Notes and Legend ...................................................... 15
Figure 3: Design Basis Menu – Codes tab ................................................................................... 17
Figure 4: Design Basis Menu – Concrete Masonry tab ............................................................... 17
Figure 5: Out of Plane Wall Design – Design Data tab ............................................................... 18
Figure 6: Out of Plane Wall Design – Construction Data tab...................................................... 18
Figure 7: Out of Plane Wall Design – Load Data tab .................................................................. 19
Figure 8: Analysis Results – Interaction Diagram Showing Insufficient Capacity ..................... 19
Figure 9: Return to Design Basis – Modify masonry strength .................................................... 20
Figure 10: Analysis Results – Interaction Diagram Showing Sufficient Capacity...................... 21
Figure 11: Data Input Field - Masonry Properties ....................................................................... 22
Figure 12: Data Input Field - Geometry ...................................................................................... 22
Figure 13: Data Input Field - Masonry Criteria ........................................................................... 23
Figure 14: Data Input Field - Loads ............................................................................................. 23
Figure 15: Data Input Field – Design Data .................................................................................. 24
Figure 16: Analysis Report – Good bar size, excessive bar spacing ........................................... 24
Figure 17: Analysis Report – Good bar size and spacing ............................................................ 25

Table of Photographs:
Photograph 1: External pipe braces utilized on a masonry wall under construction. .................... 2
Photograph 2: Masonry walls under construction utilizing Internal Bracing. ............................. 3

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 1

Section 1: Concepts for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction
1. General
Bracing masonry walls under construction requires predictable capacity to resist defined loads
that may occur due to wind during construction and before the wall’s final lateral support is in
place. Applying rational engineering methods using material properties provides the basis for
bracing design whether the masonry walls are braced in the traditional manner using external
components or by Internal Bracing, that is, the more recent method of using the constructed
masonry’s inherent strength to provide stability during wall construction. It is important to
realize that Internal Bracing provides verifiable engineering capacity and performance similar to
systems that incorporate external bracing components and provides tangible benefits to the
project that will be discussed later in this Guide.

2. External Bracing
While not the focus of this Guide, it is
important to note that masonry walls can be
braced using external components. External
bracing has been used effectively for years
and can provide appropriate capacity for
masonry walls under construction and it may
be necessary for certain masonry wall
configurations that cannot be adequately
braced using the wall’s internal capacity.
Advantages of this system include
familiarity, visible components and the
availability of numerous proprietary systems
which are readily available. Disadvantages
of this system may include lack of sufficient
capacity due to improper construction or
installation, inappropriate consideration
given to wall connections and base Photograph 1: External pipe braces utilized on a masonry
wall under construction with anchorage to block pallet 'skids'
anchorage, interference with and exposure to and column foundations. (Credit: Davenport Masonry, Holt,
damage from site traffic and activities (for MI)
example: construction equipment running into braces or their anchorage, trades removing braces
such as steel erectors needing to set roof structure or electricians or plumbers needing to install
trenches for underground utilities and more), mobilization and de-mobilization time and expense,
material acquisition/rental and storage expense as well as the need for anchorage connection to
something with sufficient capacity to resist the loads imparted from the brace. External bracing
is, however, an engineered system with a long track record of successful implementation that
provides good value to the project team and the building owner.

3. Internal Bracing
This Guide presents a newer method for bracing masonry walls under construction: Internal
Bracing. This method provides a highly effective and efficient method to provide stability to

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 2

 masonry walls prior to the installation of, and
connection to, the permanent lateral support
system. This new method is based on using
conventional masonry analysis methods,
either Allowable Stress Design or Strength
Design, derived from the ‘Building Code
Requirements for Masonry Structures.’ (TMS
402/ACI 530/ASCE 5), referred to as the
“Code” hereafter. The analysis is conducted
with modified criteria, specifically the
masonry properties, based on green masonry
system performance. The design method and
criteria are found in the ‘Standard Practice
Photograph 2: Masonry walls under construction utilizing for Bracing Masonry Walls Under
Internal Bracing. (Credit: Koch Masonry, Dexter, MI) Construction’ – herein referred to as the
“Standard” The Standard was first
published in 1999. It was revised in 2001 and again in 2012. The methods for Internal Bracing
presented in this Guide are based on the 2012 Standard. The basic premises for analysis is
cantilevered behavior, reduced masonry strengths, and full steel tensile strength after the grout
has cured for either 12 or 24 hours, depending on the length of lap used. Advantages of this
system include greater safety due to the lack of elements that could be impacted by site traffic or
activities since there are no external braces, no additional mobilization or de-mobilization time, a
more open, less complicated site without interferences to site traffic or construction activities, no
external components including connectors, braces and foundations and none of the associated
costs for those items. Other significant benefits found through using Internal Bracing are more
predictable capacity (since there are no concentrated loads at brace top support points and a more
direct load resistance path), and capacity that increases with time providing additional safety
until the final lateral support system is installed. Disadvantages associated with the method may
include unfamiliarity, the lack of external components that can be observed and inspected, lack
of capacity due to improper construction and an occasional lack of design capacity based on
configuration constraints which could lead to required modifications to the proposed
construction and/or the application of external braces. However, Internal Bracing is an
engineered method and it is believed that it provides better value to the project team and the end
user.

4. Communication Between the Engineer and the Mason Contractor

It is imperative that the bracing design engineer understand several key aspects of the specific
masonry construction. The masonry capacity and the demand placed on the wall and bracing
depend on the manner and sequencing of the wall’s construction and of surrounding
construction. To facilitate this understanding one or more meetings are often held between the
bracing design engineer and mason contractor. Points that can influence Internal Bracing
capacity analysis include:
Masonry layout including wall locations, heights, reinforcement size and
Masonry spacing, joint location and opening information all can influence the demand
Layout placed on the masonry during construction. The ‘For Construction’
documents, including all addendums and bulletins, must be reviewed to

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perform proper bracing analysis. The mason contractor should provide these documents,
including drawings and specifications, to the bracing design engineer so that individual wall
segments can be properly evaluated.
Reinforced
Masonry construction sequencing is a
Masonry construction means that is often first considered masonry can take
Construction during bid preparation and is then refined prior advantage of
Sequencing to and during construction. The contractor needs reinforcement
to present the intended construction sequencing once the grout
to the bracing design engineer regarding which walls or wall has cured either
segments will be constructed first and how those walls may be 12 hours with
supported or buttressed by other walls or constructed features. The
contractor also needs to inform the bracing design engineer of the extended lap
individual wall segment construction phasing in terms of how much lengths, or 24
height will be built each day, when reinforcement and grout will be hours with
placed, what type of lintels and other horizontal elements will be standard lap
installed and when the final lateral support will be installed. lengths.
Unreinforced masonry or reinforced masonry, prior to grout
placement and/or sufficient curing, rely on masonry weight and on
modest flexural tensile capacity to resist applied lateral wind loads. Reinforced masonry can
take advantage of reinforcement once the grout has cured either 12 hours with extended lap
lengths, or 24 hours with standard lap lengths. The sequencing of masonry lay-up and
reinforcement and grout placement determines when the strength of the reinforcement can be
included as the means to internally brace the wall under construction. Low lift grouting
procedures should be considered because this procedure allows the wall to gain strength as the
construction progresses, as discussed later in this Guide.
Masonry unit strength is the most common basis for determining the net area
Masonry Unit compressive strength of the masonry, commonly referred to as f’m. During
Strength construction, masonry compressive strength is limited by the Standard to 50
percent of the net area compressive strength of masonry. The bracing design
engineer, therefore, needs to know the compressive strength of the masonry units to be used so
that the proper f’m can be determined and then reduced by 50 percent for use in calculating the
capacity of the masonry while it’s under construction. A current unit compliance report or
compressive strength test report should be used to verify unit strength. Preconstruction testing of
units or assembled prisms should be conducted if an appropriate report is not provided or to
provide verification of the compressive strength for the units and/or masonry being used.
Masonry thickness and density or weight per square foot influence the
Other
resisting moment for global stability and axial compressive load that
Masonry
combines with flexural compression or tension. Masonry unit compliance
Properties submittals will provide dimensional and density/weight criteria for
evaluation and should be provided by the mason contractor.
Foundation size including depth and geotechnical information for the project
Foundation
site must be shared so the influence of foundation capacity can be evaluated
and Soils
with regard to global stability of the wall under consideration. The bracing
design engineer needs to evaluate the foundation for bearing pressure,
sliding and overturning using information such as foundation geometry, the wall placement on

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the foundation and the soil bearing capacity and other criteria such as active and passive
pressures, friction and density.
It is also imperative to include the controlling contractor or construction
Scheduling
manager in the communication loop. While the mason contractor and the
Control
bracing engineer are developing the final masonry installation and bracing
plan, the controlling contractor or construction manager should be included
to offer input where they may find schedule pinch points and to understand the intended
sequencing so they can coordinate other trades. Internal bracing can provide scheduling benefits
to the project due to the reduced mobilization and de-mobilization time as well as through the
freeing up of the construction site in the vicinity of masonry walls under construction. It can
limit trade stacking and cross trade interference – a huge benefit to the project schedule and to
the controlling contractor or construction manager.

5. Modifying Requirements Shown in the Construction Documents

Many masonry wall designs that were produced for the building’s final occupancy also
inherently provide sufficient reinforcement to resist the short term, construction loads even when
utilizing cantilevered condition analysis. Experience shows, however, that about 20 percent of
walls may not be designed or detailed with sufficient capacity for resisting construction period
wind loads in a cantilevered condition. In those cases, simple revisions to the design to include
longer dowel lap lengths, additional wall reinforcement and/or greater foundation size and
reinforcement can almost always provide the required capacity. Such changes should be
submitted to the Engineer of Record and contractor for approval prior to implementation.
The most common capacity deficiency in design document reinforcement
Foundation (with regard to its use as Internal Bracing) is insufficient dowel length to
Dowel Lap create proper lap with the vertical structural reinforcement. Foundation
Length dowels are often kept short and the walls are designed with ‘pinned’ base
conditions where the wall is free to rotate at the top of foundation. The
shorter dowels are generally included to create a keying effect while not introducing moment
into the foundation which would affect the footing design. Design engineers may be willing,
when asked, to accept lengthening of the dowels to establish proper lap lengths as a trade off to
consider the wall internally braced and eliminate the external braces. In fact, bracing design
engineers report that as much as 50 percent of the reviewed design construction documents show
long dowel laps and base fixity as part of the design, so the longer dowel laps may already be
part of the original design. Most engineers will ignore the effect of the very minor base rotation
that could be introduced into the foundation once the wall’s permanent lateral support system is
in place. Occasionally a design engineer will re-engineer the foundation, or require the bracing
engineer to do so, to include the effect of the fixed base moment generated by the longer dowel
laps. In those instances, footing sizes can increase and add some cost to the Internal Bracing
package that may partially offset some of the savings recognized through using Internal Bracing.
These costs are often minor and can be minimized if this re-design is done prior to foundation
detailing and construction or, even better, during the initial engineering design rather than as an
addendum after the project has been let. That cost should be considered along with the other
costs when evaluating the economic efficiencies of Internal Bracing schemes. In some cases, the
bracing design engineer and the Engineer of Record may be the same, if not, the bracing
engineer will be responsible for verifying foundation performance for loads during the

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 5

construction period until the wall is laterally supported. Note that 48 bar diameter laps are
acceptable for use during construction and allow the use of the full reinforcement capacity after
24 hours of grout curing time. A lap length of 64.8 bar diameters is required to develop the full
reinforcement capacity after 12 hours of grout curing time. (see the Standard for more
information on this parameter.).
Another area where design document reinforcement can be insufficient for
Vertical
use in Internal Bracing schemes is the reinforcement steel area.
Reinforcement Occasionally, the specified bar size is too small or the spacing is too great to
Capacity perform sufficiently during construction wind loading. Nearly all of the
walls whose design reinforcement is found lacking can be successfully
upgraded to resist construction wind loading. Most commonly, existing bars can be increased in
size or the specified spacing decreased to increase the flexural tension capacity. Note that,
because internally braced walls are modeled as cantilevered walls where the demand is highest at
the base and decreases with height, any increase in reinforcement is usually limited to a short
part of the wall height above its base.

Footing Size The least common shortcoming found in design document engineering,
when considering Internal Bracing, is footing size. When properly
considered for short term loading and life safety only, most existing footings provide sufficient
stability. In fact, footings with a depth of 24 inches or more and a width equal to the wall
thickness plus 4 inches are adequate for the majority of internally braced wall systems. If
footing size is found to be lacking, adjustments can be made and submitted for approval.

6. The Role of Special Inspection

All primary structural materials and systems require Special Inspection when designed and
constructed under state building codes based on the International Building Code. Those Special
Inspections are key components of the public safety nature of building codes and are what allow
the Codes to provide proper safety factors without building in greater levels of conservatism that
was previously common for uninspected work. Masonry, like all structural systems, requires
Special Inspection under IBC-based codes. Special Inspections provide assurance that specified
and code mandated construction practices are followed to provide life safety for the occupancy
phase of the project. They also, however, provide the same assurance for site construction
personnel and the public that may occupy the space around masonry walls during the
construction phase. That assurance allows construction occupancy to proceed unimpeded with
non-visible, Internal Bracing methods employed. No additional inspection is required with
Internal Bracing.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 6

Section 2: Short Term Design Approach
1. General
This Guide is based on the Standard and users are required to identify additional requirements in
federal, state or local safety and construction ordinances, codes and standards that apply to their
specific project. Internal bracing is one method for providing temporary bracing for masonry
walls under construction. Internal bracing provides the temporary support for the walls during
construction while they are considered ‘unsupported.’ It is based on cantilevered performance of
the wall under construction and utilizes reduced design criteria, such as lower values for the
masonry’s compressive strength, for most masonry capacity calculations. Design requirements
and criteria for internal and external bracing are found in the Standard. The Standard and this
Guide are developed with the sole purpose of life safety. Protection of property, including the
wall or walls under construction, is not the purpose of either document although additional
design considerations for the bracing system may provide effective means to accomplish
property protection.
Figure 1, at the left, shows a
cantilevered wall with two
base doweling conditions that
influence the ability of a wall
to perform as internally
braced. The center diagram
shows a common ‘pinned’
base condition where the
foundation dowel extends
only 6 inches into the base of
the masonry wall. This
condition will provide only
minimal capacity before the
dowel embedment in the
masonry fails and the wall
becomes pinned at it base.
The right side diagram shows
a wall with a 2’-6” dowel
(full development for a #5 bar
with grout cured 24 hours).
This wall will develop
cantilevered capacity as the
grout cures and the wall
performs with base fixity and
moment continuity.
Assuming the structural
reinforcement is sized and
spaced properly, it is
internally braced!
Figure 1: Cantilevered Wall Diagram

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 7

 One key aspect of Federal OSHA and the Standard is the definition of a
Include a
‘Restricted Zone,’ although the title and description may vary slightly from
Restricted
document to document. A Restricted Zone is required to protect persons
Zone from serious injury or death in the event of a
wall failure which may be as simple as the rotation from plumb of a The Standard
wall or wall segment, a unit or two that have become dis-lodged and defines the
fallen, or a wall that has partially or fully collapsed. The Restricted Restricted Zone
Zone is necessary because the temporary bracing, whether internal or
external, is designed for wind speeds specified in the Standard that geometrically as
are lower than those required in the building codes. Because a being on both
relatively lower wind speed is used for bracing design, the masonry sides of the wall
wall could become over-stressed and possibly be subject to some for the length of
degree of failure during wind events when the actual wind velocities the wall plus four
exceed the bracing design wind velocities but are less than those of feet and extending
the code design level winds. The Standard defines the Restricted
Zone geometrically as being on both sides of the wall for the length away from the wall
of the wall plus four feet and extending away from the wall on both on both sides for
sides for the wall height plus four feet. That area is felt to cover the the wall height
impact and ‘bounce’ zone of most walls that may collapse although it plus four feet.
is important to note that a ‘Qualified Person’ may need to define
special Restricted Zones or alternative safety measures for high rise
buildings, walls where the Restricted Zone cannot be created or maintained and other situations
requiring project specific consideration. The Restricted Zone must remain in place for the full
duration of the Initial and Intermediate Periods.

Design for the In the Standard, the ‘under construction’ phase definition can be
paraphrased as the entire time between the when the masonry is first laid
Intermediate
and when the wall’s final lateral support is in place. That time period is
Period
broken into two distinct phases: The ‘Initial Period’ and the ‘Intermediate
Period’ and there are different design requirements and restrictions for each. Walls are generally
considered ‘unbraced’ in the Initial Period in that only the wall’s self weight is considered
effective in resisting overturning and flexural stresses. Because of that, walls in the Initial Period
are given prescriptive maximum heights in the Standard and evacuation of the Restricted Zone is
required at lower wind speeds. The primary focus of Internal Bracing and this Guide is bracing
to resist wind load during the Intermediate Period. The Intermediate Period is defined in the
Standard as being ‘The period of time following the Initial Period until the wall is connected to
the elements that provide its final lateral support.’ That can be interpreted as being the period
from when the masonry is more than a day old until the wall is connected to a diaphragm or
other elements that are sufficiently capable of transferring lateral force from the wall through
other elements to the foundation. The intent is that the wall be connected to a continuous lateral
system. Bar joists or beams bearing on or connected to the wall, without connection to a deck or
even when connected to a deck, without an effective shear wall or other bracing may not qualify
as ‘final lateral support’ and each project condition should be evaluated independently to
determine when the Intermediate Period ends.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 8

 2. Masonry Table 1: Important Criteria
Internal bracing of
General masonry walls under Unit Size and Properties
construction relies on base
• Nominal Width: 4", 6", 8", 10", 12",
fixity and cantilevered construction capacity 14" or 16"
throughout the wall height during the period
• Section Properties: Area, Moment of
prior to permanent lateral support. The
Inertia and Section Modulus
engineering design approach for internally
bracing masonry walls under construction can • Unit Weight (CMU - ASTM C-90):
Lightweight (Less than 105 pcf);
be broken into two primary categories:
Medium Weight (105 to 125 pcf);
unreinforced and reinforced masonry design.
Normal Weight (greater than 125
Both approaches can also be further sub- pcf)
divided into what are commonly referred to as
• Unit Net Area Compressive Strength:
high-lift and low-lift grouted walls, although
1900 psi minimum for ASTM C90
unreinforced walls are rarely grouted. The
units, often more to much more - get
common terms ‘high lift’ and ‘low lift’ don’t a block test report! (Note that the
appear in the Code and their use is somewhat minimum unit strength for concrete
inaccurate because it is really ‘high pour or low masonry units increases to 2000 psi
pour’ construction that we’re talking about – beginning with C90-12.)
pour height refers to the wall height that is
constructed prior to grout placement. We’re Mortar Type
usually looking for limiting the ungrouted wall • Type M, S or N
height as the construction progresses by using • Portland Cement/Lime, Mortar
‘low pour’ heights. The concept is to take Cement, or
advantage of strength that develops very • Masonry Cement or Air Entrained
quickly in constructed masonry (especially Portland Cement/Lime
grouted masonry) and to use that strength,
along with connection to the foundation, to Reinforcement and Grout
temporarily brace the wall rather than applying • Bar Size
an external brace system. • Dowel and Lap Lengths
As noted in Section 1, certain criteria have • Bar and Grout Spacing
significant impact on the Internal Bracing • Grout Lift and Pour Height
capacity and must be identified for each type of Mortar Placement
masonry assembly being braced. The lists to • Face Shell Bedded
the right provide a brief summary of the most
• Fully Bedded
common and influential criteria, as well as
others, that must be considered while designing
Internal Bracing.
Unreinforced walls can be temporarily braced using the Internal Bracing
Unreinforced
concept. When a wall is unreinforced the only resistance to flexure is found
Walls through the units and mortar that make up the wall assembly. Analysis must
consider axial and flexural tension and compression as well as global over-turning. Only the
mortar bond can resist flexural tension. Therefore the bracing design engineer must know the
unit size and properties, unit weight, net area unit compressive strength and mortar type and the
mortar placement to be used in construction. The analysis for unreinforced masonry Internal

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 9

Bracing is relatively simple and should employ a simple check for combined stresses due to
gravity and wind loads: P/A ± M/S. Compressive stress rarely controls Internal Bracing design,
much like most occupancy designs for masonry structures, but the engineer should always check
both conditions. Unreinforced walls are somewhat limited in the heights to which they can be
built using Internal Bracing because the weight and flexural bond strength provide only modest
capacity, especially when compared to reinforced masonry walls. Allowable flexural tensile
stress (or, for Strength Design, Modulus of Rupture) values are provided for design in the
Standard.
Adding full grout in unreinforced walls can help
when ‘low pour’ procedures are employed and Submit these options for approval
the grout is placed using ‘low lift procedures that before proceeding with final design or
allow the flexural stress values for fully grouted installation: additional weight or the
masonry to be used. Also consider submitting a filling of cores with grout could be
request for adding reinforcement and partial undesirable to the project designers…
grout if an unreinforced wall has insufficient
strength for the short term Internal Bracing loads.
Reinforced walls are the best candidates for application of Internal Bracing
Reinforced
principles due to the significant strength that the reinforcement can add as
Walls
the grout cures. If the wall reinforcement is properly doweled to the
foundation, base fixity can create the desired cantilevered performance. Once the grout has cured
either 12 or 24 hours it has been proven to have sufficient strength to transfer tension to the
reinforcement and thereby provide sufficient strength. The short term design provisions in the
Standard are modeled after those in Code except that compressive stresses or strengths are
reduced based on the reduction in masonry compressive strength. Analysis must consider axial
and flexural tension and compression as well as global over-turning. As the wall heights
increase, compression as well as foundation rotation can become a factor and should be checked.
The bracing engineer must know the unit size and properties, unit weight, net area unit
compressive strength and mortar type, the mortar placement and especially the reinforcement bar
size and spacing to be used in construction. Using the proper net area compressive strength of
masonry, in combination with the reinforcement, can provide increased benefit for resisting the
construction phase wind loads.
If the reinforcement shown in the design
documents proves insufficient for a cantilevered Submit these options for approval
wall condition, consider increasing reinforcement before proceeding with final design or
size and/or decreasing reinforcement spacing. installation: base fixity, weight or the
Reinforced masonry walls have been internally filling of additional cores could be
braced for heights in excess of sixty feet and undesirable changes…
design engineers are often open to modifying bar
sizes, spacing and even foundation dowel lengths.

3. Foundation and Soils

Foundation analysis and, more specifically, soil capacity analysis can significantly impact the
ability to use Internal Bracing. Recognizing that the demand placed on foundations is short term
only, during the braced period, allows a more generous foundation evaluation when taking a life-
safety approach: higher bearing pressures and minor potential rotation are acceptable because

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 10

property protection is not the primary goal of a bracing scheme. Conversely, utilizing standard
bearing pressures and other geotechnical criteria that are based on long-term load and settlement
concerns will limit the height to which internally braced walls can be constructed depending on
footing size and soil type.
It is recommended that higher
allowable bearing pressures be Discuss this with the project or your favorite
utilized as well as that geotechnical engineer: soil criteria will vary with
consideration be given to passive differing soil types and for different design conditions…
and active pressure for providing
resistance to foundation sliding and
rotation. Foundation design criteria presented in geotechnical reports are typically based on
controlling deflections and soil failure is rarely a concern. Safety factors on bearing pressure are
often in the range of 3.0 to 4.0 or higher, so the ‘ultimate’ bearing capacity of the soil provides
much higher capacity for short term loads.
A common approach for bracing foundation evaluation is to take the reported allowable bearing
capacity, multiply it by 3.0 and then factor it down by some smaller reduction factor such as 25%
to obtain the design pressure. As an example: a 2000 psf allowable soil bearing pressure is
probably based on a failure capacity of greater than 6000 psf so conservatively start there then
reduce that by 25% to 4500 psf for short term foundation and soil load analysis related to the
bracing system.

Remember:
The objective of Internal Bracing design is keeping the wall up during
construction and long enough to provide time for evacuation during
a wind event! Serviceability and protection of property is not the
intended outcome when bracing is designed to the Standard.
Internal bracing can, however, be effective for maintaining
serviceability after a wind event by designing to higher or even
occupancy level wind speeds.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 11

Section 3: Internal Bracing Design
1. Analysis
Initial Period During the Initial Period the mortar, and grout where applicable, have not
gained sufficient strength to resist load. The walls have only their self
Design
weight available to resist overturning and flexure. As noted above, masonry
walls are not considered to be braced during the Initial Period. There isn’t really, then, design to
be done… but there are limits to adhere to. Chapter 4 of the Standard contains two provisions:
evacuate the Restricted Zone whenever the wind speed exceeds 20 miles per hour and the height
of masonry above the base or highest line of support shall not exceed that shown in Table 4.2.
The values in Table 4.2 are actually based on a 22 mph wind velocity to provide a little buffer
between the evacuation wind speed and the speed at which the short term allowables may be
exceeded leading to over-stress or over-load conditions. Table 4.2 is based on the lightest
masonry unit density listed in the heading for the three primary columns. It is, therefore,
increasingly conservative as unit density increases within the groupings and it may be beneficial
to conduct analysis using the project specific unit density. The three main columns are sub-
divided into ungrouted hollow unit data and solid and fully grouted hollow unit data and it is
important to note that interpolation is allowed for partially grouted masonry. A bracing plan
should incorporate height limits for all new masonry based on the Initial Period requirements
given in Chapter 4 of the Standard.

Intermediate Masonry can spend a significant amount of time in the Intermediate Period,
depending on when floor and roof decks are installed and when the final
Period Design
lateral system is fully implemented. It’s a good thing, then, that masonry
begins gaining strength and can often provide its own support for resisting short term loads
during construction. During the Intermediate Period, the Restricted Zone must be evacuated
when the wind speed exceed 35 miles per hour. That evacuation wind speed is coupled with a
design wind speed of 40 miles per hour to, again, provide a time buffer to facilitate evacuation.
Masonry in the Intermediate Period is characterized by being either unreinforced or reinforced.
Unreinforced masonry will resist over-turning and flexure through a combination of self-weight
and flexural stress or strength. Reinforced masonry can provide significant internal bracing
capacity through self-weight and the tension-compression couple developed between the
masonry and reinforcement. See Section 2.2 for a discussion of the design approaches.

Remember:
Reinforced masonry must have the reinforcement and grout installed
AND the grout must have cured either 12 hours or 24 hours,
depending on the length of lap splices employed. If the grout has not
cured sufficiently, analyze the wall as unreinforced as noted above
until the grout has cured.

Chapter 5 of the Standard provides in-depth requirements for Strength and Allowable Stress
designs. Appendix A of the Standard provides tabulated summaries of values for certain block
sizes and mortar types and is a nice place to gather quick design solutions for many bracing

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 12

needs. Note, however, that the tables are based on lightweight units and will be conservative for
most masonry constructed in the field. Tables A1.a through A1.c provide maximum heights for
unreinforced masonry walls and Tables A2.a through A2.c provide them for walls reinforced
with #5 bars at 48 inches on center. Separate tables are provided for maximum unsupported
height above the base or support, between braces and above the top brace. The tables use fully
uniform loads for the maximum unsupported height but then switch to using an ‘effective strip’
approach once the braces are added. The tables assume that six times the thickness of the
masonry wall will act with the brace to create a vertical spanning element that receives load from
the remaining masonry spanning horizontally between the strips and as cantilevers of the
effective strips above the braces. Efficient design can also employ distribution of some of the
load to the foundation or support through 2-way action. One reference for calculating this is
provided in NCMA TEK 14-3A including the graph in Figure 1.
Unreinforced masonry analysis for Internal Bracing design is readily implemented through hand
calculations and spreadsheets but it is more difficult to implement through proprietary software
because the software typically includes preset values for allowable flexural stress or modulus of
rupture. Software designs can be achieved by working to lower thresholds when comparing
calculated stresses or loads to allowable stresses or factored strength.
Reinforced masonry analysis for Internal Bracing design can also be achieved through hand
calculations and spreadsheets but will have a higher degree of complication and may require
iteration. Fortunately, software solutions can be more easily obtained than those for
unreinforced masonry. Most software packages allow the masonry net area compressive strength
to be set by the user so the appropriate value can be entered for the Intermediate Period. Because
the steel can be fully developed once the grout has cured 12 or 24 hours, no change is needed for
the tension portion of the analysis.

Eliminate the Another point worth discussing is that of eliminating the Restricted Zone.
This can be a great tool when the Restricted Zone extends into roadways or
Restricted
pedestrian walkways that cannot be closed or easily protected. It can also
Zone
prove highly beneficial when the Restricted Zone extends over adjacent
building spaces that must remain occupied during construction. The basic premise for
eliminating the Restricted Zone is to design the Internal Bracing for wind loads based on the full
design level wind speed. Because the wind pressure will increase with the square of the wind
velocity, the pressures will be much greater than those for the standard Intermediate Period wind
speed. For example, the design pressure for a 90 mile per hour wind will be 20.7 pounds per
square foot compared with 4.1 psf for the 40 mile per hour Intermediate Period wind. Note that
bracing designers could implement a risk based approach through documents such as ASCE 37
where comparable exceedance probability could yield wind velocity and/or pressure less than
that. Higher design wind velocities and the resulting higher pressures will more frequently
require modifications to the occupancy design requirements including reinforcement quantity
and possibly foundation size. Evaluate the requirements and the cost effectiveness of
implementing Internal Bracing then submit the changes for approval by the designers of record.

2. Deliverables
Once an Internal Bracing scheme has been evaluated and designed, it is
Communication
important to properly and fully represent that design through verbal and
Tools
graphic documentation. Such documentation provides the mason

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 13

contractor’s field staff with explicit information regarding sequencing of construction and
Restricted Zones as well as foundation, masonry and reinforcement requirements so that the
design may be competently executed. Those same documents also provide opportunities for
review by the prime contractor so that the masonry construction and bracing effect on the site
and schedule can be understood and planned for as well as by the designers of record in case
variations from the occupancy design are included. The bracing documentation also provides
supplemental information for Special Inspectors
to use as the basis for their inspections. Bracing Plan Content
One key element of an
Written Content Written Summary
Internal Bracing plan is
the written portion. This part of the bracing • All base assumptions and conditions
plan can provide the base assumptions and such as:
requirements for a plan represented graphically • Material properties
in drawings or, for simple projects, could • Unit strength
provide the entire bracing plan. The verbal plan • Resulting f'm and the related f'i
should first include a summary of all
• Unit size and density
assumptions and conditions used by the bracing
• Reinforcement and grouting
designer when analyzing the Internal Bracing
design. The content should include material • Mortar type and placement
properties, foundation and soils criteria, • Required dowel and lap lengths
masonry construction sequencing and any • Grout pour and lift heights
assumptions relative to surrounding • Masonry construction sequence
construction or site sequencing that were • Restricted zone summary and
utilized in the bracing design. sequence
The other, and probably • Foundation size and reinforcement
Graphic Content confirmation or modification
more familiar, portion of
a bracing plan is the graphic content. For • Soils criteria
Internal Bracing this may simply be foundation,
and possibly framing plans, showing the walls Graphic Representation
and identifying the Restricted Zone. The • Plan view of all masonry walls to be
plan(s) should include basic dimensions, notes braced
regarding sequencing of the masonry • Graphic representation of the
construction and Restricted Zone Restricted Zone including:
implementation and should clearly show the • dimensions
Restricted Zone. The Restricted Zone • wall signage location
delineation, in plan form, could go so far as to • ground signage location
show ground and wall sign locations that will • Control joint location
clarify the signage requirements and make the
• Intersecting walls and corners used
zone delineation easier to install and maintain.
as buttresses
Another critical item that should be shown in
the bracing drawings is the locations of control • Changes to the occupancy design
drawings that were accepted
joints. Control joints can significantly impact
wall performance by breaking horizontal • Consider elevation views for showing
continuity. Intersecting walls and corners that bar placement and lap locations
are used as buttresses for horizontal spans • Consider sections and details for
should be clearly identified so they are properly showing specific requirements

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 14

constructed and sequenced. Elevations and sections or details can also be used to show
important information, especially with regard to areas around openings and other points of
discontinuity in the masonry. In the event that some portion of the project will require external
braces, those also should be shown along with connectors and ground anchors. The plans can be
made as mark-ups to the occupancy design plans or may be plans created by the bracing designer
or mason contractor. Sample graphics, notes and a legend are shown in Figure 2, below, and
illustrate some of the requisite items as utilized for this particular project. Finally, when changes
have been proposed and accepted that modify the construction requirements shown in the
occupancy design drawings, those changes must be clearly represented in the bracing plan
including material requirements, sections and details as appropriate.

Figure 2: Sample Bracing Plan Graphics, Notes and Legend

Reprinted with permission of Dailey Engineering, Onsted, MI

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 15

Section 4: Design Examples
The following two design examples will apply Internal Bracing concepts from the Guide using
two different software packages. The software selected for these examples are a component
design package - Structural Masonry Design System (SMDS), produced by NCMA and a 3-D
Finite Element design package - Ram Elements (RE), produced by Bentley Systems. While these
two software packages are not the exclusive means to analyze masonry bracing designs, they
receive much input from masonry experts in their continuing development, are well known and
trusted. The input and methods shown in the examples should still be applicable, even if the
reader uses a different software package.
The basic criteria for each problem considered will be the same including
Basic Criteria
occupancy designs based on the 2009 International Building Code,
Intermediate Period designs based on the 2012 Standard, a 24’-8” length, occupancy designs
with pinned bases (short reinforcement dowels only), specified f’m of 1,500 psi, Type S Masonry
Cement mortar, occupancy wind pressure of 15.0 psf, Intermediate Period wind pressure of
4.096 psf, and standard lap lengths. For our Internal Bracing concept, we’ll need dowels with
sufficient lap to generate a full lap length at the top of the foundation – submit that change, to the
Engineer of Record through an RFI or other methods, before proceeding with design.
The SMDS example will execute an Internal Bracing design for a 28’-0”
1. SMDS*1
tall, 12” CMU wall designed using the occupancy criteria noted above and
utilizing #6 bars at 40” on center.
The RE example will execute an Internal Bracing design for a 20’-0” tall,
2. RE*2
8” CMU wall designed using the occupancy criteria noted above and
utilizing #5 bars at 32” on center.

Remember:
If you plan to vary from ANY occupancy design provisions included
in the project drawings or specifications – submit those changes in
writing through an RFI or other appropriate device AND receive
approval PRIOR to proceeding with Internal Bracing design.

Remember:
Most Internal Bracing designs will be controlled by compression in
the masonry due flexure plus axial load (once base fixity has been
established).

*1
Structural Masonry Design System, CMS10V5, National Concrete Masonry Association, 2010
*2
Ram Elements V8i, v13.0.2, Bentley Systems, Incorporated, 2012

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 16

 1. Component Software (Structural Masonry Design System, V5.0.1)
Begin by selecting
Design Basis
‘Design Basis’
Menu
from either the
menu bar pull downs or the appropriate
icon button. Then set the proper design
parameters, beginning with the first tab
and working left to right through the
applicable tabs.
Start with the
Design Codes
‘Design Codes’
Tab
tab and set the
Code – choose 2009 IBC since the
analytical requirements from the
Standard are based on the masonry
content of that code. We’ll do
Allowable Stress Design, but Strength Figure 3: Design Basis Menu – Codes tab
Design can also be used as noted in the Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.
Standard. And, finally, select Concrete
masonry as specified in the basic criteria.
Then move to the
Concrete ‘Concrete
Masonry Tab Masonry Tab’.
The unit
characteristics are acceptable for this
example but use appropriate values
based on the project units. Then make
adjustments to the ‘Mortar and Grout’
criteria – in this case the default values
are consistent with the problem
parameters. The default method for
‘Method for masonry strength’ must be
adjusted from ‘Unit Strength Method’ to
‘Prism Test Method’ and then the f’m
value must be adjusted down to reflect
the Intermediate Period requirement of
f’i equaling one half of the f’m value, in Figure 4: Design Basis Menu – Concrete Masonry tab
Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.
this case 750 psi.

Remember:
The Standard allows the use of full steel capacity after grout has cured
24 hours with the specified standard lap lengths.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 17

Since there are no other criteria changes required, we’re now ready to click ‘OK’ and move on to
the bracing condition analysis.
Begin analysis by selecting ‘Wall
Design (Out-of-Plane Loads)’ from the
pull down menus or the ‘Wall Design—
Out-of-Plane’ icon from the available
buttons and begin the bracing design.
Make sure that the
Design Data Tab
correct Code is
showing and return to ‘Design Basis’ to
make any necessary changes. Then
make any other adjustments required
under ‘Design Criteria’ – in this case the
default boundary conditions need to be
changed from ‘Simply Supported Wall’
to ‘Cantilevered Wall.’ Then click the
check-box to turn on ‘Compute using
load data.’
Next, under ‘Reinforcement’ change the
selection from the default #4 bars to the
occupancy design specified #6 bars.
Figure 5: Out of Plane Wall Design – Design Data tab
Finally, under ‘Display Results,’ change Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.
the ‘Design Calculations’ to ‘Interaction
Diagram’ and leave the ‘Family’ setting
at ‘None’ because we’re only checking
the design spacing at this point.
Don’t click ‘OK’ yet, move to the
‘Construction Data’ tab.
Here we need to
Construction enter the design
Data Tab data from the
specified occupancy design. Edit the
Wall masonry units to reflect the 12”
units. Under ‘Wall construction
dimensions,’ enter the design height of
28’-0”. Do not change the ‘x’ value
from its default setting at the wall center.
Then, under ‘Wall construction and
spacing’ change the bar spacing to the
specified 40” on center. Adjust the
‘Construction’ data for grout and bond if
the specified design is different from
‘Partial grout, running bond.’ Figure 6: Out of Plane Wall Design – Construction Data tab
Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.
Don’t click ‘OK’ yet, move to the
‘Load Data’ tab.
Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 18
 On this, the third
Load Data Tab
and final, tab we
have only one set
of changes to make: Go to the ‘Wind’
tab and make the required input for our
Intermediate Period wind load. Enter
4.096 in both the W1 and W2 data boxes.
The wall will be loaded over its full
height, so check to make sure that the
height, in inches, is properly shown in
the ‘h2’ data box.
That’s it – now click ‘OK!’

Figure 7: Out of Plane Wall Design – Load Data tab

Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.

Unfortunately,
Failed Solution
what you’ll see is
that there are a
couple data points outside the interaction
diagram’s capacity curve – this is not a
good solution. Now it’s time to evaluate
options while trying to find an
acceptable Internal Bracing solution.
Possible options include larger bars,
closer bar spacing and increased
masonry strength.
Don’t give up – we have options! See
the next page….

Figure 8: Analysis Results – Interaction Diagram Showing

Insufficient Capacity
Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 19

 Options Because the masonry compressive capacity
typically limits Intermediate Period masonry Block
design, because the output data points are at or near the compressive manufacturers in
stress limit and because the flexural capacity will also increase with most of the country
increased masonry strength, let’s look at the value of f’i that was
input for the f’m back in ‘Design Basis.’ Recall that the occupancy
regularly produce
design documents specified an f’m of 1,500 psi and our bracing units with
design was required to use 50% of that value, or 750 psi. Block compressive
manufacturers in most of the country regularly produce units with strengths well in
compressive strengths well in excess of the ASTM C90 minimum, excess of the
let’s take advantage of that. Check with the supplier being used by ASTM C90
the masonry contractor or with those being considered and ask about
their standard unit strengths. You will probably find unit strengths
minimum, let’s
at least in the high 2,000’s, probably in the 3,000’s and often in take advantage of
excess of 4,000 psi. that.

Final Solution For this example,

we find that a
simple change of f’m from half of 1,500
psi to half of 2,500 psi (unit compressive
strength of 3,750 psi) provides
acceptable results. So, go back to
‘Design Basis’ and under the Concrete
Masonry tab, change f’m to 1,250 psi to
properly represent half of the actual
masonry compressive strength of 2,500
psi.
Click OK.

Figure 9: Return to Design Basis – Modify masonry strength

Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 20

Then, go to the ‘Edit Design’ option under the pull-down menu or with the icon button, without
making any other changes and…
Click OK.
No changes were made and we have a
final solution that works!
You’ll clearly see that the data points all
now comfortably fall within the capacity
curve. By using the available unit
strength rather than the lower, specified
strength we now have an acceptable
solution! Also, note that the
reinforcement bar size and spacing that
satisfied the occupancy demand in a
pinned-pinned configuration also
satisfies the temporary bracing demand
for the Internal Bracing concept.

Figure 10: Analysis Results – Interaction Diagram Showing

Sufficient Capacity
Reprinted with Permission of National Concrete Masonry Association.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 21

 2. Finite Element (Ram Elements)
Begin by opening Ram Elements. The software will open into its 3-D modeling window. You
could construct a wall in this environment using nodes and shells but we’re going to conduct our
work in the ‘Wall Module’ where simple walls, even those with openings, can be modeled.
But, first….
Create New Don’t go to the
Material ‘Wall Module,’
yet. We need an
appropriate material to work with and
that needs to be created in the main RE
window. Remember, the reinforcement
capacity can be fully considered with
normal lap lengths once the grout has
cured at least 24 hours – no change to
the steel properties are required. A
proper masonry material, to represent
the Intermediate Period masonry, must
be created. Under the ‘Home’ tab, go to
the ‘Material’ database and create a new
material. You may base your new Figure 11: Data Input Field - Masonry Properties
material off of one of RE’s existing Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated
materials by copying one, pasting it into your user briefcase and then editing the title and
appropriate properties. The only properties that must be changed are the ‘Modulus of elasticity’
and the ‘Ultimate compressive stress f’m’. Choose appropriate values for the f’i that you’ll be
using then make and save the changes. The graphic shows appropriate saved values for an f’i of
750 psi (for f’m = 1,500 psi). You may also want to change the ‘Unit weight’ value, depending
on the actual weight of your masonry assembly (unit and grout considered together).
Now we’re ready to click on ‘Modules’ and select ‘Standalone’ from the ‘Walls’ section. There,
select ‘Masonry’ and the masonry wall module will open.
First, select the
Code and appropriate
Geometry Data design code. For
this example we
will use the 2008 TMS 402 masonry
code which is what the 2009 IBC
incorporates by reference and will most
closely match the approach used in the
prior example. Note that additional
efficiencies may be found by using the
2011 ASD provisions when appropriate
or with approval of the building official.
Then make the appropriate changes to
the ‘Geometry’ criteria including
height, length, block size and especially Figure 12: Data Input Field - Geometry
Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 22

‘Fixity at foundation level’ and ‘Level restraints.’ We need to utilized ‘Fixed’ base conditions
and remove the support at the roof level by changing the setting to ‘None.’ The changes should
show up in the graphics window.

Materials Data Next, we need to

change the
materials to match our Intermediate
Period design. First, change the
‘Material’ to the newly created masonry
material – in this case we’re using the
one created above for CMU with an f’m
of 1,500 psi and an f’i of 750 psi. Make
changes to the mortar, grouting and
bedding criteria, also, as required. Figure 13: Data Input Field - Masonry Criteria
Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated
Load Data Now it’s time to
apply our loads –
no changes are required except to enter
our Intermediate Period wind load in the
‘Pressure Load’ data box under ‘Lateral
out-of-plane loads.’ So click on
‘Loads’ next to ‘Pressure load’ and
enter the 4.096 psf required for the
Intermediate Period.

Figure 14: Data Input Field - Loads

Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 23

 Design Data Finally, make
adjustments to
the default data
under ‘Design data.’ Begin by turning
off the check-boxes for all ‘Elements to
design’ except for ‘Bearing walls.’
Leave the check for ‘Reinforced walls’
and keep ‘One’ for ‘Reinforcement
layers.’ Designing to ‘Bar size’ is
appropriate since we’re trying to match
the occupancy design but you could
also change ‘Design criterion’ to
Figure 15: Data Input Field – Design Data
‘Spacing’ if you’d like to see what bar Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated
size would be required at the design
spacing. And, finally, select the appropriate bar size – a #5 for our purposes.

Analysis Now it’s time to check our design. You can click ‘Optimize’ and let the
software determine the best bar spacing or size to fit your input data or
click ‘Check’ to get a pass-fail analysis on the specific size and spacing that were input. Let’s
click ‘Optimize’ for this project and see what happens. We first note the ‘green light’ in the
lower right corner indicating that an appropriate solution was found. We can view the specifics
of that solution in ‘Detailing’at the top menu bar or click ‘Report.’ I prefer to see a full report
including stress ratios and other data, so
let’s click ‘Report.’ The key data is on
the second page of the report and shows
that the wall can be made to work in a
cantilevered condition, but would
require #5’s at 8” on center. While that
could be an alternative design to
consider, it requires bars much closer
than the specified 32” on center and
would need to be submitted for a
change. Based on cost and practicality Figure 16: Analysis Report – Good bar size, excessive bar spacing
Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated
it’s probably not the best solution!

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 24

 So, we need to
Re-Analysis and
make some
Final Solution adjustments to
this Internal Bracing design, also. See
the notes in Section 1, above, regarding
possible ways to increase the strength
sufficiently. For this example we’ll also
look to a more realistic value of f’m and
f’i rather than the specified 1,500 psi.
By adjusting only the f’m, from 750 to Figure 17: Analysis Report – Good bar size and spacing
1,250 psi, we again find that this internal Reprinted from Ram Elements V8i with permission of Bentley Systems Incorporated
wall bracing design can work in a cantilevered condition with the bar size and spacing specified
for the pinned-pinned occupancy design.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 25

Section 5: Concluding Remarks
Masonry walls must be braced while they are under construction to provide safety to
construction workers and other persons that may occupy the space adjacent to those walls. The
Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction provides the engineering
basis for analyzing bracing methods for masonry walls under construction. The two most
common methods are the more historical ‘external’ bracing and the newer ‘internal’ bracing
concept. Internal bracing utilizes the strength provided by the wall as it is being constructed
without relying on external components. Cooperation with, and collaboration between, bracing
design engineers, mason contractors and controlling contractors or construction managers are
critical and can yield highly efficient Internal Bracing schemes with significant benefit to
projects in terms of safety, schedule and cost. This Guide has provided information and
direction, gained through experience by the author and others experienced in the design of
Internal Bracing for masonry walls. It includes application examples to assist bracing designers
in understanding and applying this engineered method. It is hoped that users will employ this
method and the content of this Guide to efficiently design Internal Bracing for masonry walls
under construction.

Copyright © 2013 of International Masonry Institute 26