Masonry Beaming (Bed Joint Reinforcement)
Masonry beaming, also referred to as bed joint reinforcement, is used to distribute applied loads and enhance the tensile, shear and flexural capacity of walls where masonry has lost its load bearing capacity or where additional support is required.
Masonry beams are created by inserting two parallel length of lengths of helical bar into the bed-joints of two brick courses at predetermined heights.
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 conjunction with other masonry and structural repair techniques such as retrofit wall ties, lateral restraint, cross-wall pinning and underpinning.
Masonry Beaming - Method Statement