Masonry reinforcement FAQ

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1. Why should I add masonry reinforcement? 

2. Can I use any type of reinforcement to any type of masonry?

3. How do I adjust Murfor® Compact to the wall width? 

4. How do I apply Murfor® Compact? 

5. For what applications can I use Murfor® Compact I ? 

   5.1 stress concentrations

   5.2 Long walls 

   5.3 Point loads 

   5.4 Partition walls susceptible to deformation

   5.5 Stack bonded masonry

   5.6 Corner and T-connections

   5.7 Laterally loaded wall panels

6. For what applications can I use Murfor® Compact E?

   6.1 Stress concentrations 

   6.2 Long walls 

   6.3 Gables 

   6.4 Differential settlements 

   6.5 Facade support  

   6.6 Stack bonded masonry

   6.7 Laterally loaded wall panels

   6.8 Masonry beam design 

   6.9 Claustra masonry 

7. How do I anchor the masonry? 

8. How do I place the water retaining membrane?

9. Is Murfor® Compact ETA certified? 

Masonry has high compressive strength and low tensile strength. Adding reinforcement enhances the structural performance and strength of the masonry by increasing its in- and out-plane capacities. This increases crack control in the structure. 
Reinforcement benefits both structural and traditional masonry. 

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Any reinforcement is better than no reinforcement. However, if your masonry is to last at least a couple of decades it is important to choose a type of masonry reinforcement that is adapted to the environment in which the structure is located and the materials from which it is build.  

Bekaert offers two types of Murfor® Compact: 

• Murfor® Compact I for use in a dry environment (MX1). 
• Murfor® Compact E for masonry exposed to a damp environment (MX3 and MX4).

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Murfor® Compact is available in two convenient widths that can be matched to any brick width. Contact us for more detailed information. 

Murfor® Compact I

Murfor® Compact E

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Stress concentrations around window openings can be absorbed by applying two layers of Murfor® Compact I above and below the window.

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Shrinkage or expansion of materials can lead to cracks in the masonry. Murfor® Compact I allows for larger gaps between movement joints.

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Point loads, e.g., ball joints, are highly concentrated loads that cause tensile stress and cracks in the masonry. Using a concrete beam as support interferes with the homogeneous character of the masonry. 

Depending on the volume of the load, three to five of the underlying joints can be reinforced with Murfor® Compact I. The reinforcement ensures the even distribution of the load. It is important to check that the contact stress between the point load and the masonry is smaller than or equal to the calculated value of the compressive strength of the masonry. 

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Partition walls on a floor plate will start to crack in different places where there is too much sagging. To prevent this, you can reinforce and isolate the wall from the support with Murfor® Compact I.

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Murfor® Compact I guarantees stability of the masonry with and without a stack bond. For masonry with a stack bond, the bricks are placed directly above each other, meaning reinforcement is essential for wall stability. With masonry without overlaps, reinforcement is required to compensate for insufficient bending bonding.

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Murfor® Compact I reinforcement, combined with Murfor® EFC/Z wall angle elements provide the perfect corner connection. Finish corners with 140 mm wide blocks with Murfor® Compact I-100. Corners with 200 mm wide blocks should be finished with 2 x Murfor® Compact I-50.

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Wind loaded walls Murfor® Compact allows longer or thinner wall partitions that can withstand high wind loads. Retaining walls Cellar walls, retaining walls or silo walls are exposed to considerable stresses from lateral loading. Murfor® Compact increases the loading capacity of the wall span between the columns.

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Murfor® Compact E provides additional reinforcement in places with high stress concentration: 

• With level differences
• At the wall base 
• Above window and door opening
• Under window sills Murfor® Compact E

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Shrinkage or expansion of materials can lead to cracks in the masonry. Murfor® Compact E allows for larger gaps between movement joints. These larger distances depend on: 

• Type and color of the facing brick
• Type of mortar or glue
• Type of joint 
• Age of the bricks
• Orientation 
• Temperature at implementation
• Type of obstacle

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Improve the stability of gables by reinforcing a joint every 300 mm with Murfor® Compact E. If the gables are more than 8 m high it is recommended to reinforce every 200 mm with Murfor® Compact E. Always take the recommendations for long walls into account.

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Masonry on partly hardened soil or uneven terrain is susceptible to deformations and stresses. This is why it is recommended to reinforce the masonry.

Recommended reinforcement: 

• Reinforce the first 5 joints and foundation with Murfor® Compact E. 
• Reinforce masonry located higher up every 400 mm

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Prevent cracks by reinforcing one or two joints above the facade support with Murfor® Compact E.

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Reinforce the masonry every 300 mm with Murfor® Compact E to compensate the insufficient bonding in stacked masonry.

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Murfor® Compact allows longer or thinner wall partitions that can withstand high wind loads.

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Masonry beams with Murfor® Compact E absorb the bending moments over windows and doors. They can be used with soldier- or stretcher course. 

Note:

• These beams are only suitable for non-bearing masonry, using normal masonry bonding. 
• The mortar quality requires minimal compressive strength of M5 and a minimal bond strength of 0.20 N/mm².

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Murfor® Compact E is available in different widths and it is extremely flexible in use, which means that it is the perfect reinforcement for claustra masonry.

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• Create an anchor of at least 50 cm long.
• Apply at least 15 mm of mortar below and on top of Murfor® Compact when placing it on the joint.

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Murfor® Compact is ETA 18/0316 certified for structural use, which allows products to achieve CE marking. The CE mark proves that the product is tested and meets the European requirements for safety, health and environmental protection. It applies to products manufactured in the European Economic Area (EEA) and products that are manufactured outside and then marketed in the EEA.

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