IBC 1604.8.2 Masonry Anchorage

[kennyb04]

We have a store with a PreEngineered Metal building structure on the inside connected to masonry load bearing shearwalls on the outside. We are using full grout on the masonry walls with vertical bars at 24" o.c. and horizontal bond beams at 24" o.c. The PEMB connects to the masonry structure with post installed epoxy anchor bolts. Due to the various PEMB attachement elevations, some anchors will hit a bond beam containing reinforcing and others will hit cells with no reinforcing (altough still grouted).

IBC 1604.8.2 (using the 2012 edition) states "Required anchors in masonry walls of hollow units or cavity walls shall be embedded in a reinforced grouted structural element of the wall." I read this a couple different ways and would like some others to share how they interpret this.

1. "Reinforced grouted structural element" referes to the area of the wall. Even though some anchors are embed into grout, but not a reinforced bond beam, it is still ok because there is reinforcement in the area.

2. "Reinforced grouted structural element of the wall". Each bond beam is a structural element of the wall, so each anchor location needs to have rebar in the wall. The problem is that we have a ledger angle at the end running at a slope. This would mean the top 1/3 of our wall would have a reinforced bond beam at every 8" vertical course instead of every 3 courses. Does this sound correct. It seems like a lot of overkill so I would like to get some other opinions on code interpretation.

I think part of the confusion is what defines the "structural element of the wall". Is the entire wall a structural element? Is each bond beam a structural element? Is each block a structural element? Attached is a few general connection details with comments. Thanks for any input.

 

[JedClampett]

Why don't you just add reinforcing to the cells you're anchoring to and take the question out of it?
As far as it being overkill, make the reinforcing #4's if that makes you feel better.

 

[DST148]

@kennyb04> Q #1- Ref IBC 2006, section 1620.3.1: diaphragm-to-wall anchorage using embedded straps shall be attached to or hooked around the reinforcing steel or otherwise terminated so as to directly transfer force to the reinforcing steel. The code here is referring to embedded(pre-installed) anchors. The masonry, either hollow or grouted, should be capable of spanning between the anchors.
For post-installed anchors, the cell containing the anchor is typically grouted. Anchor does not have to be located only in the cells containing either vertical or horizontal reinforcing.
Q #2: The bond beam does not have to be every 8" as you have mentioned.

 

[hokie66]

Your whole wall is reinforced and grouted. Why make simple things complicated?