Influence of restrainer bar chairs on the compression and flexural behaviour of reinforced masonry walls

Lateral restrainers are traditionally provided in reinforced masonry (RM) walls to prevent the vertical steel bars from buckling. In current version of Australian Masonry Standards (AS 3700–2018), use lateral RM is relaxed, if rebars surrounded by grout annulus twice diameter bars. However, it challenging maintain verticality reinforcing block cores satisfy requirement without restrainers. To address this challenge, restrainer bar chairs can be used construction which easier employ comparison ties. implications adopting as an alternative ties wall not well verified. study, influence and conventional restraining methods on axial compression out-of-plane bending characteristics have been investigated. total, twelve dimensions 1390 mm height × 590 length 190 thickness were constructed tested, which, four each tested under concentric eccentric four-point bending. The experimental results revealed that performance with similar, terms observed failure modes, strength, load–displacement obtained both loading conditions. Strain measurements indicated a composite action was ensued configurations. capacities also verified three different standards provisions found adequate reasonable safety. Overall, concluded effectively enable quick accurate positioning ensure around them.