ACI 520-05/TMS 4-02/ASCE 5-05 (i.e. masonry code) defines a column as "an isolated vertical member" with no horiz dim greater than 3 times its thickness, and its height is greater than 4 times its thickness. There is a limit on how much axial stress is placed on a "column." lateral ties shall be 1/4" in diameter, and spacing shall not exceed 16 longitudinal bar diameters, 48 lateral tie diameters, or the minimum cross-sectional dimension of the member...
HTH
On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 2:46 PM, Bill Allen <t.w.allen@cox.net> wrote:
Are all vertical load supporting elements columns when it comes to masonry?
Specifically, I have a 16" square pilaster supporting a trellis. The plan checker considers this element a column and is insisting that I provide ties at 8". I contend that the pilaster is primarily a flexural member and that fa/F'm is very, very small. I seem to recall this in the concrete section (P<=0.10f'cAg or something like that), but I don't really see a definition of a column in the masonry section of the code. Of course, I don't yet have TMS 402, so I'm kind of flying blind.
Any clarifications would be appreciated.
Regards,
T. William (Bill) Allen, S.E.
Consulting Structural Engineers
V (949) 248-8588 • F(949) 209-2509
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David Topete, SE