BS EN 1996: Eurocode 6 – Design of Masonry Structures is part of the suite of European Standards known as the Eurocodes, which are used for the design of buildings and civil engineering works. Eurocode 6 focuses on the design of masonry structures, providing guidelines and requirements for ensuring the safety and performance of structures made from masonry materials such as brick, block, and stone.
Here are key details about BS EN 1996: Eurocode 6:
1. Parts of Eurocode 6
Eurocode 6 is divided into several parts, each covering different aspects of masonry design:
- EN 1996-1-1: General rules for buildings
- EN 1996-1-2: Structural fire design
- EN 1996-2: Design considerations for walls
- EN 1996-3: Simplified rules for design and calculation
- EN 1996-4: Rules for precast masonry
2. Scope and Application
Eurocode 6 provides the principles and requirements for the design of masonry structures in buildings and civil engineering works, including:
- Wall design
- Column design
- Slab design
- Lintels and beams
- Foundations and supporting elements
- Mixed masonry designs with other materials (e.g., concrete, steel)
It applies to the design of masonry structures subject to various loads and environmental conditions, with emphasis on safety, durability, and serviceability.
3. Design Principles
The design principles are based on:
- Limit state design: Ensuring the structure remains safe under expected loads and conditions, both in normal and extreme situations (e.g., during fire, seismic events).
- Material properties: The standard defines material strengths for different types of masonry and how they should be used in design.
- Safety and serviceability: Ensuring that the structure is both strong and functional, without excessive deformation or cracking.
4. Key Design Considerations
Some important design aspects covered in Eurocode 6 include:
- Load considerations: Different types of loads (dead, live, wind, snow, etc.) are considered in the design of masonry structures.
- Masonry unit properties: The code specifies how to consider the properties of masonry units (e.g., compressive strength, modulus of elasticity) and mortar.
- Strength classes: Masonry materials are categorized into different strength classes based on their performance, which must be taken into account in the design.
- Compressive design of walls: The design of masonry walls is a significant focus of Eurocode 6, including calculations for axial load, bending, and shear.
5. Simplified Methods
Eurocode 6 also offers simplified methods for the design of certain types of masonry structures, such as those involving standard masonry units and typical wall configurations, which can simplify calculations for small or less complex projects.
6. Fire Design (EN 1996-1-2)
Fire resistance is another key consideration in masonry design. Eurocode 6 includes specific provisions for designing masonry structures to withstand fire exposure, ensuring structural integrity for a defined period during a fire.
7. Durability and Environmental Exposure
Eurocode 6 includes provisions to ensure that masonry structures will have a long service life, taking into account environmental exposure conditions (e.g., freeze-thaw, sulfate attack) that can affect the durability of masonry materials.
8. Interaction with Other Eurocodes
Eurocode 6 must be used in conjunction with other relevant Eurocodes, such as:
- Eurocode 1: Actions on structures (loads)
- Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures (if masonry interacts with concrete elements)
- Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures (if masonry interacts with steel)
- Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design (for foundations)
9. National Annex
In the UK, the application of Eurocode 6 is modified by the National Annex (BS EN 1996-1-1:2005+A1:2012), which provides country-specific values and recommendations, including material properties and safety factors.
BS EN 1996: Eurocode 6 provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring that masonry structures are safe, durable, and functional across a range of conditions and design scenarios. It is widely used in the UK and other European countries for the design of all types of masonry structures, from simple buildings to complex civil engineering projects.suring the reliability and safety of steel structures, whether for new builds or retrofits, and aligns with the broader European framework for structural design.d durability into the design of concrete structures.
