Core Filled Reinforced Masonry Building Codes & Rules

- Learn key principles for building solid masonry walls that prevent leaks, dampness, and condensation. Maximise durability and performance with expert tips.

RC Slab

Sealant

Tooled Joint

Deflection Gap & Tie to

Structural Engineer's Detail

Tools™ Best Practice

Storm Mould^{Tools™ Best Practice}

Sealant to Frame & Reveal
Colour matched Rivet fix to Frame

Masonry Durability

Informative

Interior Finish^Informative

Lining on Furring as Specified
Board insulation system

Sub-Head sealed to Lintel

Ceiling Finish

CMU

Durability

Location affects the risk for corrosion^[1]

Durability RULES

NCC 2022 V7

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, & HP 5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, 5.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, 5.2}
Map below for durability class of^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}
Masonry
Mortar
Built-in components (eg. Ties & Lintels)
For durability class, please see Masonry Durability Tool

AS 3700:2018, 5.3

Location affects the risk for corrosion^{AS 3700:2018, 5.3}

DPC

Grout

Weatherproof

Finish Coat

Cement Plaster

Base Coat

NCC 2022 HP, 4.2.9 (a)

≥20^{NCC 2022 HP, 4.2.9 (a)}

Lintel Block

Sealant Joint

Manufacturer's Recommendation

CMAA 2019 CM01, 10.1

Control Joint Filling^{Manufacturer's RecommendationCMAA 2019 CM01, 10.1}

≥ 6mm Sealant depth
1:2 (Depth : Width) Sealant Joint
Use compatible Sealant material, Backing Rod & Primer
Absorbent bituminous materials are prohibited
Apply sealant towards the end of construction to reduce panel displacement

Rebate

AS 4773.2:2015, 4

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.3

Grout^{AS 4773.2:2015, 4AS 4773.2:2015, 12.3}

≤ 12mm Aggregate
Site-mix composition
1 : 2 : 4 (Cement : Sand : Aggregate)
Pre-mixed composition
20Mpa Compressive Strength
300kg Cement / m³
N20 Grade
Clean surfaces before commencing
Compact grout by vibration or rodding to fill all voids

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.3

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.4

Reinforcement

Vertical^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.3}
Hook or engage top end Wall Reinforcement with Bond Beam Reinforcement
Horizontal^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.4}
Grout fully into position
At H or U-shaped Lintel blocks or
Knock out Bond Beam Block clear of webs

Fabric Ma 03

Starter Bar Overlap

Informative

Flexible Ties^Informative

Install stabilising Ties at Control Joints & adjoining structural elements

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.2

Starter Bar^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.2}

Use same size as vertical Reinforcement

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.2

≥450^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.1.2}

Tools™ Best Practice

Sub Sill^{Tools™ Best Practice}

≥ 3mm past both ends of sill extension
Sealed End Caps

Weatherproofing

Weatherproof at all External Walls & Window Reveals before installing window assembly^[1]
Mortar Joints^[2][3]
Tooled
No holes & cracks
Coated Surface^[4][5]
Bagged or rendered

Paint Application RULES

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, & HP 5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 4773.2:2015, 11.7.1 (a)

AS 4773.2:2015, 11.7.1 (b)

Manufacturer's Recommendation

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 4773.2:2015, 11.7.1 (a)}
3^{AS 4773.2:2015, 11.7.1 (b)} coats 100% Acrylic-based exterior quality Paint, or
1^{Manufacturer's Recommendation} coat of Cement-based paint
Plus 2 finishing coats of 100% Acrylic-based exterior quality gloss Paint
Apply by roller or brush according to Manufacturer's instructions^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}

External Paint Finish

NCC 2022 V1

3 coats elastomeric paint finish required for precast concrete or concrete (non-clad) walls
Warning Acrylic or mineral paint finish does not meet this requirement

Textured Finishes & Other Coating RULES

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, & HP 5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4 (d)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4}
Elastic Polymers for enhanced aesthetics & excellent Weatherproofing^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4 (d)}
Incorporate waterproofing membrane
Water-repellent clear coating
≥ 1.5m^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)} weatherproof overhang

CMAA 2019 CM01, 13

AS 3700:2018, 4.7.4

AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4

Weatherproof at all External Walls & Window Reveals before installing window assembly^{CMAA 2019 CM01, 13}
Mortar Joints^{AS 3700:2018, 4.7.4AS 3700:2018, 4.7.4}
Tooled
No holes & cracks
Coated Surface^{AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4AS 4773.2:2015, 12.4}
Bagged or rendered

Lintels

10mm clearance from heads or frame^[1]
≥ 300mm bearing length^[2]
Double U or H blocks^[3], or
Knock-out Bond Beam Block clear of webs^[4]

Reinforced Masonry Lintel RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 1 & 10

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, HP 5, & HP 6.3.5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, 4.8.3.1

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, 4.8.3.1}
Reinforcement to withstand wind uplift, see Tables^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}

AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.3

CMAA 2019 CM01, 6

AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.2 (a)

AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.2 (b)

10mm clearance from heads or frame^{AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.3}
≥ 300mm bearing length^{CMAA 2019 CM01, 6}
Double U or H blocks^{AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.2 (a)}, or
Knock-out Bond Beam Block clear of webs^{AS 4773.2:2015, 8.3.2 (b)}

Tolerance

≤ 10mm from plumb in 1 storey^[1]
≤ 25mm from plumb in total Wall height^[2]

Masonry TOLERANCE

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, & HP 5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, 12.5.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, 12.5.3NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}
≤ 25mm from plumb in total Wall height
≤ 15mm deviation from cavity width
≤ 15mm Slab Edge overhang
≤ ± 3mm deviation from Mortar bed thickness
≤ ± 5mm deviation from Perpend thickness

AS 3700:2018, 12.5.3

≤ 10mm from plumb in 1 storey^{AS 3700:2018, 12.5.3}
≤ 25mm from plumb in total Wall height^{AS 3700:2018, 12.5.3}

Articulation Joint

Vertical, full height, & free of Mortar^[1][2]
Prohibited above garage door openings^[3][4]

Articulation Joint LOCATION

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 B1D4, F3D5, H1D5, H2D4, & HP 5

[2019 B1.4, 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, 7.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, 7.2}
Articulation Joints to be placed where potential cracking due to movement of the footing^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}
Wall height transitions
> 20% of its smaller height
Transitions in Wall thickness
≤ 4.5m from Corners
≥ 470mm for Cavity Walls
≥ 230mm for Veneer Walls
> 900 x 900mm openings
≤ 5m CTS joint spacing, from edge of opening
≥ 1.2m away from opening
Aligned with Construction & Control Joints
Flexible Sealant to all Joints
Paintable
Backing rod to maintain recommended thickness

AS 4773.2:2015, 7.2

AS 3700:2018, 4.8.4

Vertical, full height, & free of Mortar^{AS 4773.2:2015, 7.2AS 4773.2:2015, 7.2}
Prohibited above garage door openings^{AS 3700:2018, 4.8.4AS 3700:2018, 4.8.4}

Mortar

M3 or M4 class for Reinforced Masonry^[1]

Mortar DURABILITY

NCC 2022 V6

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 H1D5, HP 5.6.3, & 5.6.4

[2019 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.5-3.3.6]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, E7

AS 3700:2018, E5

Manufacturer's Recommendation

NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, E7}
Densely pack materials when measuring volume
Use Water Thickener in accordance with Manufacturer's Instructions^{AS 3700:2018, E5}
Scratch test mechanically, using a "Scratch Tool"^{Manufacturer's Recommendation}
≥ 3 test areas, agreed by parties concerned
0.5 to 10m² area per scratch test
Replace tip after 200 tests, keep records
5 measurements per test area with the average depth calculated
Report to include^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, B1D4 (.)}
Date of construction & location
Test date
Mapping and identification of each measurement
Scratch measurements indicated individually
Computed Scratch index per joint

AS 4773.2:2015, 3.1

M3 or M4 class for Reinforced Masonry^{AS 4773.2:2015, 3.1}