Bond Beam

The bond beam is a horizontal structural element, usually found as an embedded part of a masonry wall assembly. The bond beam serves to impart horizontal strength to a wall where it cannot be hung from the floor or roof structure.

Here we will learn about bond beam, types of bond beams & how does bond beam work?

Introduction to Bond Beam:

Bond beams are used inside a building or freestanding wall, which requires additional reinforcement.

This may be suitable for the wind loads, extreme conditions, and additional structural support for storm or seismic activity.

They also called as lintel blocks, as they offer the continuous horizontal reinforcement in masonry construction.

This is usually accomplished by filling U-shaped masonry units with reinforcement of concrete and steel.

• Bond beams are courses of a block constructed with particular units designed to obtain horizontal reinforcement and grout.
• These units are used to combine the horizontal reinforcement with vertical reinforcement bars in a reinforced masonry wall.
• Bond beams usually are positioned at regular intervals within the wall to allow placement of more reinforcement than could be attainable using bed joint reinforcement.
• Bond beams can be used in masonry bearing walls to function as horizontal members along the top of the walls.
• They can be used beneath a row of bar joists, so that joist anchors might be embedded into the grout of the bond beams.
• Its reinforcement can also be used for crack management in which a breakdown occurs between the bond beams at the control joints in a wall.

Types of Bond Beam Block:

Brick bond beams:

They are generally suitable for light weight and it has small openings that do not exceed 90 cm.

Wooden bond beams:

It is commonly used in historic buildings.

Wood is an earth-friendly material, it is easily available and also has good cost-benefit even in remote areas.

Poured concrete bond beams:

When the bond beams is injected with concrete is called a poured concrete bond beams.

Knockout bond beams:

The U-block or knockout bond provides two completely different options for installing reinforcement in the area.

The parts of the webbing or knockout panel added during construction are need to include horizontal reinforcement bars.

Advantages of Bond Beam:

1. When pre-fabricated lintels are generally utilized in openings, they provide a versatile alternative where horizontal reinforcement is required.
2. This permits walls at various locations with the same materials used in masonry units as they are often built-in inside a wall.
3. They can also be used in walls for additional support at the base and floor level.
4. It also provides support and anchor for floor joists.

Disadvantages of bond beam:

1. They might have high costs in some construction.
2. Also requires skilled labor.
3. Sometimes bond beams do not bond with some masonries.

Also read: Difference between Beam and Column, Spandrel Beam & Cantilever beam

Application of bond beam:

• Bond beams are often used as lintels on doors and windows.
• They are sometimes located on the floor of the walls which propagate over an opening to form a deep beam.