Concrete Masonry Association Australia

PO Box 370, P: 02 8448 5500

Artarmon F: 02 9411 3801
NSW 1570 www.cmaa.com.au

Concrete Masonry FENCES There are many possible designs for The vertical bars are N16 diameter and
only and in no way replaces the service of professional consultants on particular projects, no liability can be accepted by the Association for its use.
Australia to provide information on the many uses of concrete masonry products. Since the information provided is intended for general guidance

instructions and seek advice about working safely with the products from the manufacturer, your nearest WorkCover Authority or Worksafe Australia.
Disclaimer: The Concrete Masonry Association of Australia Limited is a non-profit organisation sponsored by the concrete masonry industry in

Remember, when working with cement and concrete/mortar or manufactured or prefabricated concrete products, ALWAYS follow the manufacturer's

concrete masonry fences and boundary their spacing depends on the wall height
This data sheet is applicable to any walls. Two common arrangements are and wind classification.
free-standing, cantilever fence or shown in Figures 1 and 2.
wall for residential or commercial
applications.
Reinforced concrete ht
Reinforced concrete t Reinforced
wall concrete eig
Reinforced ig h masonry
a r h boevigeht Reinforced concrete
igh
t
PART B: concrete masonry masonry wall concrete r he ovigeht masonry wall Cle allaar hH’bove masonry wall he ove
a b r
FENCEs built on concrete
masonry wall Cle allaar hHe’bove we ‘
of Culnwda, ll a ‘H’
a b
Cle all a H’
wCled, l‘l a ’
strip footings
f
o unwa ‘H groof und, w
of und,
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groof und, gro gro
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1 Introduction

Part B of this data sheet applies to D

190mm wide partially reinforced
concrete masonry walls located in the
center of the footing or at the edge of
the footing depending on the property
boundary requirements.
Free standing concrete masonry fences
and boundary walls must be designed
and constructed to withstand a range of
loads, and in particular, wind loads. This
manual provides guidance to qualified
and experienced structural engineers on
the selection of strip footing dimensions,
wall steel spacing and masonry details
for free standing reinforced concrete
masonry fences and walls subject to a
range of wind loads.
D D
D D
Reinforced concrete Reinforced concrete B
Reinforced concrete
footing Reinforced concrete
footing Reinforced
B footing B footing concrete piers,
B B diameter, ‘d’
Figure 1 Reinforced Concrete Masonry Wall on Figure 2 Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings Masonry Wall with
Reinforced Concrete Piers
2 Wall construction
The walls are built from 190 mm partially
reinforced hollow concrete block work
structurally tied to reinforced concrete
strip footings at their base and with a
reinforced bond beam at the top.

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
1
3 Wind Loads 4 Wall resistance to over Table 1 Wind Classification for Free-Standing Fences and Walls
turning Ultimate free-stream Ultimate net wind
Wind loads on free-standing concrete
masonry fences and boundary walls The resistance to overturning is provided Design gust wind gust dynamic wind pressure on free-
should be calculated using by the combined weight of the wall Wind speed at height ‘h’ pressure standing wall
AS/NZS 1170.2. However, designers Classification Vzu (m/s) qzu (kPa) pnu (kPa)
acting about an assumed point of
often associate these structures with rotation close to the toe of the footing. N1f 34 0.69 0.83
the design of houses to AS 4055. The distance from the toe to the point N2f 40 0.96 1.15
of rotation depends on the bearing N3f C1f 50 1.50 1.80
Strictly speaking, boundary walls and capacity of the foundation soil, including
fences are outside the scope of AS 4055, its compaction. If the soil is firm with a N4f C2f 61 2.23 2.68
although the nomenclature used therein high bearing capacity, the point of the N5f C3f 74 3.29 3.94
is useful in classifying the wind exposure rotation will be close to the toe. If the N6f C4f 86 4.44 5.33
of housing sites for wind loads on such soil is soft with a low bearing capacity,
Note: Design pressure is based on an aerodynamic shape factor, C fig, of 1.20
structures. the point of rotation will move closer to
the centre of the footing. A reasonably
The nomenclature used in this Data
conservative assumption is that the
Sheet for the “Wind Classification for
point about which the footing rotates
Free-Standing Fences and Walls” (N1f to
is approximately B/3 from the toe of
C4f) has been adopted to differentiate it
the footing, where B is the total footing
from the corresponding nomenclature,
width. This conservative approach has
“Wind Classification for Housing” (N1
been used in this Data Sheet and as
to C4), which is set out in AS 4055
such customary bearing failure analysis
for houses. Although the resulting
has not been performed, however, if it
ultimate free-stream gust dynamic wind
is considered bearing failure analysis is
pressures, designated qzu, are the same,
necessary eg. low friction angle or poor
their derivation is different. The worked
quality soil) Please refer to typical CMAA
example below demonstrates the
manual, MA 51 Reinforced Concrete
derivation for a “Wind Classification for
Masonry Canitilever Retaining Walls for
Free-Standing Fences and Walls” ofN1f.
guidance.
Refer to Table 1

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
2
Table 2 Strip Footing Width And Wall Reinforcement Spacing
Strip footing
Fence width Wall reinforcement 190mm wall
Wind Height Type A or B maximum spacing reinforcement
Classification ‘H’ ‘W’ ‘S’ (m) size
1.80 1.1 2.0 N16
1.60 1.0 2.0 N16
N1f 1.40 0.9 2.0 N16
1.20 0.8 2.0 N16
1.0 0.7 2.0 N16
1.80 1.3 2.0 N16
1.60 1.2 2.0 N16
N2f 1.40 1.0 2.0 N16
1.20 0.9 2.0 N16
1.0 0.8 2.0 N16
1.8 1.7 1.2 N16
1.6 1.5 1.6 N16
N3f 1.4 1.4 2.0 N16
1.2 1.2 2.0 N16
1.0 1.0 2.0 N16
1.8 2.1 1.2 N16
1.6 1.9 1.6 N16
N4f 1.4 1.7 2.0 N16
1.2 1.5 2.0 N16
1.0 1.3 2.0 N16
1.8 2.7 1.0 N16
1.6 2.4 1.2 N16
N5f 1.4 2.1 1.6 N16
1.2 1.9 2.0 N16
1.0 1.6 2.0 N16
1.8 3.1 0.8 N16
1.6 2.8 1.0 N16
N6f 1.4 2.5 1.2 N16
1.2 2.5 1.6 N16
1.0 1.9 2.0 N16

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
3
 Control joints at 8200 mm max. centres Capping

190 mm Specified pier bars bent into Top bond

partially top bond beam before grouting beam with
1 N16 bar H Fence height
reinforced including capping
concrete Wall reinforcement central in Footing
wall. See Table 2 for size and blocks if used
masonry fence reinforcement
spacing

‘S’ ‘S’
Footing Types ‘A’ and ‘B’

Figure 3 Typical Reinforcement Details and Control Joint Locations

190 190

Reinforcement from footing Reinforcement from footing

same size and spacing as same size and spacing as
N16 wall reinforcement N16 wall reinforcement
central central
N16 bars at
600 min lap 700 cts max 600 min lap

300 SL 82 top 300

and bottom
300 450
30 cover min 30 cover
min min
min
‘W’ ‘W’
Footing width W8 fitments Footing width
at 300 cts

FOOTING TYPE ‘A’ FOOTING TYPE ‘B’

Figure 4 Typical ‘A’ And ‘B’ Footing Details

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
4
Design Brief
Design a 1.8 m high free-standing
concrete masonry boundary wall
located in a Sydney suburb, on a
gentle slope (with 60 metres upwind
distance to the crest of a 4.0 m hill)
and shielded by houses of 3.0 m roof
height and 7.0 m width. The wall
is to be partially reinforced with
N16 reinforcing steel at S = 2.0 m
vertical centres. The footing is to be
strip footing Type A. i.e., with the
wall stem located in the centre of the
footing width B.
Wind Load using
AS/NZS 1170.2:2002
Region A
Degree of hazard 2
Location Non-cyclonic
Design event for safety 1 in 500
Regional wind speed s = ls/(hs bs)0.5
VR = 45 m/s AS/NZS 1170.2
Table 3.1
Regional wind multiplier = 0.0006 x 34.02
Md = 1.0 AS/NZS 1170.2
Clause 3.3.1
DATA SHEET 5B
Terrain category multiplier Shielding multiplier Notes:
Mz,cat = 0.91 For h < 3.0 m Ms = 0.830 Interpolated from This pressure is taken to represent a
AS/NZS 1170.2 AS/NZS 1170.2 Table 4.3 Wind Classification for Free-Standing
Table 4.1(A) Fences and Walls of N1f.
Heigth of the hill, ridge or escarpment
Number of upwind shielding buildings H = 4.0 m The corresponding Wind Loads for
within a 45° sector of 20 h radius Housing (on the same site) can be
ns = 2 Horizontal distance upwind from the derived using AS 4055
crest of a hill, ridge or excarpment to Region
Average roof height of shielding a level half the height below the crest A AS 4055 Fig 2.1 For Sydney
buildings Lu = 60.0 m
hs = 3.0 m Terrain Category
Windward slope TC 3 AS 4055 Clause 2.3
Average spacing of shielding H/2Lu = 4.0/(2 x 60.0) For numerous closely spaces
buildings = 0.033 < 0.05 obstructions the size of houses
ls = h (10/ns + 5)
= 1.8([10/2] + 5) Topography multiplier Average slope
= 18.0 m Mt = 1.00 AS/NZS 1170.2 φs = 4 : 60
Clause 4.4.2 = 1 : 15
Average breadth of shielding
buildings Ultimate design gust wind speed Topography
bs = 7.0 m Vzu = VR Md (Mz,cat Ms Mt) T1 For φs < 1 : 10
= 45.0 x 1.0 x 0.91 x 0.830 x 1.0 AS 4055 Clause 2.4, Table 2.3
Shielding parameter = 34.0 m/s
AS/NZS 1170.2 Shielding
Clause 4.3.3 Ultimate free stream gust dynamic Partial Shielding (PS) AS 4055
= 18.0/(3.0 x 7.0)0.5 wind pressure Clause 2.5
= 3.93 qzu = 0.0006 Vzu2 AS/NZS 1170.2 Classification
Clause 2.4.1 N1 AS 4055 Clause 2.2, Table 2.2
= 0.694 kPa
Page 1 of 6
Concrete Masonry Fences Built on
Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
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Ultimate design gust wind speed Structure Geometry Wind loads
Vhu = 34.0 m/s AS 4055 Height of wall Net pressure coefficient
Clause 2.1, Table 2.1 h = 1.8 m Cpn = 1.3 + 0.5 (0.3 + log10 (b/c]) (0.8 – c/h) AS/NZS 1170.2 Table D2(A)
= 1.3 + 0.5 (0.3 + log10 (5.0]) (0.8 – 1.0)
Ultimate free stream gust dynamic Solid height of wall = 1.20
wind pressure c = 1.8 m Note:
qzu = 0.0006 Vzu2 If b < 2c, Cpn will increase from 1.2 to 1.3
= 0.0006 x 34.02
= 0.694 kPa Total length of wall Aerodynamic shape factor
b = 9.0 m Cfig = Cpn Kp AS/NZS 1170.2 D2.1
Note = 1.20 x 1.0
For convenience, design tables will Length/solid height = 1.20
be prepared using the the ultimate b/c = 9.0 /1.8
design gust wind speed, Vhu, and = 5.0 Note
the resulting ultimate free-stream For convenience, design tables will be prepared using the aerodynamic shape
gust dynamic wind pressure, qzu, Solid height/total height factor, Cfig, of 1.20
determined using AS 4055. This will c/h = 1.8 /1.8 This may lead to small errors in the determination of pressure, but these are
enable the use of a wind classification = 1.0 not considered significant.
nomenclature similar to that used
in AS 4055. As indicated above, Angle of incident wind (Normal = 0) Ultimate net wind pressure on free-standing wall AS/NZS 1170.2
this may lead to small errors in the F=0 pnu = Cfig qzu Clause 2.4.1
determination of pressure, but these = 1.20 x 0.695
are not considered significant. Porosity reduction factor = 0.834 kPa
Kp = 1 – (1 – δ)2 AS/NZS 1170.2
= 1 – (1 – 1) 2 D2.1 Load factors and capacity reduction factors
= 1.0 Load factor on overturning wind pressure
Gw = 1.0 AS 1170.0 2002
Length of wall used for calculations Clause 4.2.1(b)(iv)
B’ = 1.0 m Load factor on restoring forces
Gr = 0.8 AS 4678 2002
Clause J3(c)
Page 2 of 6

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
6
Shear force and bending Method to find Strip Footing Density of concrete footing Wall restoring moment about point ‘O’
moments at the base of wall Width B γf = 23.5 kN/m3 Mw= P2 x L2
Shear force at base support of exposed = 4.92 x W/6
wall To find the required base width ‘W’ for P1 factored weight of base = 0.82 W kNm/mP3 factored
Vb =Gwpnu B’ h any given wind pressure and known = Gr γf D W
= 1.0 x 0.834 x 1.0 x 1.80 300 mm base depth D. Set up either = 0.9 x 23.5 x 0.3 x W wind force per meter run of
= 1.50 kN/m a quadratic equation or an iterative P1 = 6.35 W wall
process to solve for ‘W’. = Gw pnu H 1.0
Bending moment at base of support of L1 lever arm base = 1.0 x 0.83 x 1.8 x 1.0
exposed wall Strip footing details = W – W P3 = 1.49 kN/m
Mb = 0.5 Gw pnu B’ h2 0.19 2 3
t L = W
= 0.5 x 1.0 x 0.834 x 1.0 x 1.802 1 L3 lever arm of wind force about
= 1.35 kN/m 6 point ‘O’
= H/2 + D
Overturning Analysis Base restoring moment about point ‘O’ = 1.8/2 + 0.3
As the horizontal force increases, (i.e., H = 1.8 L 2 P2 P3 MB = P1 x L1 L3 = 1.2 m
normally from wind) the wall will = 6.35 W2x W/6
= 1.06 W kNm/m Wind force overturning moment about
rotate about its base.
L3
The resistance to this movement is point ‘O’
P2 factored weight of wall
Mw= P3 x L3
provided by the weight and width of = Gr γw H. t
base and wall stem providing restoring L1 P1 D = 0.3 = 0.9 x 16.0 x1.8 x 0.19 = 1.49 x 1.2
moments about a point assumed to be P2 = 4.92 kN/m = 1.79 kNm/m
‘O’
one third along the base from either W/3
Sum of moments about point ‘O’ = 0
end (toe) depending on which side of L2 lever arm of wall weight about
wall the wind is blowing. Note one
W=? MB + Mw – Mw = 0
point ‘o’
third base location is conservative and N1f wind pressure 1.06 W2 + 0.82W – 1.79 = 0
= W–W
will provide adequate bearing capacity pnu = 0.83 kN/m2 2 3
for most average strength soils. L2 = W
Density of Partially reinforced wall 6
rW = 16.0 kN/m3

Page 3 of 6

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
7
Quadratic equation
=–B+
– B2 – 4ac
2a
= – 0.82 0.822– 4 x 1.06 x (–1.79)
2 x 1.06
= – 0.82 + 2.87
2.12
Base width W required = 0.96 m
But Say = 1.0 m
Check: Masonry Properties
1.06 x 0.962 + 0.82 x 0.96 – 1.79 = 0 Masonry unit characteristic unconfined
OK
Notes :
1. A similar approach can be used
to determined footing width W for
strip footings with the wall stem
located at the edge of the footing.
(See Figure 1 Type B footing
2. The footing Type B width values
shown in Table 2 are the same as
footing Type A width values and
hence are conservative
DATA SHEET 5B
SPACING OF Reinforced Ratio of block to joint thickness Design characteristic grout strength
Masonry ‘POSTs’ hb/hj = 190/10 f’cg = min[(1.3 x f’uc), 20.0]
• Concrete blocks: Width 190 mm, = 19.0 AS 3700 Clause 3.5
strength grade 15 MPa = min[(1.3 x 15), 20.0]
• Blockwork will be built continuous Block height factor = min[19.5, 20.0]
for a length of 2.4 m, with a pier kh = 1.3 = 19.5 MPa
located at the centre and
articulation joints at each end. Characteristic masonry strength Main Reinforcement Properties
• Main reinforcement, 1 N16 bar in f’m = kh f’mb Main reinforcement yield strength
the centre of the pier = 1.3 x 6.20 fsy = 500 MPa
= 8.06 MPa
Main reinforcement shear strength
Concrete Grout Properties (dowel action)
compressive strength Concrete grout specification: fsv = 17.5 MPa
f’uc = 15.0 MPa Concrete grout shall comply with
AS 3700 and have: Number of main tensile reinforcing
Units are hollow • minimum portland cement bars
content of 300 kg/cubic metre; Nt = 1
Block type factor • 10 mm maximum aggregate size;
km = 1.6 • sufficient slump to completely fill Diameter of main tensile reinforcing
the cores; and bars
Equivalent brickwork strength • minimum compressive cylinder Ddia.t = 16 mm
f’mb = km (f’uc)0.5 strength of 20 MPa.
= 1.6 (15.0)0.5 Area of main reinforcment
= 6.20 MPa Specified characteristic grout cylinder Ast = Nt (3.1416 Ddia.t2/4) (approx)
strength = 1 x 3.1416 x 162/4
Mortar joint height f’c = 20 MPa = 200 mm2
hj = 10 mm > 12 MPa OK
AS 3700 Clause 5.6
Masonry unit height
hb = 190 mm
Page 4 of 6
Concrete Masonry Fences Built on
Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
8
Dimensions Main Reinforcement Fitments
The most adverse loading is on the Effective depth of reinforcement There are no shear reinforcement
pier near the middle of the wall For centrally located reinforcement: fitments required in this type of
d = D/2 construction, which incorporates a
Width of pier (along the wall) For reinforcement near one face shell: single vertical reinforcing bar
B = 390 mm d = D – d1 + Ddia.t /2
= 190/2 Fitment yield strength
Depth of pier (through the wall) = 95 mm fsy.f = NA
D = 190 mm
Effective width of reinforced section Fitment area
Density of reinforced concrete b = min(4D or Af = NA
masonry 2D + length to structural end)
rmas = 2,200 kg/m3 = 4 x 190 Fitment spacing
= 760 mm AS 3700 Clause 8.5 s = NA
Modulus of elasticity
E = 1,000 f’m Shear width of reinforced section
= 1,000 x 8.06 bv = 200 mm
= 8,060 MPa Note: Only one core is grouted

Second moment of area of reinforced Design area of main tensile

concrete masonry pier reinforcement
I = B D3/12 Asd = min[0.29(1.3f’m)b d/fsy, Ast]
= 390 x 1903/12 = min[(0.29 x 1.3 x 8.06 x 760
= 222.9 x 106 mm4 x 95 / 500), 200]
= min[462, 200]
= 200 mm2

Page 5 of 6

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
9
Reinforced Masonry Capacity
From Table 2 maximum spacing of the N16 reinforcing steel is 2.0m Limiting deflection
Clause 8.6 (a) AS 3700 Δa = Hc /50
φ = 0.75 AS 3700 Clause 4.4 = 1,800/50
f’vm = 0.35 AS 3700 Clause 8.8 = 36 mm

Shear capacity Load capacity (limited by shear)

φV = φ(f’vm bw d + fvs Ast + fsy.f Asv d/s) Wvu = 1.0 φV/(B’ Hc)
= 0.75[(0.35 x 200 x 95) + (17.5 x 200) + 0]/1000 = 1.0 x 7.61/(1.0 x 1.800)
= 0.75(6.65 + 3.50 + 0) = 4.22 kPa
= 7.61 kN
Load capacity (limited by bending moment)
Bending Moment Capacity Wmu = 2 φM/B’ Hc2
φM = φfsy Asd d[1 – 0.6 fsy Asd d/(1.3 f’m b d)] = 2 x 6.56/(1.0 x 1.8002)
6 = 4.04 kPa
= 0.75 x 500 x 200 x 95[1 – (0.6 x 500 x 200)/(1.3 x 8.06 x 760 x 95)]/10
= 6.56 kN.m
Load capacity (limited by deflection)
Check actual theoretical spacing of reinforcing steel WΔu = Δa E I/48 Hc4 B’)
φM = pnu S H H/2 = [36 x 8,060 x 222.9 x 106/(48 x 1.8004 x 1.0)]10-9
S = 2φM = 128 kPa
pnu H 2

= 2 x 6.56 Load capacity (limited by shear, bending moment or deflection)

0.83 x 1.8 2 Wlu = min(Wvu, Wmu, WΔu)
= 4.9 m = min(4.22, 4.04, 128)
> 2.0 allowed = 4.04 kPa
S = 2.0 m OK > 0.834 kPa OK

Height of cantilever wall above the strip footing base

Hc = 1.800 m

Page 6 of 6

DATA SHEET 5B Concrete Masonry Fences Built on

Reinforced Concrete Strip Footings
MARCH 2013
10