BRICKWORK ARTICULATION

ARTICULATED WALLS

• Brick construction is very brittle and susceptible to

cracking due to movement. Movement occurs for many
different reasons, including variations in climate or
temperature, movement in the frame and movement in
the foundations. Articulation joints accommodate these
movements in a building.

• Vertical articulation must be installed in all un-

reinforced masonry walls unless the soil has been
classed as A or S.

• Articulation joints are tied at specific intervals and

sealed with filler. In straight walls that do not have
openings, the articulation joints must be at no more than
six metre centres. They must not be closer than the
height of the wall away from the corners.
WHY DO I NEED JOINTS

• Footings can be designed to either resist or accommodate movements in the foundation

soil. When buildings are constructed on soils that swell and shrink the most sensible
approach is to design the footing and structure to accommodate the anticipated foundation
movement.
• Temperature and humidity also cause the brickwork to expand and contract
• The reason for vertical articulation is to minimise cracking of masonry units and to
minimise window and door jamming.
LOCATION OF
JOINTS
• From AS4773.1 Masonry in small buildings code
• Normal width of joint is 10mm for single storey.
15mm for walls greater than 8.5m
• Most articulation joints can be combined with
window openings. The continuous vertical
articulation joint, running from the footing to the
roof, can be provided on the line of the window
jamb.
• Joint’s do not need to run through the DPC
(Damp Proof Course) provided there is not more
than 600mm of masonry below.
EXAMPLES
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED JOINTS

• For walls in straight continuous masonry

with no openings or changes, see table.
• If the walls have openings larger than
900x900 then no more than 5m spacing
• If the opening is >1800 consider putting a
joint at both side of the window
• Note for class E sites, structural design of
footings is required.
MORE EXAMPLES
KEEPING STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE WALL

• Keep in mind that at articulation joints, especially in regard to single skin or full masonry
construction (i.e. not brick veneer). Stability needs to be maintained around the joint. This
is done by using masonry expansion ties (MET).
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Joints must be consistent through finishes, e.g. render. Render also need to be jointed
over the DPC
• To limit cracking from footing movement, suitable precautions include:
• Adequate drainage for the removal of water from the foundations
• Ensuring that large trees are not placed adjacent to the footings
• Correctly sized footings
• Inclusion of reinforcement in the wall.
MORE INFO

• CMAA guide to Articulated walling (

http://59.167.233.142/publications/pdf/TN61ArticulatedWalling.pdf)
• CMAA guide on unreinforced and reinforced walls (
https://www.nationalmasonry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/CMAA-Movement.pdf)
• Master builders fact sheet on articulated walls (
http://keystonetraining.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tech-01-articulated-walling-f
act-sheet.pdf
)
• AS2870, AS3700, AS4773