Applications of the surface reinforced concrete masonry unit to light industrial buildings

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An innovative masonry wall system, known as the Surface Reinforced Concrete Masonry Unit (SRCMU), was recently developed. Prototype testing of this masonry unit has demonstrated increased structural efficiency when compared to conventional masonry units. Recent design philosophies established by architects for light industrial buildings lead to taller and thinner wall systems, which often require impractical or costly design details to ensure adequate structural strength and stiffness. The inherent benefits of concrete masonry, such as durability, resilience, fire and sound protection make it an ideal material for industrial applications. However, recent technical advances from competing imported materials have increased competition within this building sector. The SRCMU wall system provides a commercially feasible and cost effective means to satisfy light industrial building design requirements for masonry construction. The SRCMU wall system is a Canadian product with significant potential for Canadian applications as well as global markets. The objective of this research project is to demonstrate the applicability of the SRCMU system to the tall walls of light industrial buildings. This will be achieved by establishing the structural properties of a prototype SRCMU wall system. Small-scale assemblage testing of the SRCMU system will be performed, in addition to complementary finite element simulations. The small-scale testing will provide benchmark data to corroborate the finite element models, which, in turn, will be used to assess the performance of the SRCMU system as a tall wall system for light industrial buildings. Manufacturing and construction of the SRCMU units and assemblies will be conducted by the Canada Masonry Design Centre (CMDC). The outcomes of this project are intended to serve as preliminary research towards the commercialization and industry adoption of SRCMU walls systems.