concrete frame shortening effect
Throughout the first 20 to 30 years of a concrete frame building’s life the concrete used in its construction will shrink. The concrete frame will shorten and the bricks’ first irreversible expansion will take place.
Where brickwork and concrete frame abut, these opposing stresses can cause defects to appear. This effect can be further augmented by thermal expansion, especially to south-facing walls. Where the walls are not adequately tied the compression force can be laterally released, causing bulging and leaning of the brick slips, in some cases from the head of the wall down to the first row of effective ties.
To explain this more clearly we have included an example where AWT were called to carry out remedial works necessitated by concrete frame shortening.

1. Bowing brickwork and brick slips due to concrete frame shortening – Case study




Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.




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