What is this published document about?
It supplies information on the design, durability and use of masonry which was previously found in two, now-withdrawn, British Standards. This useful information wasn’t transferred into the Eurocodes which replaced the BSs, so it now appears in this published document as an adjunct to the Eurocodes.
Who is this published document for?
- Structural engineers and structural engineering practices
- Civil engineers and civil engineering practices
- Large contractors
- Manufacturers of masonry products
Why should you use this published document?
It contains non-contradictory complementary information to accompany BS EN 1996-1-1 and BS EN 1996-2 on the design, durability and use of masonry.
It includes information formerly found in two British Standards, BS 5628-1 and BS 5628-2, used by the UK industry because they contained useful design guidance and support for design methods. There are also significant differences in the Eurocodes’ approach to design for unreinforced masonry.
In addition, until PD 6697 was first published in 2010, there was a lack of UK-oriented supporting information. For example, design charts used for the characteristic compressive strength of the masonry are not used in Europe, and the Eurocodes use normalized strength.
PD 6697 is the only document of its kind in the sector that is relevant to the UK market.
What’s changed since the last update?
This document replaces the 2010 version. It updates important UK-specific design methods and information. For example, it’s now common practice to use wider cavities in cavity walls and this required changes to the information on the capacity of wall ties.
