EN 846 Test Methods for Auxiliary Components in Masonry

The European standard “ EN 846 Test methods for auxiliary components in masonry” consists of a number of sub-sections. These are as follows:

• The standard “EN 846-2 Part 2: Determination of bond strength of prefabricated bed joint reinforcement in mortar joints” describes a method for determining the bond strength of prefabricated bed joint reinforcement in a wall specimen made from the specified units and mortar. This test method is applicable to prefabricated bed joint reinforcement designed in accordance with the standard “EN 845-3 Specification for accessory components for masonry - Part 3: Bed joint reinforcement of steel mesh”. The method is not applicable to alternative forms of reinforcement that may be used in masonry, e.g. bars.

In principle, this test involves the pre-prepared bed joint reinforcement being embedded in the mortar of a small wall of bonded masonry units. The reinforcement is then subjected to tension to determine the bond strength.

• The standard “EN 846-3 Part 3: Determination of shear load capacity of welds in prefabricated bearing joint reinforcement” describes a method for determining the shear strength of welds in prefabricated bearing joint reinforcement.

In principle, weld samples in cage type prefabricated bearing joint reinforcement are fixed and tested on a normal tensile testing machine. Weld samples in ladder type reinforcement are held in a special clamp at one end and then tested on a normal tensile testing machine.

• The standard EN 846-4 Part 4: Determination of load capacity and load-deflection characteristics of straps describes the methods for determining the load capacity and load-deflection characteristics of lashing straps fixed to timber beams, ridge beams and timber wall boards and masonry.

In principle, straps are fixed to walls, wooden beams or ridge joists or other floor/roofing materials and loaded in a way that represents their intended use.

• The standard “EN 846-5 Part 5: Determination of tensile and compressive load capacity and load-displacement properties of wall fasteners (pair test)” describes the coupling method for determining the tensile and compressive load capacity and load-displacement properties of wall ties embedded in mortar joints. The test is designed for ties used to connect two wall sheets together and for tie ends covered with mortar to connect wall sheets to other structures.

In principle, the connection is embedded between a pair of masonry units, typically in mortar of the type for which the bond is specified. The connection is then subjected to tension or compression until failure occurs.

• The standard “EN 846-6 Part 6: Determination of tensile and compressive load capacity and load displacement characteristics of wall fasteners (single-point test)” describes a method for determining the tensile and compressive load capacity and load displacement characteristics of wall ties screwed, nailed, grouted or otherwise attached to framing members or internal leaf materials. This method is intended for ties used to connect wall ties to frame structures and internal leaves of cavity walls, other than embedding the internal connection in a mortar joint.

In principle the joint is screwed, nailed, mortared or other devices such as wrenches are used to secure the joint to a representative section of the framing member or inner leaf material using normal field techniques. The joint is then subjected to tension or compression until failure occurs.

• The standard “EN 846-7 Part 7: Determination of shear load capacity and load-displacement characteristics of shear ties and sliding ties (couplet test for mortar joint connections)” describes the coupling method for determining the horizontal and vertical shear load resistance and load-deflection behaviour of shear ties and sliding ties embedded in mortar joints. The test is designed for ties used to connect two wall sheets forming a wall with a collar joint or two walls at right angles. It is also applicable to ties used to connect the edges of infill panel walls to surrounding frames.

In principle, one end of the tie is embedded in a mortar joint of the type for which the tie is specified, typically between a pair of typical masonry units (couplets). The tie is then clamped at its free end and subjected to shear against a reactive support for the couplet. Sliding ties can be tested by the same method. This method measures only the capacity of the tie and does not measure the contribution to the total shear resistance of two wall surfaces separated by a vertical mortar joint. This value must be obtained by wallet tests if necessary.

• The standard “EN 846-8 Part 8: Determination of load capacity and load-deflection characteristics of beam hangers” describes a method for determining the strength and load-deflection characteristics of beam hangers fixed to the masonry and supporting a wooden beam.

In principle, joist hangers are fixed to a wall and loaded via joists in a manner representative of their intended use.

• The standard “EN 846-9 Part 9: Determination of bending and shear strength of lintels” describes the methods for determining the bending and shear strengths and load deflection properties of single-span, single or composite lintels used to carry evenly distributed loads over openings in masonry.

In principle, sample lintels are simply supported and subjected to vertically applied loads to determine flexural strength, shear resistance and deflection.

• The standard “EN 846-10 Part 10: Determination of load capacity and load deflection characteristics of brackets” describes a method for determining the load capacity and load deflection characteristics of brackets used in wall support, fixed to the wall or frame structure.

In principle, the sample brackets are attached to a suitable support material and subjected to vertically applied loads. Measures are taken to determine strength, deflection and recovery.

• The standard “EN 846-13 Part 13: Determination of resistance of organic coatings to impact, abrasion and corrosion” describes a method for determining the performance level of organic coatings classified as Type 845 in the standards “EN 1-1 Specification for auxiliary components for masonry - Part 845: Wall ties, tension belts, hangers and brackets” and “EN 2-2 Specification for auxiliary components for masonry - Part 2: Lintels”, applied as a protective system to zinc-coated steel sheets used in the manufacture of auxiliary components in masonry.

The performance of organic coatings is determined from impact resistance, abrasion resistance and accelerated corrosion test tests. Impact and abrasion resistance are determined using a heavy, rigid pendulum apparatus in which the spring-loaded end of the pendulum strikes the test specimen at a specified distance from bottom dead center. Accelerated corrosion performance is determined from the electrical resistance of the organic coating during exposure to an alkaline solution.

• The standard “EN 846-14 Part 14: Determination of the initial shear strength between a composite lintel prefabricated part and the overlying masonry” describes a method for determining the initial in-plane shear strength of a horizontal bearing joint between a composite lintel prefabricated part and the overlying masonry using a shear-tested specimen. Guidance is provided on the preparation of the specimens, the conditioning required prior to testing, the testing machine, the test method, the calculation method and the content of the test report. This method corresponds to the method described in EN 1052-3.

In principle, the initial shear strength of the horizontal bearing joint between the composite lintel and the prefabricated section of masonry above it is derived from the strength of small specimens tested to failure. The specimens are shear tested under four-point load.

Four different failure modes are considered to obtain valid results. Two procedures are included, A and B. Procedure A involves testing specimens at different pre-compressions and the initial shear strength is defined by a linear regression curve to zero pre-stress. Procedure B involves testing specimens at zero pre-compression and determining a characteristic initial shear strength by simple or statistical evaluation of the results.

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