technical sheet

load-bearing wall type I

Dfinition
A vertical load-bearing structure of worked stone
masonry consisting of a single wall, with the possible addition of an insulating coating or lining to
the interior face. This wall is classified as type I.

Load-bearing wall, type I

Flat or weathering
joint

Choice of materials

Stonework

Stone should be selected in accordance with its

capillarity, frost resistance and compressive
strength (see standard XP B 10-601).

Minimum thickness
30 to 40 cm

CSTB sketch

Slenderness
Slenderness =

The reference document is DTU 20-1 "Small

masonry unit walls". The diagrams below are taken
from DTU 20-1.
They are only given as examples and are to be
adapted in accordance with specific plans for
works to which they relate.

vertical Distance between floors

overall thickness of the load-bearing wall

CAPILLARITY
(as per NFB 10-502)

The minimum thickness is calculated according to

the capillarity measured perpendicular to the face.
When stones have capillarity factors between two
values on the table given below, the thickness of
the wall is obtained by linear interpolation.

Slenderness conditions the safety coefficient used in

calculating the allowable compressive stresses. DTU
20-1 imposes a maximum slenderness ratio of 20.

20

= 40

= 60

= 80

100

Worked stone

Thickness in cm
for type I wall

30

30

30

35

40

Worked ashlar

Thickness in cm
for type I wall

30

30

30

35

40

Rough ashlar

Thickness in cm

35

35

35

40

45

1
Version 2000

load-bearing wall type I

Cornice with overhang

3 cm and drip

Springer

Lintel course formed

with arch stones

Elevation

Springing course

Sting course with

overhang 3 cm and drip

Elevation

Handrail
Springing course

Solid balcony
slab

String course with

overhang 3 cm and drip
Balusters

Console

Elevation

> 15 cm

Sill

Base

Pavement tiles

2
Version 2000

load-bearing wall type I

Residence in Beverly Hills USA. ARCHITECTS: THE MUNSELLE PARTNERSHIP INC. USA AND PIERRE BARBE PARIS.

Joints
Joints between stones
According to the traditional method, the plaster is
poured after the faces and contours have been filled
(the cup method). For the economical method,
stones are laid on a mortar bed with the vertical
joints being filled as the installation is performed.
Grouting is finished afterwards with a compatible
mortar.
Thickness of joints: from 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm.
Construction: joints between stones must be filled
or poured through the entire thickness of the
masonry and up to the reference plane of the facade without recesses or projections.

Htel de Rgion du Limousin Limoges. Architects: C. Langlois, J.L. Dufour, L. Arsne

Henry, P. Sangenberger.

Expansion and contraction joints

Important
recommendations

Expansion and contraction joints are spaced approximately 20 m to 35 m apart depending on the region.

Load-bearing piers should be greater than 80 cm in

width although may be less if justified.
Stones should be shaped so that the quarry faces
are perpendicular to the compression stress and
installed with staggered joints.
Stones should be selected according to their characteristics (see standard XP B 10-601) and position in the facade and the geographic location
where they are to be installed.

Ebisu Garden Place Tokyo. Architects: Cossin, Sanville, Kume Sekei.