AREN’T DIFFERENT REINFORCEMENTS REALLY EQUIVALENT?

As a general example to meet the minimum amounts required in the Eurocode to achieve a masonry assembled for the purpose of reducing cracking, it is sufficient to place masonry reinforcement of 3mm Ø ev ery 60cm.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT WIDTH OF THE REINFORCEMENT?

The coating with mortar of the masonry reinforcement is a fundamental requirement to ensure the protection of the steel from corrosion. 

Therefore, when it comes to getting this benefit, the conditions of coating have different importance according to the finishing of the masonry reinforcement. However, the coating is also an essential requirement for the proper transmission of forces of adhesion in the overlap areas and this is common for all the masonry reinforcements with structural use, independently of the type of finish. 

In order to achieve this provision, you must respect the minimum thickness of coating, both upper and lower, as well as lateral. Side coating in the areas of overlap is essential so that there is the transmission of efforts between the piece of reinforcement and the adjoining one, this circumstance must be taken into account when choosing the width of the reinforcement so that it is appropriate to the thickness of the wall. 

If the reinforcement does not have a specific design for the overlap, you must limit your width to allow the correct covering along the reinforcement longitudinally.

I WANT TO BUILD MY WALLS TO PREVENT CRACKING, HOW MUCH REINFORCEMENT SHOULD I PUT?

The Eurocode explicitly defines the minimum amount of reinforcement needed to give ductility to the masonry and prevent cracking. In this sense, it determines the vertical separation between reinforced rows will not surpass 60cm and the area of steel will not be less than 0.03% of the area of the wall. The measure is preventative, and given that it is explicitly stated in the Eurocode it can help deal with the civil responsibility derived from pathological processes produced by cracking in the walls. However this measure by itself does not guarantee 100% of the absence of fissures. What is really effective to avoid cracking is a good constructive design solution to avoid risk situations.