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9.20.4.1.(1)
ApplicationIntent
OH1OS2OP2OS1OH4OS3
ObjectiveOS3 Safety in Use
Attribution
[F20,F61-OS3.1] Applies to floors and elements that support floors.
Application
Application 1: 
Mortar joint thickness for burned clay brick and concrete blocks, in buildings to which Part 9 applies [see Sentence 1.3.3.3.(1) of Division A for application of Part 9], used in:
  • above-ground, unreinforced masonry and masonry veneer walls and nominally reinforced masonry where vertical joints in adjacent courses are aligned [see Article 9.20.9.1.]:
    • where the wall height above the foundation wall does not exceed 11 m, and
    • in which the roof or floor system above the first storey is not of concrete construction,
  • interior masonry foundation walls not subject to lateral earth pressure [see Sentence 9.15.4.10.(1)],
  • in regions where the spectral response acceleration Sa(0.2) is greater than 0.55, loadbearing masonry elements of buildings more than 1 storey in building height [see Sentence 9.20.1.2.(1)]:
    • where the wall height above the foundation wall does not exceed 11 m, and
    • in which the roof or floor system above the first storey is not of concrete construction, and
  • in regions where the spectral response acceleration Sa(0.2) is greater than 0.35 and less than or equal to 0.55, loadbearing masonry elements of buildings 3 storeys in building height [see Sentence 9.20.1.2.(2)]:
    • where the wall height above the foundation wall does not exceed 11 m, and
    • in which the roof or floor system above the first storey is not of concrete construction.
Exceptions: 
except as stated in:
  • Sentence 9.20.4.1.(2), which applies to thickness tolerances for head and bed joints,
  • Sentence 9.20.1.1.(2), which applies to buildings other than described above, or where the masonry is designed for specified loads on the basis of ultimate and serviceability limit states,
  • Sentence 9.20.6.4.(4), which applies to masonry veneer individually supported by the structural backing,
  • Sentence 9.20.6.6.(1), which applies to slab facings and precast concrete panel facings, and
  • Sentence 9.20.9.5.(3), which applies to the securing of masonry veneer individually supported by masonry or wood-frame backing.
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Intent
Intent 1: 
To limit the probability of:
  • excessively thick mortar joints in relation to the surface area of the masonry, which could lead to water leakage through shrinkage cracks and water absorption through mortar joints, or
  • excessively thin mortar joints, which could lead to inadequate support of masonry or inadequate masonry-to-mortar bond strength, which could lead to cracking.
This is to limit the probability of:
  • compromised structural integrity of masonry construction,
  • where masonry construction is part of an environmental separator, the displacement or failure of required environmental separation elements, which could lead to deterioration,
  • in assemblies exposed to moisture or the exterior, damage and deterioration, or
  • an inability to resist expected loads, which could lead to excessive deflection or vibration of floors.
For floors and elements supporting floors, this is to limit the probability of persons losing their balance, tripping or falling, which could lead to harm to persons.
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