OZM WALL

ENGINEERING DESIGN GUIDELINES

Version C1
Issued 05.09.2011

IMPORTANT NOTICE
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED FOR THE USE OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND
EXPERIENCED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND BUILDING PROFESSIONALS. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO
REPLACE DESIGN CALCULATIONS OR ANALYSIS NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION OF
BUILDINGS AND THEIR COMPONENTS. ROBERT BIRD GROUP AND OZWALL PTY LTD ACCEPT NO LIABILITY FOR ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES ARISING FROM THE FAILURE OF A SPECIFIER TO ADHERE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
APPROPRIATE STANDARDS AND CODES OF PRACTICE, AND BUILDING CODES.
A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS REQUIRED TO CERTIFY THE PROJECT-SPECIFIC APPLICATION OF
THESE DESIGN GUIDELINES AS THEY APPLY TO THE USE OF OZM WALL PANELS AS A LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURAL
ELEMENT.

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CONTENTS
1.0

HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES

Page 3

2.0

INTRODUCTION TO OZM WALL

Page 4

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.5

Page 4
Page 4
Page 4
Page 5
Page 5
Page 5

3.0

What are OZM Wall panels?

Product Dimensions
Concrete Filling of OZM Wall panels
Reinforcing OZM Wall panels
OZM Walls subjected to Earthquake Loads
Fire Resistance Period of OZM Walls

STRUCTURAL CAPACITY CHARTS

3.1

3.2

3.3

2|Page

Page 6

OZM168
Axial Load Capacity
Flexural Capacity
In-plane Shear Capacity

Page 6
Page 8
Page 8

OZM200
Axial Load Capacity
Flexural Capacity
In-plane Shear Capacity

Page 9
Page 11
Page 11

OZM218
Axial Load Capacity
Flexural Capacity
In-plane Shear Capacity

Page 12
Page 14
Page 14

1.0

HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES

The OZM Wall Engineering Design Guidelines addresses the approach to structural capacity for the OZM
Wall system, when the system is used as lost formwork.
The guidelines are not intended as a stand alone code of practice and should be read and interpreted in
conjunction with the relevant Australian Standards and Building codes including but not limited to:
AS 1170.0 2002
AS 3600 2009
BCA 2011

Wind Loads
Concrete Structures
Building Code of Australia

Limitations
Application of these guidelines is limited to
-

walls constructed in accordance with the requirements of AS3600 and AS3610

vertical walls restrained top and bottom (not cantilevered)

structural capacities of the completed wall as a load-bearing concrete wall element

This guide does not address the performance of OZM Wall panels as a formwork system during construction.

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2.0

INTRODUCTION TO OZM WALL

2.1

What are OZM Wall panels?

OZM Wall panels are a lost formwork system, that can be reinforced and concrete-filled to create a
load-bearing reinforced concrete wall system that can meet the requirements of Australian Standards
and the Building Code of Australia.
When used as a lost formwork system only, OZM Wall panels effectively create a reinforced concrete
wall that can be designed with limitations as described below as a wall to AS3600.
OZM panels are made from a composite fibre cement board with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
There are no metal components in an OZM panel.

2.2

Product Dimensions
OZM Wall panels are manufactured to the dimensions shown below.

Currently the maximum sheet size is 3000mm long. Contact Ozwall at www.ozwall.com.au
for information on the supply of longer panels.
2.3

Concrete Filling of OZM panels

OZM Wall panels can be filled with concrete in a similar manner to conventionally formed reinforced
concrete walls. Placement of concrete should occur consistent with the requirements of AS3600 and
AS3610, and the project structural engineer should issue project-specific specifications for the
placement of concrete into OZM Wall panels on this basis.
It is recommended that for OZM168 panels, a mix design adopting a maximum aggregate size of
10mm should be considered, to assist in achieving a high quality of compaction and ease of filling.

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2.4

Reinforcing OZM Wall panels

Both horizontal and vertical reinforcement can be provided in OZM Wall panels, similar to a
conventionally-formed reinforced concrete wall detailed in accordance with AS3600. Typically
reinforcement spacing should be specified at multiples of 300mm both vertically and horizontally, to
coordinate with the dimensional set-out of the vertical web openings within the OZM Wall panel.
Horizontal Reinforcement for Restraint/Shrinkage Cracking
OZM Walls with control joints at maximum 8 metre centres can be considered unrestrained for the
purposes of crack control reinforcement design. Crack control performance equivalent to providing
minimum reinforcement to AS3600 Clause 11.7.1 is provided by the OZM Wall lost formwork shell,
and hence horizontal reinforcement is not required for crack control if the wall is unrestrained.
If walls are considered restrained by the definitions of AS3600, then horizontal reinforcement in
accordance with AS3600 Clause 11.7.2 should be provided by the design engineer.

2.5

OZM Walls Subjected to Earthquake Loads

Without reinforcement, OZM Walls should be considered as unreinforced concrete, or masonry
elements, and should be assessed and detailed as a part of the overall structural load-resisting
system in accordance with AS1170.4 (2007). Generally, this will mean that unreinforced OZM Walls
should not be utilised in structures with an effective height of greater than 15 metres.
If reinforced horizontally and vertically, OZM Walls can be considered as limited ductile reinforced
concrete shear walls in accordance with the definitions within AS1170.4 (2007), and should be
assessed and detailed appropriately as a part of the overall structural load-resisting system.

2.6

Fire Resistance Period of OZM Walls

The fire resistance period of OZM Walls can be calculated in accordance with AS3600 Section 5.7.
When considering minimum effective thickness of walls, the full thickness of the OZM wall section can
be considered.

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3.0

STRUCTURAL CAPACITY CHARTS

The following charts present structural design capacities for each Ozwall OZM Wall series, being
-

OZM168

OZM200

OZM218
The following structural capacities are provided in this guide

AXIAL LOAD CAPACITY

Load capacities are presented based on standard eccentricities for continuous or discontinuous
floors, with wall capacities presented for various effective heights of walls in accordance with AS3600
Section 11.

FLEXURAL CAPACITY
If the wall is subject to significant axial compression force, i.e greater than 0.03 fc or 2.0 MPa, the
engineer should
-

Determine the maximum moment on the wall from the horizontal load
Convert the moment to an additional equivalent vertical load eccentricity
Determine the reduced axial capacity of the wall under the additional vertical load eccentricity

If there are no significant vertical loads applied to the wall, a maximum ultimate uniformly distributed
horizontal load can be applied in accordance with the values given in the tables.

IN-PLANE HORIZONTAL SHEAR CAPACITY

In-plane horizontal shear capacities are calculated in accordance with AS3600, and are presented
based on a minimum amount of reinforcement to be provided in both horizontal and vertical
directions.
Capacities are only provided for walls where Hw/Lw is less than 1.0.
Control joints in walls should be carefully considered in the design, as these create in-plane shear
discontinuity in the walls, which needs to be considered when assessing the ration of Hw/Lw in
accordance with AS3600.

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3.1

OZM168

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 1.00

168

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

4500

622

4200

691

3900

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

40

25

32

40

796

995

427

546

683

885

1106

496

635

793

756

967

1209

560

717

896

3600

815

1043

1304

620

793

992

3300

870

1114

1392

675

864

1080

3000

920

1178

1472

725

928

1160

2700

965

1236

1545

770

986

1232

2400

1006

1288

1609

811

1038

1297

2100

1042

1333

1667

846

1083

1354

1800

1073

1373

1716

877

1123

1404

NOTE: Provide N12-900 vertical starter bars 800mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.1

OZM168

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 0.75

168

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

40

25

32

40

4500

857

1097

1371

661

847

1058

4200

896

1146

1433

700

896

1121

3900

932

1193

1491

737

943

1178

3600

965

1236

1545

770

986

1232

3300

996

1275

1594

801

1025

1281

3000

1024

1311

1639

829

1061

1327

2700

1050

1344

1680

855

1094

1367

2400

1073

1373

1716

877

1123

1404

2100

1093

1399

1748

898

1149

1436

1800

1110

1421

1776

915

1171

1464

NOTE: To achieve fixity, provide N12-600 vertical starter bars 1000mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.1

OZM168

FLEXURAL CAPACITY
Values below are the maximum ultimate uniformly distributed horizontal load, in kPa.
Vertical reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous vertical reinforcement placed centrally, and
should be lapped as required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM

168

N12 Vertical reinforcement spacing (mm)

900
600
300
1.30
1.96
3.91
1.50
2.24
4.49
1.74
2.60
5.21
2.04
3.06
6.11
2.42
3.64
7.27
2.93
4.40
8.80
3.62
5.43
10.86
4.58
6.88
13.75
5.99
8.98
17.96
8.15
12.22
24.44

H.wu (mm)
4500
4200
3900
3600
3300
3000
2700
2400
2100
1800

IN-PLANE HORIZONTAL SHEAR CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate horizontal in-plane shear capacity in kN/m length of wall.
Reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous reinforcement placed centrally, and should be lapped as
required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM
Lesser of horz reo
and vert reo

168

Hw/Lw < 1.0

(ultimate in-plane shear capacity in kN/m)

f'c (Mpa)

25

32

40

N12-900

49

52

54

N12-600

65

67

70

N12-300

111

113

116

N16-300

186

188

191

N20-300

277

280

282

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3.2

OZM200

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 1.00

200

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

40

25

32

40

4500

965

1236

1545

733

938

1173

4200

1022

1309

1636

790

1011

1264

3900

1075

1377

1721

843

1079

1349

3600

1125

1439

1799

892

1142

1427

3300

1170

1497

1872

937

1200

1500

3000

1211

1550

1938

979

1253

1566

2700

1248

1598

1997

1016

1300

1625

2400

1282

1641

2051

1049

1343

1679

2100

1311

1678

2098

1079

1381

1726

1800

1337

1711

2139

1104

1414

1767

NOTE: Provide N12-900 vertical starter bars 800mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.2

OZM200

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 0.75

200

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

40

25

32

40

4500

1159

1483

1854

926

1186

1482

4200

1191

1524

1905

958

1227

1533

3900

1221

1563

1953

988

1265

1581

3600

1248

1598

1997

1016

1300

1625

3300

1274

1631

2038

1041

1333

1666

3000

1297

1660

2075

1065

1363

1703

2700

1318

1687

2109

1086

1390

1737

2400

1337

1711

2139

1104

1414

1767

2100

1353

1732

2165

1121

1435

1793

1800

1368

1751

2188

1135

1453

1816

NOTE: To achieve fixity, provide N12-600 vertical starter bars 1000mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.2

OZM200

FLEXURAL CAPACITY
Values below are the maximum ultimate uniformly distributed horizontal load, in kPa.
Vertical reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous vertical reinforcement placed centrally, and
should be lapped as required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM

200
N12 Vertical reinforcement spacing (mm)
900
600
300
1.58
2.37
4.75
1.82
2.72
5.45
2.11
3.16
6.32
2.47
3.71
7.41
2.94
4.41
8.82
3.56
5.34
10.68
4.39
6.59
13.18
5.56
8.34
16.68
7.26
10.90
21.79
9.89
14.83
29.66

H.wu (mm)
4500
4200
3900
3600
3300
3000
2700
2400
2100
1800

IN-PLANE HORIZONTAL SHEAR CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate horizontal in-plane shear capacity in kN/m length of wall.
Reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous reinforcement placed centrally, and should be lapped as
required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM
Lesser of horz reo
and vert reo

200

Hw/Lw < 1.0

(ultimate in-plane shear capacity in kN/m)

f'c (Mpa)

25

32

40

N12-900

54

57

60

N12-600

70

73

76

N12-300

116

119

122

N16-300

193

196

199

N20-300

286

289

292

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3.3

OZM218

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 1.00

218

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

40

25

32

40

4500

1145

1466

1832

892

1142

1427

4200

1197

1532

1915

944

1208

1510

3900

1245

1594

1993

992

1270

1587

3600

1290

1651

2064

1037

1327

1659

3300

1331

1704

2130

1078

1380

1725

3000

1369

1752

2190

1115

1428

1785

2700

1403

1796

2245

1149

1471

1839

2400

1433

1835

2293

1180

1510

1888

2100

1460

1869

2336

1207

1544

1931

1800

1483

1899

2373

1230

1574

1968

NOTE: Provide N12-900 vertical starter bars 800mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.3

OZM218

AXIAL COMPRESSION CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate compression capacity, in kN/m

OZM
K = 0.75

218

Continuous Floor e=0.050t.w

f'c (Mpa)

Discontinuous Floor e=0.167t.w

f'c (Mpa)

H.wu (mm)

25

32

40

25

32

40

4500

1321

1691

2114

1068

1367

1709

4200

1351

1729

2161

1097

1404

1755

3900

1378

1763

2204

1124

1439

1799

3600

1403

1796

2245

1149

1471

1839

3300

1426

1825

2282

1173

1501

1876

3000

1447

1852

2315

1194

1528

1910

2700

1466

1877

2346

1213

1552

1940

2400

1483

1899

2373

1230

1574

1968

2100

1498

1918

2397

1245

1594

1992

1800

1511

1935

2418

1258

1610

2013

NOTE: To achieve fixity, provide N16-900 vertical starter bars 1200mm long overall, placed central in the wall

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3.3

OZM200

FLEXURAL CAPACITY
Values below are the maximum ultimate uniformly distributed horizontal load, in kPa.
Vertical reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous vertical reinforcement placed centrally, and
should be lapped as required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM

218
N12 Vertical reinforcement spacing (mm)
900
600
300
1.74
2.61
5.21
2.00
2.99
5.99
2.31
3.47
6.94
2.72
4.07
8.15
3.23
4.85
9.70
3.91
5.87
11.73
4.83
7.24
14.49
6.11
9.17
18.33
7.98
11.97
23.95
10.86
16.30
32.59

H.wu (mm)
4500
4200
3900
3600
3300
3000
2700
2400
2100
1800

IN-PLANE HORIZONTAL SHEAR CAPACITY

Values below are the maximum ultimate horizontal in-plane shear capacity in kN/m length of wall.
Reinforcement as noted in the table is continuous reinforcement placed centrally, and should be lapped as
required in accordance with AS3600.

OZM
Lesser of horz reo
and vert reo

218

Hw/Lw < 1.0

(ultimate in-plane shear capacity in kN/m)

f'c (Mpa)

25

32

40

N12-900

57

60

63

N12-600

72

76

79

N12-300

119

123

126

N16-300

196

200

203

N20-300

291

294

297

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