Design Guidelines Handbook

4. Design Guidelines Handbook

4.1 Reinforced Elements
4.2 Masonry
 Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec AAC products can be divided in two main
groups:
- Non-reinforced elements (blocks).
- Reinforced elements (floor, roof and wall panels,
and lintels).
The basis and assumptions used in the design
methodology for buildings composed of AAC
elements are described in this Chapter and are
presented as a descriptive summary. For more
detailed information and specific questions, refer
to Contec’s Design Handbook or contact Contec’s
Technical Department.
4.1 Reinforced Elements
This section describes the design methodology
for structures composed of AAC reinforced
elements.
4.1.1 Analysis and Design
Fundamentals
Design approach mostly follows the
recommended practice described by RILEM
International Committees 78-MCA and 51-ALC
in ‘Autoclaved Aerated Concrete-Properties,
Testing and Design’. However, safety and
serviceability requirements specified by ACI 318-
95 are also satisfied at every step. In addition,
recommendations given by ACI Committee 523
and described in ACI 523.2/R-96 “Guide for
Precast Cellular Concrete Floor, Roof and Wall
Units” are considered.
Although the strength design is based on ultimate
limit states, following guidelines of ACI 523.2/R-
96, the stresses under service loads are also
revised with the allowable stress theory specified
by ACI 318-95 in Appendix A.
The load bearing capacity is then defined as the
lesser value determined by two design
approaches (ultimate strength and allowable
stresses).
For the serviceability limit states, the requirements
specified by ACI 318-95 are considered directly.
4.1.2 Analysis Assumptions
Strength and serviceability limit states (ultimate)
are considered in the design methodology.
Revisions for flexural and shear strength,
anchorage, deformations, control of cracking and
fire resistance are considered.
In addition, a comparison versus the Alternate
Design Method of ACI 318-95 (allowable
stresses) is also included.
The assumptions made for the purpose of this
design method are listed below:
w Expressions derived under the requirements
of equilibrium and compatibility of deformations
using stress-strain diagrams are used.
w In AAC reinforced elements, it is assumed that
AAC has no tensile strength.
w Roof and floor slab panels are considered as
simply-supported (pinned) elements subjected
to uniform distributed perpendicular-to-plane
loads. In-plane load is not considered for slab
panels.
w The contribution of the existing compressive
reinforcement is taken into account.
w No shear reinforcement is considered for
reinforced panels (unreinforced web).
4.1.3 Design Tables
This section includes design tables for AAC
reinforced, which are intended to help the
designer in selecting the appropriate panel.
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Design Guidelines Handbook
The following assumptions were made to
elaborate these tables:
a) Only 61.0 cm (2 ft) wide AAC reinforced
panels are considered.
b) AAC cover for both compression and
tension reinforcing steel is 1.4 cm (1/2”).
c) No additional reinforcement cover for fire
resistance is included.
d) Reinforcing steel is grade 70.
e) Flexure, shear, deformation, anchorage and
cracking control have been all considered in
calculating these tables.
f) In order to perform deformation calculations,
the following load proportions was used:
Surcharge loads shown on tables are
assumed to be 60% dead load and 40% live
load (self-weight of the panel is not included on
surcharge loads).
From the superimposed dead load, 50% is
assumed to be applied before the construction
of adjoining members and 50% after this
occurs.
g) Although the surcharge loads shown in
these tables are maximum allowable, when
distributed loads over 153 psi are required
(shaded in tables), Contec’s Technical
Department must be consulted to review
the calculations.
Design tables for cases not fallen within the
considerations shown above, are available
upon request to Contec’s Technical
Department.
4-2
How to use these tables
a) Determine the panels service surcharge
load (governing local codes must be use for
each case).
b) Determine the design span length, as shown
in figure:
Panel Length, l
Support length
Sp Sp
1/2 Sp 1/2 Sp
Design Length, ld
Unsupported Length, ls
c) Refer to design tables with service
surcharge distributed load to find the panel
thickness.
Two different design tables are provided for
this purpose: One design table for GB3.3/
0.6 AAC class and one design table for
GB4.4/0.7 AAC class. When deciding the
AAC class to use, its important to consider
the following facts:
u GB3.3/0.6 AAC class panels have lower
load bearing capacities than GB4.4, but
perform better under thermal or fire
requirements.
u GB4.4/0.7 AAC class panels have greater
load bearing capacities but lower thermal
and fire endurance properties although they
perform better under acoustic requirements.
An example of how to look for an AAC panel
is to determine the thickness of a panel
needed to meet the following requirements:
u Design length, ld = 10 ft
u AAC class is GB4.4/0.7
u Service load = 90 psi
Using design table 4.2, we can determine that
the adequate panel thickness would be 6”
(maximum service load is 127 psf ).
 Design Guidelines Handbook
Table 4.1 Maximum service loads for Contec AAC reinforced panels

AAC Class GB33 - Panel Width 2.0 ft

Steel Class 70 - Additional Cover (Fire Res.) 0.0 in
r 37.4 lb/ft3 Bending Failure Case 3 -
Thickness (in) 4 5 6 7 8 10 12
Self weight (psf) 14.7 18.4 22.1 25.8 29.5 36.8 44.2
Length qs qs qs qs qs qs qs
(ft) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf)
3.00 276 358 441 523 607 772 939
3.33 247 320 395 468 543 691 840
3.67 223 290 357 423 491 625 760
4.00 194 264 326 386 448 570 693
4.33 169 242 299 354 411 523 636
4.67 148 224 276 327 379 483 588
5.00 132 198 256 304 352 448 546
5.33 118 177 239 283 328 418 509
5.67 106 159 223 265 307 391 476
6.00 96 144 210 249 289 367 447
6.33 86 131 191 234 272 346 421
6.67 77 119 174 221 257 327 398
7.00 68 109 159 209 243 310 377
7.33 61 101 146 198 231 294 358
7.67 54 93 135 182 219 280 340
8.00 49 86 125 168 209 266 324
8.33 44 80 116 156 197 254 310
8.67 39 74 108 145 183 243 296
9.00 35 69 100 135 171 233 283
9.33 32 64 94 126 159 223 272
9.67 29 58 88 118 149 214 261
10.00 - 53 82 111 140 206 251
10.33 - 49 77 104 131 198 241
10.67 - 45 73 98 123 191 232
11.00 - 41 67 92 116 180 219
11.33 - 37 62 87 110 170 207
11.67 - 34 57 82 103 160 195
12.00 - 28 53 77 98 152 185
12.33 - - 49 73 93 143 175
12.67 - - 45 69 88 136 166
13.00 - - 42 66 83 129 157
13.33 - - 38 62 79 122 149
13.67 - - 36 59 75 116 142
14.00 - - 33 55 71 111 135
14.33 - - 30 52 68 105 129
14.67 - - 26 48 64 100 123
15.00 - - - 45 61 96 117
15.33 - - - 42 58 91 112
15.67 - - - 39 55 87 106
16.00 - - - 36 52 83 102
16.33 - - - 34 48 79 97
16.67 - - - 32 45 76 93
17.00 - - - 29 42 73 89
17.33 - - - - 40 69 85
17.67 - - - - 37 66 81
18.00 - - - - 35 64 78
18.33 - - - - 32 61 74
18.67 - - - - 30 58 71
19.00 - - - - 28 56 68
19.33 - - - - 26 53 65
19.67 - - - - 24 51 63
20.00 - - - - - 49 60

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Design Guidelines Handbook
Table 4.2 Maximum service loads for Contec AAC reinforced panels

AAC Class GB44 - Panel Width 2.0 ft

Steel Class 70 - Additional Cover (Fire Res.) 0.0 in
r 43.7 lb/ft3 Bending Failure Case 3 -
Thickness (in) 4 5 6 7 8 10 12
Self weight (psf) 17.2 21.5 25.8 30.1 34.4 43.0 51.6
Length qs qs qs qs qs qs qs
(ft) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (psf)
3.00 396 514 634 752 872 1,112 1,353
3.33 355 460 568 673 781 997 1,212
3.67 321 416 514 610 707 902 1,097
4.00 293 380 469 556 645 823 1,002
4.33 269 349 431 511 593 757 921
4.67 239 323 398 472 548 700 851
5.00 213 300 370 439 509 650 791
5.33 188 280 345 410 475 607 738
5.67 165 262 323 384 445 569 692
6.00 145 244 304 361 419 535 650
6.33 129 223 287 340 395 504 614
6.67 114 205 271 322 373 477 580
7.00 102 189 250 305 354 452 550
7.33 92 172 231 290 336 430 523
7.67 82 156 214 276 320 409 498
8.00 74 141 199 258 305 390 475
8.33 67 129 186 240 292 373 454
8.67 61 117 174 225 279 357 434
9.00 55 107 162 211 262 335 408
9.33 50 98 149 198 246 315 383
9.67 45 90 137 186 232 296 361
10.00 - 83 127 176 218 279 340
10.33 - 76 117 166 206 264 321
10.67 - 70 108 157 195 250 304
11.00 - 65 100 149 185 236 288
11.33 - 60 93 141 175 224 273
11.67 - 55 86 132 167 213 260
12.00 - 51 80 124 158 203 247
12.33 - - 74 115 151 193 236
12.67 - - 69 108 144 184 225
13.00 - - 64 101 137 176 214
13.33 - - 60 94 128 168 205
13.67 - - 56 88 121 161 196
14.00 - - 52 83 113 154 188
14.33 - - 48 78 106 147 180
14.67 - - 45 73 100 141 172
15.00 - - - 68 94 136 165
15.33 - - - 64 89 130 159
15.67 - - - 60 84 125 153
16.00 - - - 56 79 120 147
16.33 - - - 53 74 115 141
16.67 - - - 50 70 111 136
17.00 - - - 46 66 106 131
17.33 - - - - 62 100 126
17.67 - - - - 58 95 121
18.00 - - - - 55 89 116
18.33 - - - - 52 85 110
18.67 - - - - 49 80 104
19.00 - - - - 46 76 99
19.33 - - - - 43 72 93
19.67 - - - - 40 68 89
20.00 - - - - - 64 84

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 Design Guidelines Handbook
4.2 Masonry
Contec masonry construction consists of AAC wall
units (blocks), bonded together with thin-bed
adhesive mortar, to build load bearing and non-
load bearing walls.
The masonry units manufactured by Contec are
solid, and therefore can be used for unreinforced
masonry construction. Design tables calculated
for Contec masonry products, to be used for
unreinforced wall construction are provided in this
section.
4.2.1 Analysis and design
fundamentals
This design methodology is entirely based on
elastic analysis, using service loads and
permissible stresses in accordance with design
philosophy provided in ACI 530-95/ASCE 5-95/
TMS 402-95 “Building Code Requirements for
Masonry Structures” (wherever applicable).
Masonry structures can be of various types: single
leaf or multiwythe walls, columns and pilasters;
and ACI 530-95 contains provisions for these
structures.
Most masonry structures are walls. A wall is
defined by ACI 530-95 (Section 2.2) as a “vertical
element with a horizontal length to thickness ratio
greater than 3, used to enclose spaces. Elements
with a horizontal length less than or equal to three
times their thickness are considered as columns.
The distinction between “walls” and “columns” is
relevant because of the specific requirements
specified for columns by ACI 530-95. This chapter
is intended to describe a design procedure for
masonry walls only.
The design procedure is based upon allowable
stress method, in which the effect of service loads
on structural members permits an elastic analysis
(see ACI 530-95, Section 5.1). In order to apply
this design philosophy, the following assumptions
are made:
u As explained above, AAC masonry is
considered as unreinforced masonry; therefore,
tensile resistance of masonry is taken into
consideration, and the contribution of
reinforcing steel (if any, to control the effects of
movements from temperature changes and
shrinkage) is neglected.
u It is assumed that structural materials follow
Hooke´s Law, i.e., deformations and strains are
linearly proportional to the loads and stresses.
u All materials are homogeneous and isotropic.
u Tensile strength of masonry is neglected in
design when masonry is subjected to axial
tension forces. (See ACI 530-95, Section 6.4.1).
Masonry remains uncracked under the
effects of design loads.
4.2.2 Strength Limits
The purpose of this design methodology for
masonry walls is to assure an adequate structural
performance under service conditions.
Fundamental to the structural adequacy of
masonry construction is the requirement for
considering the stresses acting on the masonry
wall, equal or lower than those specified as
maximum allowable stresses.
The design methodology should also ensure that
there is an adequate margin of safety against a
serviceability limit being reached. Normally, an
adequate margin may be assumed to exist when
the design satisfies the requirements for allowable
stresses.
Strength limits for masonry walls are described
briefly in the following sections.
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Design Guidelines Handbook
w AXIAL COMPRESSION
In all cases, a minimum eccentricity is used in
order to account for construction imperfections.
The effect of the geometry of the element and
the stability of the material (buckling) is also
considered.
w FLEXURE
The allowable tensile stress is calculated based
on the Modulus of Rupture of the material. A
value of 80 psi for MOR is considered. Buckling
is also checked.
w AXIAL-FLEXURE
The combination of effects of axial and flexural
stresses is considered using the unity
interaction equation (ACI 530-95, Section
6.3.1). Buckling effect shall also be considered
in calculation of allowable compressive stress.
The computed tensile stress shall not exceed
the allowable tensile stress. For allowable
tensile stress, a value of 24 psi is considered.
w SHEAR
ACI 530-95 (Section 6.5.2) specifies limits for
shear stresses acting on a masonry wall
element. However, these stresses are defined
for normal concrete and they are not applicable
for AAC masonry walls. Therefore, to define
the allowable shear stresses, DIN 1053,
Masonry of Simplified Design is used.
4-6
w BEARING
As indicated by ACI 530-95 (Section 5.12.3),
the allowable bearing stress is taken as 25%
of the specified compressive strength of
masonry.
For stress distribution within the wall due to the
application of concentrated loads, an angle of
45° is suggested by ACI 530/95. However, as
a general rule, for computing compressive
stress for walls laid in running bond pattern,
concentrated loads with uniform spacing can
be considered to have the same effect as
uniform loads along the entire length of the wall
when their spacing is less than or equal to the
width of bearing plus four times the wall
thickness and the distance of the first and last
concentrated load from the edge of the wall is
less than or equal to one half of the maximum
load spacing described.
For openings in masonry, recommendations of
ACI 530-95 Masonry Designer’s Guide shall
be considered.
It is important to notice that ACI 530-95 (Section
5.6) states that, for beams and lintels providing
support to unreinforced masonry elements,
deflections due to dead plus live loads shall
not exceed L/600 ratio nor 7.5 mm (0.3 in).
4.2.3 Design Tables
 Design Guidelines Handbook
This section includes design tables for AAC
unreinforced masonry walls, which are intended
to help the designer obtain the maximum
horizontal or vertical allowable service load to be
applied on them.

These design tables are divided in two groups:

one of them is to obtain the allowable axial
surcharge loads, and the other group is to obtain
the maximum allowable lateral loads for different
axial surcharge loads. The design tables are
calculated for both, GP2/0.5 and GP4/0.7 classes,
and for different eccentricity of vertical loads and
various AAC block thickness.

A brief guide on the use of these design tables is

described next:
- Evaluate the uniformly distributed vertical and
horizontal loads acting in the masonry wall (of
a predetermined thickness).

- Refer to Table 4.3 with the wall thickness, wall

height and eccentricity of axial loads to obtain
the allowable axial surcharge load.
- Refer to Table 9.4 with the wall thickness, wall
height, value and eccentricity of axial loads to
obtain the maximum allowable lateral load.

- The service loads acting on the masonry wall

have to be equal or lower than the allowable
loads obtained from the design tables.

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Design Guidelines Handbook
Table 4.3 Allowable axial surcharge loads for Contec AAC
unreinforced masonry (kips/ft).
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 6 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 t/10=0.59 0.75 t/6=0.98 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 6.101 5.190 4.276 3.950 3.553 3.188 2.908 2.186 1.648
3.5 6.040 5.153 4.251 3.929 3.535 3.174 2.896 2.186 1.648
4.0 5.971 5.111 4.222 3.904 3.515 3.158 2.883 2.186 1.587
4.5 5.894 5.062 4.189 3.876 3.492 3.140 2.867 2.186 1.254
5.0 5.809 5.008 4.151 3.844 3.466 3.119 2.850 2.041 1.016
5.5 5.716 4.947 4.110 3.808 3.437 3.095 2.830 1.687 0.839
6.0 5.616 4.881 4.064 3.769 3.405 3.069 2.495 1.417 0.705
6.5 5.507 4.809 4.014 3.725 3.370 3.040 2.126 1.208 0.601
7.0 5.390 4.730 3.959 3.678 3.331 2.950 1.833 1.041 0.518
7.5 5.266 4.645 3.899 3.626 3.288 2.570 1.597 0.907 0.451
8.0 5.133 4.553 3.834 3.570 3.242 2.259 1.404 0.797 0.397
8.5 4.992 4.455 3.764 3.510 3.090 2.001 1.243 0.706 0.351
9.0 4.844 4.351 3.689 3.444 2.757 1.785 1.109 0.630 0.313
9.5 4.687 4.239 3.609 3.374 2.474 1.602 0.995 0.565 0.281
10.0 4.523 4.121 3.523 3.128 2.233 1.446 0.898 0.510 0.254

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 6 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 t/10=0.59 0.75 t/6=0.98 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 12.235 10.380 8.552 7.900 7.105 6.299 3.246 2.186 1.648
3.5 12.119 10.306 8.502 7.858 7.070 6.299 3.246 2.186 1.648
4.0 11.986 10.221 8.444 7.808 7.030 6.299 3.246 2.186 1.648
4.5 11.838 10.124 8.377 7.751 6.984 6.279 3.246 2.186 1.648
5.0 11.674 10.016 8.303 7.687 6.932 6.237 3.246 2.186 1.523
5.5 11.494 9.895 8.220 7.616 6.874 6.190 3.246 2.186 1.259
6.0 11.298 9.762 8.128 7.537 6.810 6.024 3.246 2.126 1.058
6.5 11.086 9.617 8.027 7.450 6.739 5.133 3.189 1.811 0.901
7.0 10.858 9.460 7.917 7.356 6.661 4.426 2.750 1.562 0.777
7.5 10.614 9.290 7.798 7.252 5.954 3.855 2.396 1.361 0.677
8.0 10.354 9.107 7.668 7.140 5.233 3.388 2.106 1.196 0.595
8.5 10.079 8.911 7.529 6.493 4.636 3.002 1.865 1.059 0.527
9.0 9.787 8.701 7.142 5.792 4.135 2.677 1.664 0.945 0.470
9.5 9.480 8.478 6.410 5.198 3.711 2.403 1.493 0.848 0.422
10.0 9.156 8.241 5.785 4.692 3.349 2.169 1.348 0.765 0.381

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 Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 7 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 t/10=0.69 1.00 t/6=1.15 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 7.162 6.227 5.470 5.010 4.401 4.159 3.681 3.403 2.675
3.5 7.107 6.194 5.445 4.989 4.384 4.145 3.669 3.393 2.675
4.0 7.045 6.156 5.415 4.964 4.365 4.128 3.656 3.381 2.675
4.5 6.976 6.113 5.382 4.936 4.343 4.108 3.641 3.368 2.675
5.0 6.901 6.064 5.344 4.904 4.319 4.086 3.623 3.353 2.675
5.5 6.818 6.010 5.302 4.869 4.291 4.062 3.604 3.337 2.675
6.0 6.729 5.951 5.256 4.830 4.261 4.035 3.583 3.319 2.457
6.5 6.633 5.887 5.206 4.787 4.228 4.005 3.559 3.298 2.093
7.0 6.530 5.817 5.151 4.741 4.192 3.972 3.534 2.911 1.805
7.5 6.420 5.742 5.092 4.691 4.153 3.937 3.506 2.536 1.572
8.0 6.304 5.661 5.029 4.637 4.110 3.899 3.366 2.229 1.382
8.5 6.181 5.575 4.961 4.579 4.065 3.858 2.982 1.974 1.224
9.0 6.050 5.483 4.888 4.517 4.016 3.814 2.660 1.761 1.092
9.5 5.913 5.386 4.810 4.451 3.963 3.766 2.387 1.581 0.980
10.0 5.769 5.282 4.727 4.380 3.907 3.546 2.154 1.427 0.884

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 7 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 t/10=0.69 1.00 t/6=1.15 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 14.363 12.454 10.940 10.020 8.801 8.319 6.478 3.787 2.675
3.5 14.259 12.388 10.889 9.977 8.768 8.289 6.478 3.787 2.675
4.0 14.142 12.312 10.830 9.928 8.730 8.255 6.478 3.787 2.675
4.5 14.011 12.225 10.763 9.871 8.686 8.216 6.478 3.787 2.675
5.0 13.866 12.128 10.688 9.808 8.637 8.172 6.478 3.787 2.675
5.5 13.708 12.021 10.605 9.738 8.583 8.123 6.478 3.787 2.675
6.0 13.536 11.903 10.513 9.660 8.522 8.069 6.478 3.787 2.675
6.5 13.350 11.774 10.412 9.575 8.456 8.010 6.478 3.787 2.675
7.0 13.151 11.634 10.303 9.483 8.384 7.945 6.478 3.787 2.675
7.5 12.938 11.484 10.185 9.382 8.305 7.875 5.745 3.787 2.358
8.0 12.711 11.323 10.058 9.274 8.221 7.798 5.050 3.343 2.073
8.5 12.471 11.150 9.921 9.158 8.129 7.361 4.473 2.962 1.836
9.0 12.217 10.966 9.776 9.034 7.921 6.566 3.990 2.642 1.638
9.5 11.949 10.771 9.620 8.901 7.109 5.893 3.581 2.371 1.470
10.0 11.668 10.564 9.455 8.759 6.416 5.318 3.232 2.140 1.327

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Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 8 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 t/10=0.69 1.00 t/6=1.31 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 8.218 7.267 6.468 5.741 5.301 4.764 4.491 4.172 3.896
3.5 8.167 7.237 6.444 5.723 5.285 4.752 4.480 4.163 3.887
4.0 8.110 7.203 6.417 5.701 5.267 4.737 4.467 4.151 3.877
4.5 8.047 7.164 6.385 5.677 5.246 4.720 4.451 4.138 3.866
5.0 7.978 7.120 6.351 5.649 5.222 4.701 4.435 4.123 3.853
5.5 7.903 7.071 6.312 5.619 5.196 4.680 4.416 4.107 3.839
6.0 7.822 7.018 6.270 5.585 5.167 4.656 4.395 4.089 3.823
6.5 7.735 7.960 6.223 5.548 5.136 4.631 4.372 4.069 3.806
7.0 7.642 7.897 6.173 5.508 5.102 4.603 4.347 4.048 3.787
7.5 7.543 6.830 6.119 5.465 5.065 4.573 4.320 4.025 3.767
8.0 7.438 6.757 6.061 5.419 5.025 4.540 4.291 3.999 3.327
8.5 7.328 6.680 5.999 5.369 4.982 4.505 4.260 3.972 2.947
9.0 7.211 6.598 5.932 5.316 4.936 4.467 4.226 3.782 2.629
9.5 7.088 6.511 5.862 5.259 4.887 4.427 4.190 3.395 2.359
10.0 6.959 6.418 5.787 5.198 4.835 4.384 4.152 3.064 2.129

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 8 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 t/10=0.79 1.00 t/6=1.31 1.50 1.75 2.00
3.0 16.484 14.534 12.935 11.483 10.602 9.529 8.982 6.800 4.328
3.5 16.386 14.474 12.888 11.446 10.571 9.503 8.960 6.800 4.328
4.0 16.279 14.405 12.833 11.402 10.534 9.473 8.933 6.800 4.328
4.5 16.160 14.327 12.771 11.353 10.492 9.439 8.903 6.800 4.328
5.0 16.030 14.240 12.701 11.298 10.445 9.401 8.869 6.800 4.328
5.5 15.887 14.143 12.624 11.237 10.393 9.359 8.831 6.800 4.328
6.0 15.733 14.306 12.539 11.170 10.335 9.312 8.790 6.800 4.328
6.5 15.566 13.920 12.447 11.096 10.272 9.261 8.744 6.800 4.328
7.0 15.388 13.795 12.346 11.016 10.203 9.205 8.694 6.800 4.328
7.5 15.197 13.660 12.238 10.930 10.129 9.145 8.641 6.800 4.328
8.0 14.995 13.515 12.122 10.837 10.050 9.080 8.582 6.800 4.328
8.5 14.781 13.360 11.997 10.738 9.964 9.010 8.520 6.360 4.328
9.0 14.554 13.196 11.864 10.631 9.872 8.935 7.847 5.673 3.943
9.5 14.316 13.021 11.723 10.518 9.774 8.797 7.043 5.092 3.539
10.0 14.066 12.837 11.573 10.397 9.670 7.939 6.356 4.595 3.194

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 Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 10 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 t/10=0.98 1.25 1.50 t/6=1.64 2.00 2.25
3.0 10.321 9.353 8.849 7.771 7.200 6.646 6.98 5.971 5.461 5.154
3.5 10.275 9.328 8.468 7.753 7.185 6.634 6.187 5.961 5.452 5.147
4.0 10.224 9.299 8.444 7.733 7.168 6.619 6.174 5.949 5.442 5.138
4.5 10.168 9.266 8.417 7.711 7.148 6.602 6.160 5.936 5.431 5.128
5.0 10.107 9.230 8.837 7.685 7.126 6.584 6.143 5.921 5.419 5.117
5.5 10.041 9.189 8.353 7.657 7.102 6.563 6.125 5.904 5.404 5.104
6.0 9.971 9.144 8.316 7.626 7.076 6.540 6.105 5.886 5.389 5.090
6.5 9.896 9.096 8.276 7.592 7.047 6.515 6.084 5.886 5.372 5.075
7.0 9.816 9.044 8.233 7.556 7.015 6.488 6.060 5.844 5.354 5.059
7.5 9.731 8.987 8.186 7.516 6.981 6.459 6.035 5.820 5.334 5.041
8.0 9.642 8.927 8.136 7.474 6.945 6.428 6.008 5.795 5.313 5.022
8.5 9.548 8.863 8.083 7.429 6.906 6.395 5.979 5.768 5.290 5.002

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 10 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity(in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 t/10=0.98 1.25 1.50 t/6=1.64 2.00 2.25
3.0 20.698 18.706 16.977 15.541 14.400 13.292 12.395 11.943 10.922 7.628
3.5 20.614 18.656 16.936 15.507 14.370 13.267 12.373 11.922 10.905 7.628
4.0 20.521 18.598 16.888 15.467 14.336 13.238 12.348 11.899 10.885 7.628
4.5 20.418 18.532 16.834 15.421 14.297 13.204 12.319 11.872 10.862 7.628
5.0 20.306 18.459 16.774 15.370 14.253 13.167 12.287 11.842 10.837 7.628
5.5 20.184 18.378 16.707 15.314 14.205 13.126 12.250 11.808 10.809 7.628
6.0 20.053 18.289 16.633 15.252 14.151 13.080 12.211 11.771 10.778 7.628
6.5 19.912 18.192 16.553 15.185 14.093 13.031 12.168 11.731 10.744 7.628
7.0 19.761 18.087 16.466 15.112 14.030 12.977 12.121 11.688 10.708 7.628
7.5 19.601 17.974 16.373 15.033 13.962 12.919 12.070 11.640 10.668 7.628
8.0 19.432 17.854 16.272 14.948 13.889 12.856 12.015 11.590 10.626 7.628
8.5 19.252 17725 16.166 14.858 13.811 12.789 11.957 11.535 10.580 7.628
9.0 19.064 17.589 16.052 14.762 13.728 12.718 11.895 11.477 10.531 7.628
9.5 18.865 17.444 15.931 14.660 13.640 12.642 11.828 11.416 10.479 7.628
10.0 18.658 17.291 15.804 14.552 13.546 12.562 11.758 11.350 10.424 7.628

4-11
Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 12 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 t/10=1.18 1.50 1.75 t/6=1.97 2.25
3.0 12.417 11.444 10.533 9.756 9.086 8.655 7.988 7.533 7.176 6.763
3.5 12.373 11.422 110.514 9.740 9.072 8.643 7.978 7.524 7.168 6.755
4.0 12.324 11.397 10.493 9.722 9.056 8.628 7.966 7.513 7.58 6.747
4.5 12.272 11.369 10.469 9.701 9.038 8.612 7.952 7.501 7.147 6.737
5.0 12.216 11.337 10.442 9.678 9.018 8.594 7.936 7.487 7.134 6.726
5.5 12.156 11.302 10.413 9.653 8.996 8.574 7.919 7.472 7.120 6.713
6.0 12.091 11.264 10.380 9.625 8.972 8.552 7.900 7.455 7.105 6.700
6.5 12.023 11.222 10.345 9.594 8.946 8.528 7.880 7.437 7.088 6.685
7.0 11.951 11.177 10.306 9.561 8.917 8.502 7.858 7.417 7.070 6.669
7.5 11.875 11.129 10.265 9.526 8.886 8.474 7.834 7.396 7.051 6.652
8.0 11.795 11.077 10.221 9.488 8.853 8.444 7.808 7.373 7.030 6.633
8.5 11.711 11.022 10.174 9.448 8.818 8.412 7.780 7.348 7.008 6.613
9.0 11.622 10.963 10.124 9.404 8.780 8.377 7.751 7.322 6.984 6.592
9.5 11.530 11.901 10.071 9.359 8.740 8.341 7.720 7.294 6.959 6.570
10.0 11.434 11.836 10.016 9.311 8.698 8.303 7.687 7.265 6.932 6.546

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 12 in (nominal).
Wall height Eccentricity (in)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 t/10=1.18 1.50 1.75 t/6=1.97 2.25
3.0 24.900 22.887 21.065 19.511 18.171 17.310 15.976 15.067 14.352 13.526
3.5 24.823 22.844 21.028 19.480 18.144 17.285 15.955 15.048 14.335 13.511
4.0 24.737 22.794 20.986 19.444 18.113 17.257 15.931 15.026 14.316 13.493
4.5 24.644 22.738 20.938 19.403 18.077 17.224 15.903 15.002 14.293 13.484
5.0 24.542 22.675 20.885 19.357 18.037 17.188 15.872 14.974 14.268 13.451
5.5 24.433 22.605 20.825 19.306 17.993 17.148 15.838 14.944 14.240 13.427
6.0 24.315 22.528 20.760 19.250 17.944 17.104 15.801 14.910 14.210 13.400
6.5 24.190 22.445 20.689 19.189 17.891 17.056 15.760 14.873 14.177 13.370
7.0 24.057 22.355 20.613 19.123 17.834 17.003 15.715 14.834 14.141 13.338
7.5 23.916 22.258 20.531 19.052 17.772 16.947 15.667 14.791 14.102 13.304
8.0 23.766 22.154 20.442 18.976 17.706 16.887 15.616 14.745 14.060 13.266
8.5 23.609 22.044 20.348 18.895 17.635 16.823 15.561 14.696 14.016 13.227
9.0 23.444 21.927 20.249 18.809 17.560 16.755 15.502 14.644 13.968 13.185
9.5 23.271 21.803 20.143 18.718 17.481 16.682 15.440 14.589 13.918 13.140
10.0 23.090 21.672 20.031 18.621 17.397 16.606 15.375 14.530 13.865 13.092

4-12
 Design Guidelines Handbook
Table 4.4 Maximum allowable lateral loads for Contec AAC
unreinforced masonry (psf).
Contec GP2/0.5 Block,
t = 6 in (nominal), “e“ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 167 167 180 176 192 185 205 194 218 203 231 213
3.5 123 123 132 130 142 136 151 143 160 150 170 156
4.0 94 94 101 99 109 105 116 110 123 115 130 120
4.5 75 75 80 79 86 83 92 87 97 91 103 95
5.0 61 61 65 64 70 67 74 70 79 74 84 77
5.5 50 50 54 53 58 56 62 58 65 61 69 64
6.0 42 42 45 45 49 47 52 49 55 51 58 54
6.5 36 36 39 38 41 40 44 42 47 44 50 46
7.0 31 31 33 33 36 35 38 36 41 38 43 40
7.5 27 27 29 29 31 30 33 32 35 33 37 34
8.0 24 24 26 25 28 27 29 28 31 29 33 30
8.5 21 21 23 22 24 24 26 25 28 26 29 27
9.0 19 19 20 20 22 21 23 22 25 23 26 24
9.5 17 17 18 18 20 19 21 20 22 21 23 22
10.0 15 15 17 16 18 17 19 18 20 19 21 20

Contec GP4/0.7 Block,

t = 6 in (nominal), “e“ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 168 168 181 177 193 186 206 195 219 204 232 213
3.5 124 124 133 130 142 137 152 144 161 150 170 157
4.0 95 95 102 100 109 105 116 110 124 115 131 121
4.5 75 75 81 79 87 83 92 87 98 91 104 95
5.0 61 61 66 64 70 68 75 71 79 74 84 77
5.5 51 51 54 53 58 56 62 59 66 61 70 64
6.0 43 43 46 45 49 47 52 49 55 52 59 54
6.5 36 36 39 38 42 40 45 42 47 44 50 46
7.0 32 32 34 33 36 35 39 37 41 38 43 40
7.5 28 28 30 29 32 30 34 32 36 33 38 35
8.0 24 24 26 26 28 27 30 28 31 29 33 31
8.5 22 22 23 23 25 24 26 25 28 26 29 27
9.0 19 19 21 20 22 21 24 22 25 23 26 24
9.5 17 17 19 18 20 19 21 20 22 21 24 22
10.0 16 16 17 17 18 17 19 18 20 19 21 20

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Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block
t = 7 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 228 228 242 238 257 249 272 259 287 270 302 281
3.5 168 168 178 175 189 183 200 191 211 199 222 207
4.0 129 129 137 135 145 140 154 146 162 152 170 158
4.5 102 102 108 106 115 111 122 116 128 121 135 125
5.0 83 83 88 86 93 90 99 94 104 98 109 102
5.5 68 68 73 72 77 75 82 78 86 81 91 84
6.0 58 58 61 60 65 63 69 66 72 68 76 71
6.5 49 49 52 51 55 54 59 56 62 58 65 60
7.0 42 42 45 44 48 46 51 48 53 50 56 52
7.5 37 37 39 39 42 40 44 42 47 44 49 46
8.0 33 33 35 34 37 36 39 37 41 39 43 40
8.5 29 29 31 30 33 32 35 33 36 34 38 36
9.0 26 26 28 27 29 28 31 29 33 31 34 32
9.5 23 23 25 24 26 25 28 26 29 28 31 29
10.0 21 21 22 22 24 23 25 24 26 25 28 26
Contec GP4/0.7 Block
t = 7 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 229 229 244 239 258 250 273 261 288 271 303 282
3.5 168 168 179 176 190 184 201 192 212 200 223 208
4.0 129 129 138 135 146 141 154 147 163 153 171 159
4.5 102 102 109 107 116 112 122 117 129 121 136 126
5.0 83 83 89 87 94 91 99 95 105 99 110 102
5.5 69 69 73 72 78 75 82 78 87 82 91 85
6.0 58 58 62 61 66 63 69 66 73 69 77 71
6.5 50 50 53 52 56 54 59 56 62 59 66 61
7.0 43 43 46 45 48 47 51 49 54 51 57 53
7.5 38 38 40 39 42 41 45 43 47 44 49 46
8.0 33 33 35 35 37 36 39 38 41 39 44 41
8.5 29 29 31 31 33 32 35 33 37 35 39 36
9.0 26 26 28 27 30 29 31 30 33 31 35 32
9.5 24 24 25 25 27 26 28 27 30 28 31 29
10.0 21 21 23 22 24 23 25 24 27 25 28 26

4-14
 Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block
t = 8 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 297 297 314 309 331 321 348 333 365 345 382 358
3.5 218 218 231 227 243 236 256 245 268 254 281 263
4.0 168 168 177 174 187 181 196 188 206 195 215 202
4.5 133 133 140 138 148 143 155 149 163 154 171 160
5.0 108 108 114 112 120 116 126 121 132 125 138 130
5.5 89 89 94 93 99 96 104 100 109 104 114 107
6.0 75 75 79 78 84 81 88 84 92 87 96 90
6.5 64 64 68 67 71 69 75 72 79 74 82 77
7.0 55 55 59 58 62 60 65 62 68 64 71 67
7.5 48 48 51 50 54 52 57 54 59 56 62 58
8.0 43 43 45 44 47 46 50 48 52 49 55 51
8.5 38 38 40 39 42 41 44 42 46 44 48 45
9.0 34 34 36 35 38 36 39 38 41 39 43 41
9.5 30 30 32 32 34 33 35 34 37 35 39 36
10.0 27 27 29 29 31 30 32 31 34 32 35 33
Contec GP4/0.7 Block
t = 8 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 298 298 315 310 332 323 349 335 366 347 383 359
3.5 220 220 232 229 245 238 257 246 270 255 282 264
4.0 169 169 178 176 188 182 197 189 207 196 217 203
4.5 134 134 141 139 149 144 156 150 164 155 171 161
5.0 109 109 115 113 121 117 127 122 133 126 139 130
5.5 90 90 95 94 100 97 105 101 110 104 115 108
6.0 76 76 80 79 84 82 89 85 93 88 97 91
6.5 65 65 68 67 72 70 76 73 79 75 83 78
7.0 56 56 59 58 62 60 65 63 69 65 72 67
7.5 49 49 52 51 54 53 57 55 60 57 63 59
8.0 43 43 46 45 48 47 50 48 53 50 55 52
8.5 38 38 40 40 43 41 45 43 47 44 49 46
9.0 34 34 36 36 38 37 40 38 42 40 44 41
9.5 31 31 33 32 34 33 36 34 38 36 39 37
10.0 28 28 29 29 31 30 32 31 34 32 36 33

4-15
Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block
t = 10 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 464 464 485 479 506 494 528 509 549 524 570 540
3.5 341 341 357 353 373 364 388 375 404 386 419 397
4.0 262 262 274 270 286 279 298 288 310 296 322 305
4.5 207 207 217 214 226 221 236 228 245 234 255 241
5.0 168 168 176 174 184 179 191 185 199 190 207 196
5.5 139 139 146 144 152 148 158 153 165 157 171 162
6.0 117 117 123 121 128 125 133 129 139 133 144 136
6.5 100 100 105 103 109 107 114 110 118 113 123 116
7.0 87 87 90 89 94 92 98 95 102 98 106 100
7.5 76 76 79 78 82 80 86 83 89 85 93 88
8.0 67 67 70 69 73 71 75 73 78 75 81 77
8.5 59 59 62 61 64 63 67 65 70 67 72 69
9.0 53 53 55 54 57 56 60 58 62 60 65 61
9.5 47 47 50 49 52 50 54 52 56 54 58 55
10.0 43 43 45 44 47 46 49 47 51 48 52 50
Contec GP4/0.7 Block
t = 10 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 466 466 487 481 508 496 530 512 551 527 572 542
3.5 343 343 359 354 375 366 390 377 406 388 421 399
4.0 264 264 276 272 287 281 299 289 311 298 323 306
4.5 209 209 218 216 228 222 237 229 247 236 256 243
5.0 170 170 177 175 185 181 193 186 200 191 208 197
5.5 141 141 147 145 153 150 160 154 166 159 172 163
6.0 118 118 124 122 129 126 134 130 140 134 145 137
6.5 101 101 106 104 110 108 115 111 119 114 124 117
7.0 88 88 91 90 95 93 99 96 103 99 107 101
7.5 76 76 80 79 83 81 87 84 90 86 93 89
8.0 67 67 70 69 73 72 76 74 79 76 82 78
8.5 60 60 62 62 65 64 68 66 70 67 73 69
9.0 54 54 56 55 58 57 61 59 63 60 65 62
9.5 48 48 50 50 52 51 55 53 57 54 59 56
10.0 44 44 45 45 47 46 49 48 51 49 53 50

4-16
 Design Guidelines Handbook
Contec GP2/0.5 Block
t = 12 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 668 668 693 686 719 704 744 722 770 741 795 759
3.5 492 492 510 505 529 518 548 532 567 545 585 559
4.0 377 377 391 387 406 398 420 408 435 418 449 428
4.5 299 299 310 307 321 315 333 323 344 331 355 339
5.0 242 242 252 249 261 255 270 262 279 269 288 275
5.5 201 201 208 206 216 212 223 217 231 222 239 228
6.0 169 169 175 174 182 178 188 183 194 187 201 192
6.5 144 144 150 148 155 152 161 156 166 160 171 164
7.0 125 125 129 128 134 131 139 135 143 138 148 141
7.5 109 109 113 112 117 115 121 118 125 120 129 123
8.0 96 96 99 98 103 101 107 103 110 106 114 109
8.5 85 85 88 87 91 90 95 92 98 94 101 96
9.0 76 76 79 78 82 80 84 82 87 84 90 86
9.5 68 68 71 70 73 72 76 74 79 76 81 77
10.0 62 62 64 63 66 65 69 67 71 68 73 70
Contec GP4/0.7 Block
t = 12 in (nominal), ‘e’ is eccentricity for axial load only.
Wall height Axial Load (kips/ft)
h' (ft) 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25
e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6 e = t/10 e = t/6
3.0 671 671 696 689 722 707 748 726 773 744 799 762
3.5 494 494 513 508 532 521 551 535 569 548 588 561
4.0 380 380 394 390 408 400 423 410 437 421 451 431
4.5 301 301 312 309 323 317 335 325 346 333 357 341
5.0 244 244 253 251 263 257 272 264 281 271 290 277
5.5 202 202 210 208 218 213 225 219 233 224 240 230
6.0 171 171 177 175 183 180 190 184 196 189 202 193
6.5 146 146 151 150 157 153 162 157 167 161 173 165
7.0 126 126 131 129 135 133 140 136 145 139 149 143
7.5 110 110 114 113 118 116 122 119 126 122 130 125
8.0 97 97 101 100 104 102 108 105 111 107 115 110
8.5 86 86 89 88 93 91 96 93 99 95 102 98
9.0 77 77 80 79 83 81 86 83 88 85 91 87
9.5 69 69 72 71 74 73 77 75 80 77 82 78
10.0 63 63 65 64 67 66 70 68 72 69 74 71

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