Evolution of EC 6—Influence on masonry constructions made from AAC

Within the scope of developing a new generation of Eurocodes also the European masonry standards are subjected to an evolution. Thereby new drafts for all four parts of EN 1996 have been elaborated and the final versions are available. Aim of the evolution was to implement the application experiences of the actual version, improving the ease of use and reducing the number of National determined parameters. The most severe changes of the new versions of the standards are the modifications of the calculation methods in EN 1996 parts 1‐1 and 3. Especially for masonry walls with a compressive strength and for constructions with partly supported ceilings the new simplified calculation methods showed a significant difference in the maximum capacities. Basing on this finding the conditions and rules for the design of AAC masonry according to EN 1996‐3 were adapted and thus improved for the final draft. This was a result of a big number of comparing calculations which took into account the special properties and behaviour of AAC masonry especially the ratio between compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. Regarding fire resistance of masonry walls several new test results have been implemented in EN 1996‐1‐2 for revising the tabulated values. The new tables also provide clearer allocations in terms of minimum thicknesses of walls for fulfilling the conditions regarding the different periods of fire resistance.