Investigation of the influence of bed joint steel reinforcement on the load‐bearing capacity and deformability of walls made of AAC (subjected to vertical compression). Part 1 zone around the window opening

Reinforcement in masonry structures is usually used to control cracks and increase the load‐bearing capacity of walls. This paper presents results from testing full‐scale walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). A new type of reinforcement—steel mesh reinforcement protected against corrosion, was used in these tests. The effect of reinforcement on the zone around a window opening is presented in the first part of this paper. The presented tests are a continuation of previous similar analyses published in the papers. The effect of reinforcement on load‐carrying capacity and crack resistance of walls was found in the described tests. The obtained results were compared with results published in the papers.