Chases , Recesses And Holes In

Masonry Structure

Sanket Chaudhary (131010011018)

Civil Engineering

Semester - 6

Chases And Recesses

For all types of masonry wall construction, no matter the brick or block material, the
cutting of chases in order to accommodate electrical cables, piping and other installations
is a common practice.

A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest is called
recesses.

Chases, recesses and holes are permissible in masonry only if these do not impair strength
and stability of the structure.

Generally the cutting of chases is vertical or horizontal, but in many cases these are opened
indiscriminately and arbitrarily, and unfortunately in some cases have the depth of total
wall thickness, destroying completely the wall, compromising strength and leading to
cracking

 Type of chases

Horizontal

Vertical

Inclined

Normative constrains for cutting chases and recesses

in masonry walls

The maximum depth adopted should include the depth of any hole executed when cutting
the recess or chase

If the thickness of the wall is at least 22.5cm and for the vertical chases which do not
extend more than one third of the storey height above floor level, the vertical chases may
have a depth up to 8cm and a width up to 12cm

The minimum value of 22.5cm should be considered for the horizontal distance between
adjacent chases or between a chase and a recess or an opening

The sum of widths of all vertical chasses and recesses should not exceed 0.13 times the
length of the wall.

The horizontal and inclined chases should be placed within one eighth of the clear height
of the wall, above or below a floor and the chase region is less than t/3.

The horizontal distance between adjacent chases with limited length, on the same side or
on opposite sides of the wall, should be not less than twice the length of the longest chase

Depth of vertical and horizontal chases shall not exceed one-third and one-sixth of the wall
thickness respectively.

As far as possible, services should be planned with the help of vertical chases and use of
horizontal chases should be avoided

Chases, recesses shall not be cut into walls made of hollow or perforated units

Holes

Holes for supporting put-logs of scaffolding shall be kept away from bearings of beams,
lintels and other concentrated loads

No hole shall be provided in half-brick load bearing wall, excepting the minimum number
of holes needed for scaffolding.

As far as possible, chases, recesses and holes in masonry should be left at the time of
construction of masonry so as to obviate subsequent cutting. If cutting is unavoidable, it
should be done without damage to the surrounding or residual masonry. It is desirable to
use such tools for cutting which depend upon rotary and not on heavy impact for cutting
action.

 Weep holes

Weep hole is a small opening that allows water to drain from within an assembly

Weeps are located at the bottom of the object to allow for drainage

The weep hole must be sized adequately to overcome surface tension

Weeps may also be necessary in a retaining wall, so water can escape from the retained
earth

In such cases the weeps consist of small-diameter plastic, clay or metal pipes extending
through the wall to a layer of porous backfill

References:

IS1905(law.resources.org)

Slideshare.net

IMS(International Masonry Society)

Thank You