Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2 Words: David BiggsPhotos: Masonry SocietyThis issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.Q. A Mason Contractor states they were told by the inspector to lap splice horizontal joint reinforcement 8 inches, even though the contract drawings had a note that gave the laps as 6 inches. They have always used 6 inches, so why the change?A. This is a particularly good question! After some follow-up questions, we determined that the project was permitted under a new building code that took effect in January 2026. That new code references TMS 402-22, Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, and TMS 602-22, Specifications for Masonry Structures. TMS 402 is for designers. Based on recent research, TMS changed the minimum development length requirement for horizontal joint reinforcement from 6 inches to 8 inches in Section 6.1.6.2.2.1. For masonry design, the development length is also the lap splice length. This means the contract drawings were issued with an outdated note. The note should have given the lap as 8 inches. But the contractor is not expected to follow TMS 402. Instead, contractors are expected to adhere to TMS 602. These specifications are included in all projects by reference, and mason contractors should be familiar with them.TMS 602-22, Article 3.4 B.11b. (page S-70) states to “Provide minimum 8-in. laps for joint reinforcement and veneer wire reinforcement.” This gives the inspector the authority to require you to use 8-inch laps. Figure SC-13 further supports the lap requirements. It also shows that the laps must not be stacked on top of each other and must be embedded in mortar or grout.Summary:Designers must adhere to TMS 402. Mason contractors must adhere to TMS 602 for each project in addition to the project specifications prepared by the designers.The horizontal joint reinforcement lap splices were changed from a minimum of 6 inches to 8 inches in TMS 402/602-22.Mason contractors should expect inspectors to check for adherence to TMS 602.Q. An Engineer asks whether a wall reinforcement scheme using ¼ inch x 6 inch wide stainless steel plates in the bed joints of a two-wythe brick wall can be designed to span the wall horizontally. The wall is a free-standing site wall and has reinforced pilasters at intervals for lateral support. The wall is approximately 100 feet long, and the plates are proposed to be welded to provide continuity. A cross-section is provided.Site Wall SectionA. This is an interesting concept. The question here is the use of steel plates as reinforcement, and not specifically that the project is a site wall.Technically, the steel plate reinforcement does not meet the definition of reinforcement in the building code and TMS 402/602. TMS 602-22, Article 2.4, specifically lists steel reinforcing bars, steel prestressing tendons, GFRP reinforcing bars, and (steel) joint reinforcement and wire reinforcement. Steel plates are not included. So, TMS 402 design procedures were not developed with steel plate reinforcement in mind.Does this mean that steel plates cannot be considered as reinforcement for masonry? That answer is NO. The reason is that both TMS 402 and the IBC allow the use of alternative designs and methods of construction under certain conditions. TMS 402, Section 1.3 (courtesy of The Masonry Society) states:Further information is provided in the Commentary shown next. Similar language is provided in Section 104 - Materials, Equipment and Methods of Construction of the building code.The important point is that any alternate system must be approved by the authority having jurisdiction, which is the building official. The data to substantiate adequate performance of the system might include research or other information requested by the official. So, we have established that the steel plates can be proposed, but acceptance is at the discretion of the building official. While there are numerous design details to consider in substantiating the use of steel plates as reinforcement, here are a few additional issues:a. Stainless steel plates generally need special preparation to bond with mortar. (As opposed to stainless steel veneer ties that are embedded in the mortar.)b. The ¼ -inch thick plates leave no room for mortar to bond with the plates in the 3/8 inch joints.c. The 6-inch wide plates provide insufficient room for mortar in the 8-inch thick walls. Joint cracking can be expected.d. Welding plates continuously for 100 feet will introduce restraint to the brick masonry and interfere with the masonry movement joints. Summary:Horizontal steel plates used as masonry wall reinforcement are not code-approved. They would be considered an alternative method. Alternative methods not given in the building code are possible with the approval of the authority having jurisdiction (building official).Steel plates used in bed joints of masonry walls present many design concerns to consider. Horizontal joint reinforcement and horizontal masonry beams would provide a more conventional approach.Thank you again for following this column. Remember, by bonding, we get stronger! Keep the questions coming. Send them and your comments to info@masonrymagazine.com, with attention to Technical Talk. If you have missed any of the previous articles, you can find them online for Technical Talk, Bonding with Masonry at Masonry Design magazine.___David is a PE, SE with Biggs Consulting Engineering, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA (www.biggsconsulting.net), and an Honorary Associate Professor with the University of Auckland, NZ. He specializes in masonry design, historic preservation, forensic evaluations, and masonry product development. About: Bonding with Masonry
