ABSTRACT
Detailing at masonry junctions with other parts of the construction are becoming increasing more demanding and challenging as codes, standards and regulations demand higher levels of performance. Many of the requirements for specific performance requirements can often conflict with each other. For example, to achieve low energy designs there is a tendency to opt for lower density materials. The first real set of details in modern times were driven by the change to acoustic regulations in 2003 with the introduction of post construction testing of walls between attached houses to prove their compliance with the target acoustic level. With the ever increasing demands on buildings to be designed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in the operation of the building, national regulations are constantly being revised to limit heat through the fabric of the building. Whilst some regulations impose whole building targets, frequently maximum U-values for elements of the construction are applied as way to limit the heat losses.
