National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 1996‑2:2024. It supersedes BS EN 1996‑2:2006, which will be withdrawn on 30 March 2028.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee B/525/6, Use of masonry.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

National choice is allowed in this standard where explicitly stated within notes. The National Annex to this standard contains the national choices to be used for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK.

The first generation of EN Eurocodes was published between 2002 and 2007, with conflicting British Standards withdrawn in 2010. This document forms part of the second generation of EN Eurocodes.

The second generation of EN Eurocodes is expected to be published between 2023 and 2026. These documents are being published as soon as they are available. This is being done to enable users to prepare for the transition from the first generation to second generation of EN Eurocodes.

UK adoptions of the first generation of EN Eurocodes will be withdrawn by BSI on 30 March 2028. Until that date, the first generation documents should be considered as the applicable standards for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK unless otherwise specified by the relevant authority or in the specification for a particular project.

This standard is intended to be used with its National Annex and other referenced documents, including other second generation Eurocodes, as an interdependent suite of documents.

While the use of provisions in this standard in conjunction with first generation Eurocodes is not precluded, it should be undertaken with care and should only be done when users are satisfied that it will not result in a lower level of reliability than the minimum level set in the first generation Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 October 2024.

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 July 2024.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom.

European foreword

This document (EN 1996‑2:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250 “Structural Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI. CEN/TC 250 is responsible for all Structural Eurocodes and has been assigned responsibility for structural and geotechnical design matters by CEN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2027, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2028.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 1996‑2:2006+AC:2009.

The first generation of EN Eurocodes was published between 2002 and 2007. This document forms part of the second generation of the Eurocodes, which have been prepared under a Mandate M/515 given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association.

The Eurocodes have been drafted to be used in conjunction with relevant execution, material, product and test standards, and to identify requirements for execution, materials, products and testing that are relied upon by the Eurocodes.

The main changes compared to the previous edition are listed below:

permissible deviations of the constructed masonry from its intended position have been made consistent with EN 1996‑1‑1;
relative exposure of masonry to wetting has been clarified;
specification of masonry units and mortar for durable masonry in various exposure condition has been updated;
detailing of the spacing of movement joints has been revised;
tolerance specifications for masonry to be used with thin layer mortar have been developed;
pointing of masonry has been substantially reviewed;
updated information on durability for ancillary components.

The Eurocodes recognize the responsibility of each Member State and have safeguarded their right to determine values related to regulatory safety matters at national level through the use of National Annexes.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

0 Introduction

0.1 Introduction to the Eurocodes

The Structural Eurocodes comprise the following standards generally consisting of a number of Parts:

EN 1990 Eurocode — Basis of structural and geotechnical design
EN 1991 Eurocode 1 — Actions on structures
EN 1992 Eurocode 2 — Design of concrete structures
EN 1993 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures
EN 1994 Eurocode 4 — Design of composite steel and concrete structures
EN 1995 Eurocode 5 — Design of timber structures
EN 1996 Eurocode 6 — Design of masonry structures
EN 1997 Eurocode 7 — Geotechnical design
EN 1998 Eurocode 8 — Design of structures for earthquake resistance
EN 1999 Eurocode 9 — Design of aluminium structures
New parts are under development, e.g. Eurocode for design of structural glass

The Eurocodes are intended for use by designers, clients, manufacturers, constructors, relevant authorities (in exercising their duties in accordance with national or international regulations), educators, software developers, and committees drafting standards for related product, testing and execution standards.

NOTE Some aspects of design are most appropriately specified by relevant authorities or, where not specified, can be agreed on a project-specific basis between relevant parties such as designers and clients. The Eurocodes identify such aspects making explicit reference to relevant authorities and relevant parties.

0.2 Introduction to EN 1996 (all parts)

EN 1996 (all parts) apply to the design of building and civil engineering works, or parts thereof, in unreinforced, reinforced, prestressed and confined masonry.

EN 1996 (all parts) deal only with the requirements for resistance, serviceability and durability of structures. Other requirements, for example, concerning thermal or sound insulation, are not considered.

EN 1996 (all parts) do not cover the specific requirements of seismic design. Provisions related to such requirements are given in EN 1998, which complements, and is consistent with EN 1996.

EN 1996 (all parts) do not cover numerical values of the actions on building and civil engineering works to be taken into account in the design. They are provided in EN 1991 (all parts).

0.3 Introduction to EN 1996‑2

This document describes the rules for design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry structures.

0.4 Verbal forms used in the Eurocodes

The verb “shall” expresses a requirement strictly to be followed and from which no deviation is permitted in order to comply with the Eurocodes.

The verb “should” expresses a highly recommended choice or course of action. Subject to national regulation and/or any relevant contractual provisions, alternative approaches could be used/adopted where technically justified.

The verb “may” expresses a course of action permissible within the limits of the Eurocodes.

The verb “can” expresses possibility and capability; it is used for statements of fact and clarification of concepts.

0.5 National annex for EN 1996‑2

National choice is allowed in this standard where explicitly stated within notes. National choice includes the selection of values for Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs).

The national standard implementing this document can have a National Annex containing all national choices to be used for the design of buildings and civil engineering works to be constructed in the relevant country.

When no national choice is given, the default choice given in this standard is to be used.

When no national choice is made and no default is given in this standard, the choice can be specified by a relevant authority or, where not specified, agreed for a specific project by appropriate parties.

National choice is allowed in EN 1996‑2 through a note to the following clause:

National choice is allowed in EN 1996‑2 on the application of the following informative annexes

The National Annex can contain, directly or by reference, non-contradictory complementary information for ease of implementation, provided it does not alter any provisions of the Eurocodes.

1 Scope

1.1 Scope of EN 1996‑2

(1) This document gives basic rules for the selection of materials and execution of masonry to enable it to comply with the design assumptions of the other parts of Eurocode 6.

(2) This document deals with ordinary aspects of masonry design and execution including:

selection of masonry materials;
factors affecting the performance and durability of masonry;
masonry detailing, joint finishes, movement joints, resistance to moisture penetration;
storage, preparation and use of materials on site;
execution of masonry;
masonry protection during execution.

(3) This document does not cover the following items:

aesthetic aspects;
applied finishes.

1.2 Assumptions

(1) The assumptions of EN 1990 apply to this document.

(2) This document is intended to be used together with EN 1990, EN 1991, EN 1996‑1‑1, EN 1996‑1‑2 and EN 1996‑3.

(3) The design of masonry is carried out in accordance with EN 1996‑1‑1.

2 Normative references

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

3.1 Terms and definitions

3.2 Symbols

4 Design considerations

4.1 Factors affecting the durability of masonry

4.2 Selection of materials

4.3 Masonry

5 Execution

5.1 General

5.2 Acceptance, handling and storage of materials

5.3 Preparation of materials

5.4 Permissible deviations

5.5 Execution of masonry

5.6 Curing and protective procedures during execution

Bibliography

BS EN 1996-2:2024

Eurocode 6. Design of masonry structures - Design considerations, selection of materials and execution

Current

Published:

31 Oct 2024