According to Hawaii Building Code, what is the maximum spacing for ties in reinforced masonry construction in seismic zones?
Correct Answer
D) 16 inches on center
Hawaii's seismic requirements mandate 16-inch maximum spacing for ties in reinforced masonry to ensure adequate confinement and ductility during earthquake loading.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The correct answer is 16 inches on center. Hawaii's seismic requirements mandate a maximum 16-inch tie spacing in reinforced masonry to provide adequate confinement of the vertical reinforcement and ensure ductile behavior during earthquake loading. Closer tie spacing prevents buckling of the vertical bars and maintains the integrity of the masonry cell during lateral seismic forces.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 48 inches on center
48 inches on center is far too wide a spacing for seismic zones. At 48 inches, the ties provide virtually no meaningful confinement of the reinforcement, allowing vertical bars to buckle under compressive loads generated during seismic events. This spacing might be seen in non-seismic, non-hurricane applications.
Option B: 32 inches on center
32 inches on center provides more confinement than 48 inches but still exceeds the Hawaii seismic requirement. In high-seismic regions like Hawaii, the code requires tighter spacing to ensure the masonry system can absorb and dissipate seismic energy without premature failure.
Option C: 24 inches on center
24 inches on center is closer to the correct answer and may reflect requirements in lower seismic zones or standard masonry construction. However, Hawaii's combined seismic and hurricane loading demands the tighter 16-inch requirement for reinforced masonry in seismic zones.
Memory Technique
16 inches = one standard concrete block height (masonry courses run approximately 8 inches; 16 inches = every other course). Think of placing a tie at every other masonry course — that is the visual anchor for 16-inch seismic tie spacing in Hawaii.
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