New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 14 - HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 7 - BUILDING CODES GENERAL
Part 4 - 2021 NEW MEXICO EARTHEN BUILDING MATERIALS CODE
Section 14.7.4.17 - BOND BEAMS
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. General. The bond beam shall be secured to the rammed earth wall. Refer to Subsections H and I of 14.7.4.16 NMAC above. Bond beams may be of wood or concrete construction. Bond beams shall measure six inches nominal depth and extend the full width of the wall. Exception: The bond beam width may be reduced as follows: Two inches maximum in an 18 to less than 24 inch thick rammed earth wall, or three inches maximum in a rammed earth wall 24 inches or greater in thickness. Bond beams must be continuous, running the full perimeter of the structure. Interior rammed earth or adobe walls shall be incorporated into the bond beam. Varying height bond beams shall extend into the adjoining rammed earth wall one-half the thickness of the adjoining rammed earth wall. The concrete bond beam may secure anchoring and strapping devices.
B. Wood bond beam construction. In addition to the general requirements of Subsection A of 14.7.4.17 NMAC, wood bond beams may be constructed as approved by the building official. Light wood bond beam construction may be utilized as shown in Figure 10 of the earthen building figures supplement.
C. Concrete bond beam construction. In addition to the general requirements of Subsection A of 14.7.4.17 NMAC, concrete bond beams shall be constructed of minimum 2500 psi concrete and shall contain steel reinforcement as follows: For 18 to less than 24 inch thick rammed earth wall construction, a minimum of two continuous number four reinforcing rods shall be used. For walls equal to or greater than 24 inches in thickness, a minimum of two continuous number five reinforcing rods shall be used. Provide two inch minimum reinforcement concrete cover over all horizontal reinforcing rods. Concrete bond beams may be used to secure anchoring and strapping devices.
D. Concrete bond beam cold joints. Concrete bond beam cold joints are limited to corners of perpendicular intersections with other structural, full-height walls. Cold joints shall be tied into the adjoining bond beam with three number four reinforcing rods. The reinforcement shall extend a minimum of 24 inches into both portions of the concrete bond beam.
