New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 14 - HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 7 - BUILDING CODES GENERAL
Part 4 - 2021 NEW MEXICO EARTHEN BUILDING MATERIALS CODE
Section 14.7.4.25 - BOND BEAMS

A. General. All bearing walls shall be topped with a continuous bond beam (except patio walls less than six feet high above stem). All bond beam construction shall be in accordance with accepted engineering practices.

B. Concrete bond beam. Concrete bond beams shall be a minimum of six inches high by 10 inches wide for walls up to 14 inches thick. Where CEB walls are wider than one course, two-thirds of each visible course top shall be covered by the concrete bond beam. All concrete bond beams shall be reinforced with a minimum of two no. 4 reinforcing rods at each floor and ceiling plate line.

C. Wood bond beam. Wood bond beams shall be a minimum of six inches deep by 10 inches wide for walls up to 14 inches thick. Where CEB walls are wider than one course, two-thirds of each visible course top shall be covered by a wood bond beam and the roof load shall be distributed over both bond beams. Wood bond beams may be solid in the six inch dimension, or may be built up by applying layers of lumber. Ends of wood bond beams are to be lapped in minimum of the width of the wall and fully nailed. Galvanized metal straps or perforated metal straps, 18 gauge minimum and two inches long, may be used to join the ends of wood bond beam members. Full nailing of straps is required. No wood layer shall be less than one inch nominal thickness. The building official shall approve all wooden bond beams for walls wider than 14 inches.