Building Enclosure Institute

Building Enclosure Institute Non profit foundation dealing with science and education about building enclosures: building skins s Building Enclosure Institute

05/24/2026

Here is an interesting video showing badly cracked masonry walls. The narrator explains the concrete floor slabs’ spans reach up to 8 meters (over 26 ft), and their maximum deflection was found 3 cm (approx. 1-1/8”). The author did not clarify whether the slab was fully loaded before the measurements, and the measurement meets the typical maximum L/250 deflection limit. (Similar to L/240 limit common in USA). It’s a good illustration of a mismatch between the chosen construction methods, and the reason why good tile setters often insist on placing a reinforcement mesh on a masonry substrate.

05/24/2026

This video shows a rare correct construction of a an aerated concrete masonry wall popular in residential developments in Eastern Europe. A reinforced pier was designed within the wall’s depth, with continuous reinforcement dowels cast in a concrete base. The masonry is protected against wicking moisture by a layer of bituminous membrane. However, the base of the structural pier needs a moisture protection layer that offers greater compression strength. A hydraulic cementitious grout is used on a clean substrate.
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Florida, Hallandale. Very efficient portable tent structure.
05/19/2026

Florida, Hallandale. Very efficient portable tent structure.

Florida. Miami. Morning condensation is a potent source of moisture.
05/19/2026

Florida. Miami. Morning condensation is a potent source of moisture.

05/18/2026

Here is an interesting connector that makes no sense. It does not accomplish the primary goal: load resistance. The center hole runs through the rafters' mating joint, while the metal plates are only held together by the center hole, with little "meat" around them to resist uplift forces. The metal plate would need to be longer to properly tie both rafters' ends.

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