Currently, most residential constructions use the traditional system of reinforced concrete columns and beams, while masonry acts only as a partition. However, the Brazilian market is increasingly adopting structural masonry, a system in which the walls fully assume the structural function of the building.
Therefore, when planning to build or renovate, understanding this difference becomes essential. After all, the choice between structural masonry and conventional construction directly impacts the cost of the project, the execution time, the durability of the building, and, in addition, the flexibility for future renovations.
In this article, you will understand what structural masonry is, how it works in practice, its advantages and disadvantages, when it is worthwhile to use it, and real-world examples of its application in Santa Catarina.
What is Structural Masonry?
Structural masonry is a construction system in which the walls, built with structural blocks, function as load-bearing elements. Thus, they support all the loads of the building, such as its own weight, furniture, people, and live loads, transmitting these forces directly to the foundations.
Unlike conventional construction, where pillars and beams concentrate structural forces, in structural masonry the walls themselves perform this function. The blocks are laid with specific mortar and, subsequently, grout and reinforcement are added, forming a monolithic, resistant, and stable structure.
Main Features
Structural masonry has well-defined technical characteristics. Firstly, it uses structural concrete blocks, never common bricks. Furthermore, the walls follow standardized thicknesses, generally 14 cm or 19 cm. The mortar has a controlled mix, which guarantees adequate strength and adhesion.
Another important point is the absence of conventional columns and beams. As a result, the concrete slabs rest directly on the structural walls, which simplifies the system and reduces construction steps.
How it Works in Practice
To illustrate, imagine a building with 10 floors. In a conventional system, a few columns concentrate practically all the weight of the building. In contrast, in structural masonry, all the walls of the floors work together, distributing the loads uniformly.
As a result, this distribution reduces stress concentrations, improves overall stability, and enhances structural performance.
Structural Masonry vs. Conventional Construction
For a correct technical decision, a direct comparison between the two systems becomes indispensable.
Construction Speed
In structural masonry, the construction does not require complex slab shoring. Furthermore, workers lay the blocks quickly and use less heavy equipment. Therefore, the construction of a floor typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
On the other hand, in conventional construction, the execution of columns, beams, and slabs requires greater precision, prolonged reshoring, and more robust equipment. Thus, each floor typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Conclusion: Structural masonry speeds up construction by approximately 30 to 40 percent.
Total Cost
In structural masonry, despite the need for skilled labor, the construction process simplifies steps, reduces waste, and decreases the use of equipment. Therefore, the cost per square meter generally varies between R$ 1,200 and R$ 1,500.
In contrast, conventional construction involves more complex engineering, higher material consumption, and a greater volume of waste. Thus, the cost per square meter typically ranges between R$ 1,400 and R$ 1,800.
Conclusion: Structural masonry reduces the total cost by between 10 and 20 percent.
Project Flexibility
In structural masonry, the walls serve a structural function and therefore cannot be removed. As a result, layouts become more rigid and future renovations require greater technical caution.
In conventional construction, the interior walls function only as enclosures. This allows users to more easily alter layouts throughout the building's lifespan.
Conclusion: conventional construction offers greater flexibility.
Energy Efficiency
Due to the high thermal mass of concrete blocks, structural masonry reduces internal temperature variation and improves sound insulation. As a result, users observe a reduction in air conditioning consumption, often between 15 and 20 percent.
In turn, conventional construction, with lighter sealing blocks, offers inferior thermal and acoustic performance.
Conclusion: structural masonry offers greater energy efficiency.
Durability
In structural masonry, reducing the use of steel decreases the risk of corrosion. Furthermore, concrete blocks offer high durability, often exceeding 50 years, with low maintenance requirements.
In conventional construction, columns and beams are more susceptible to corrosion of the reinforcement and deformation over time, which increases the demand for maintenance.
In conclusion, structural masonry offers greater durability.
Advantages of Structural Masonry
Beyond direct comparisons, the system presents specific and relevant advantages.
Constructive Simplicity
The construction process follows a direct and repetitive logic, which reduces errors and speeds up execution. As a result, costs for skilled labor can fall by between 25 and 30 percent.
Absence of Internal Pillars
Since the walls take on a structural function, the design eliminates internal pillars. In this way, each unit gains between 3 and 5 percent of usable area.
Improved Acoustic Performance
Structural blocks offer superior sound insulation, often between 50 and 60 dB. This makes the spaces quieter and more comfortable.
Quality control
Standardizing the system reduces construction variations. Consequently, the project involves less rework and lower costs for corrections.
Structural Stability
Distributing the loads across multiple walls increases the overall stability of the building, including against strong winds and horizontal forces.
Disadvantages of Structural Masonry
Despite its benefits, the system has significant technical limitations.
Structural masonry limits the height of buildings, typically between 8 and 12 stories, as the loads on the lower walls increase significantly. Furthermore, the inability to remove walls reduces flexibility for renovations.
Another critical point involves the need for extremely precise design from the outset. Any subsequent alteration directly impacts cost and safety. Finally, execution requires experienced labor, and any structural deformations appear slowly.
How is Structural Masonry Made?
The construction process follows well-defined steps.
Initially, the team constructs the foundations, specifically designed to support the loads of the walls. Then, the workers erect the walls with meticulous control of plumb, level, and alignment, inserting horizontal reinforcement periodically.
After this stage, the structure undergoes grouting, which fills the voids in the blocks with fluid concrete and ensures the monolithic behavior of the structure. Subsequently, the team constructs the slabs and repeats the process on the upper floors.
In 10-story buildings, the total timeframe typically ranges between 3 and 4 months, while in the conventional system this timeframe usually exceeds 4 or 5 months.
Applicable Technical Standards
Structural masonry follows strict technical standards. NBR 10837 defines the structural calculation criteria. NBR 6136 establishes the requirements for structural blocks. NBR 8798 regulates the execution and quality control criteria.
These standards ensure the system's safety, performance, and durability.
Success Stories in Santa Catarina
Several projects in Santa Catarina demonstrate the system's efficiency, including residential buildings in Blumenau, commercial developments in Joinville, and residential condominiums in Navegantes. In all cases, the projects showed reduced timelines, cost savings, and excellent structural and acoustic performance.
When to Choose Structural Masonry
Structural masonry is perfectly suited for residential buildings with 4 to 10 floors, medium-sized commercial developments, condominiums with duplicate units, and constructions focused on sustainability.
On the other hand, the system is not suitable for very tall buildings, projects with large spans, or situations that require high layout flexibility.
Comparative Cost
| Item | Structural Masonry | Conventional | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | R$ 180.000 | R$ 200,000 | R$ 20.000 |
| Structure | R$ 450,000 | R$ 620.000 | R$ 170.000 |
| Masonry | R$ 300,000 | R$ 280.000 | Increase of R$ 20,000 |
| Slabs | R$ 320.000 | R$ 350,000 | R$ 30.000 |
| Finish | R$ 800.000 | R$ 800.000 | Equal |
| Total | R$ 2,050,000 | R$ 2,250,000 | Economy of R$ 200,000 |
Conclusion
Structural masonry represents a consolidated, safe, and efficient construction system for medium-sized buildings. It delivers significant gains in terms of time, cost, thermal and acoustic performance, and durability. Although it requires precise design and offers less flexibility, its advantages far outweigh its limitations in most projects in Santa Catarina.
For those seeking technical and economic efficiency, structural masonry should always be considered in the analysis from the project's conception stage.
