MY WORK: Masonry Research

(also Professional member of the Masonry Society (USA), Founder member of the British Masonry Society, Member of the Institute of Materials)

Brief technical CV (edited highlights!): Since August 2000 I have semi-retired and taken on the role of an Associate (consultant). My main career has been at the Building Research Establishment (BRE)) concerned mainly with structural performance, durability and safety of brick and block masonry structures and buildings, particularly housing. I have carried out research on performance of masonry in compression, flexure, shear, environmental exposure, fire and effect of workmanship. I have maintained a continued interest and involvement in the development of British and European Regulations, Codes of Practice and Performance Standards for masonry materials. I have a special interest and expertise in the performance, problems and maintenance of cavity walls and associated ancillary components such as ties, hangers, fixings etc. I have an interest in non-destructive and in-situ test methods for application in buildings, particularly for the assessment of concrete frame and masonry structures. I am author or co-author of more than 100 externally refereed papers and I have contributed to several books.

Since the BRE was privatised in 1997 there has been a lot of reorganisation and the area I work in is now termed the Centre for Whole Life Construction and Conservation (CWLCC) covering Whole Life cost/performance, Heritage, Archaeology, Stone and Masonry.

Technical activities in the last seven years: Standards, Codes of Practice and Building Regulations for the United Kingdom, and Europe. Areas covered were specification and testing of masonry units, ancillary materials, masonry composite materials. Supervised programmes of work on lateral performance of masonry, creep effects in compression, test methodologies, reinstatement / maintenance technologies. wind loading of masonry, durability. We co-operate with the industry to develop new materials, systems and design methodologies. We carry out a lot of specialist consultancy, troubleshooting and in-situ diagnostic testing of masonry including mortar strength, unit/mortar bond, in-situ stress and elasticity, dampness investigations and durability problem solving.

Flavour of Recent publications (in Public Domain)

• BRE Digest 401, Replacing wall ties, Jan. 1995.
• R.C.de Vekey, Thin stainless steel flat-jacks: calibration and trials for measurement of in-situ stress and elasticity of masonry, Proc 7th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Hamilton, V2, pp1174-1183, 1995
• R.C.de Vekey and K.Tarr, The effect of relaxation on the performance of mechanically fixed remedial wall ties, Proc. Brit.Mas.Soc (7) (Proc.4th IMC) V1, pp33-39, 1995
• R.C.de Vekey, A statistical analysis of masonry compression test data, Proc 7th Canadian Masonry Symposium, Hamilton, V2, pp1140-1151, 1995
• J. S. Skandamoorthy and R. C. de Vekey, The Flexural and Compressive Performance of Natural Stone Blockwork, Proc. Brit.Mas.Soc (7) (Proc.4th IMC) V2, 1996.
• Binda, L., and de Vekey, R.C., Rilem TC127-MS, Masonry Materials and Structures, Masonry International, V9, 2, pp37-41, 1995.
• BRE Digest 409 - 1995 Masonry and concrete structures: Measuring in-situ strength and elasticity using flat jacks
• R.C.de Vekey, Measurement of horizontal compressive stress in masonry using flat jacks, Presented at the International Conference: Design and assessment of building structures, Prague, Acta Polytechnica V.36, No.2, pp117-125,1996
• R.C.de Vekey, G.J.Edgell, I.M.May, Lateral load behaviour of walls with openings, Proc. 7th N.Amer. Masonry Conf., South Bend, Indiana, V2, pp677-688, 1996

  1997

• R.C.de Vekey, Testing Masonry Materials and Structures: A review of the work of the RILEM committee 127MS Materials and Structures, Supplement March 1997, pp 12 - 16.
• Good Building Guide 27, The construction of earth retaining walls (Technical author Alan Ferguson)
• RILEM recommendations MS-B.4 Determination of shear strength index for masonry unit/mortar junction, MS-D.1, Measurement of mechanical pulse velocity for masonry, MS-D.5, Measurement of ultrasonic pulse velocity for masonry units and wallettes, MS-D.6, In-situ measurement of masonry bed-joint shear strength, Materials and Structures, V29, pp 459-475 (editor).
• Digest 421 - 1997, The screw (helix) pull out method
• Good Building Guide 29, 1997: CONNECTING WALLS AND FLOORS, part 1: a practical guide; part 2: design and performance.
• R.C.de Vekey (editor), Rilem recommendations of tests for masonry materials; MS-D.7 Determination of pointing hardness by pendulum hammer; MS-D.9 Determination of mortar strength by the screw (helix) pull-out method; MS-D.10: Measurement of moisture content by drilling, Materials and Structures, V30, pp 323-328, 1997.
• de Vekey,R.C., Russell, A.D, Skandamoorthy, J., Ferguson, A., Bond and water resistance of masonry walls, Building Research Establishment, Proc. 11th IBMAC, Shanghai, V.2, p836 - 844, 1997
• R.C.de Vekey (editor), Rilem recommendations of durability tests for masonry materials, MS.A.1. Resistance of wallettes against sulphates and chlorides; MS.A.2 Uni-directional salt crystallization test for masonry units; MS.A.4 Determination of the durability of mortar; MS.B.1 Freeze thaw test of masonry panels, Materials and Structures, V31, pp 3-19, 1998.
• de Vekey,R.C. and Mauro Sassu, Comparison of non-destructive in-situ mechanical tests on masonry mortars: The PNT-G method and the Helix method, Proc. 11th IBMAC, Shanghai, V.1, p376 - 384, 1997.
• Skandamoorthy, J. and de Vekey,R.C., An assessment of the performance of steel stud remedial fixings compared with standard metal wall-floor straps., Read at the BMS autumn meeting, Stoke on Trent, November, 1997.

  1998

• R.C.de Vekey (ed), Rilem recommendations of durability tests for masonry materials, MS.A.1. Resistance of wallettes against sulphates and chlorides; MS.A.2 Uni-directional salt crystallization test for masonry units; MS.A.4 Determination of the durability of mortar; MS.B.1 Freeze thaw test of masonry panels. Materials and Structures, V31, pp 2 - 19, 1998 (PD93/97)
• R.C.de Vekey (ed), Rilem recommendations of Tests For Masonry Materials and structures: MS.A.6: Method For Triaxial Compression Tests On Mortar Specimens Taken From Bed Joints (p363-369); MS.B.2 Measurement Of The Shear Strength Index Of Bedjoints (p370-372); MS.B.3 Bond Strength Of Reinforcement In Bed Joints(p373-374); MS.D.2: Determination Of Masonry Rebound Hardness (p375-377), Materials and Structures, V31, 210, 1998, pp363-377
• R.C.de Vekey (ed), Rilem recommendations of durability tests for masonry: MS.A.3. Unidirectional Freeze-Thaw Test for Masonry Units and Wallettes; (pp513-519) MS.B.5 Determination Of The Damage To Wallettes Caused By Acid Rain Materials and Structures, (pp519-521) V31, 212, 1998, pp 513-521
• R.C.de Vekey (ed), Rilem recommendations of Non-destructive evaluation tests for masonry: .MSD.3 Radar investigation of masonry; MSD.4: Measurement of e', dynamic stiffness for masonry; MS.D.8 Conductivity investigation of masonry G.Hickson (AACPA), R.C.de Vekey (BRE) and A.D, Skandamoorthy (BRE), The structural performance of Untied cavity Party walls using AAC blockwork, Proc.5th International Mas.Conf. London 1998, (BMS Proc.8), pp62-68, 1998
• R.C.de Vekey, The fire performance of insulated cavity walls, Proc.5th International Mas.Conf. London 1998, (BMS Proc.8), pp229-234, 1998. BRICK Digest new draft, 1998,
• Liu Hui and R.C. de Vekey, Internal fracture test for brick strength, Proc.5th International Mas.Conf. London 1998, (BMS Proc.8), pp37-43, 1998. R.C.de Vekey and G.J.Edgell, The effect of weathering on the flexural strength of masonry (Updated to include 1995 measurements), Proc.5th International Mas.Conf. London 1998, (BMS Proc.8), pp251-256, 1998.
• R.C.de Vekey (BRE), Fine Sand, Mortar and Masonry Performance, Extended abstract for Seminar on the lateral loading of masonry: to be held at DETR, Eland House on 23/2/99.
• H.W.Harrison and R.C.de Vekey, Book: 'Walls Windows and Doors' in BRE Building Elements series, CRC, Watford, 1998

  1999

• R.C.de Vekey and G.Hickson *, The structural performance of Untied cavity Party walls using AAC blockwork, Building Research Establishment IP1/99 April 1999
• R.C.de Vekey (BRE), G.Hickson (AACPA) and A.D, Skandamoorthy (BRE), The interaction between Joist hangers and low density AAC blockwork , J.Brit. Mas. Soc, V13, No.1, pp22-26, 1999,
• R.C.de Vekey, Ties for Masonry walls - A decade of development,
• R.C.de Vekey, Clay bricks and clay brick masonry, BRE Digest 441, Part 1, November, 1999
• R.C.de Vekey, Clay bricks and clay brick masonry, BRE Digest 441, Part 2, November, 1999
• R.C.de Vekey, Aggregate concrete block and brick masonry, Draft BRE Digest, BRE report No. 78161.
• R.C.de Vekey, TF2000 Building: Masonry movement, Paper presented at CIB 23A meeting, Porto, 1999.
• R.C.de Vekey, Masonry investigations on the TF2000 building, Paper presented at the Autumn meeting of BMS, 30/11/99, Cardington.

  2000

• R.C.de Vekey, Ties for Masonry walls - A decade of development, IP11/00.
• R.C.de Vekey, An investigation of breakout damage of masonry by hammer-action drills,Proc. 12IBMAC, Madrid, V1, pp493 - 502, 2000.
• Dr. R C deVekey and D Chehal, A Fire Test For Wall Ties, Proc. 12IBMAC, Madrid, V1, pp503-512, 2000.
• R.C.de Vekey, Draft BRE Digest (Updated Digest 329) Installing wall ties in existing construction, BRE report/milestone No. 77223., Final version May 2000

  2001

• R.C.de Vekey ed, Rilem Recommendations of Non Destructive Tests For Masonry, MS.D.3: Radar Investigation of Masonry, pp131-134; MS.D.4: Measurement of Local Dynamic Behaviour for Masonry, pp135-137; MS-D.8: Electrical Conductivity Investigation of Masonry, pp138-143; Materials and Structures, 34, 237, pp131-143, April) 2001 (PD143/99).
• R.C.de Vekey, TF2000 Building: Masonry movement, Masonry International, V14, 3, pp80-84, 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, Alan Ferguson, and Geoff Edgell,Lateral Performance of very Wide cavity walls. Proc. 9th Canadian Mas. Symp., CDROM p22
• R.C.de Vekey, Andrew Sutherland and Alan Ferguson, A new total shrinkage test for mortar. Proc. 9th Canadian Mas. Symp., CDROM p49
• R.C.de Vekey, Bricks blocks and masonry made from aggregate concrete: Part 1 - performance requirements, BRE Digest 460, Part 1, 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, Bricks blocks and masonry made from aggregate concrete: Part 2 - Appearance and environmental aspects, BRE Digest 460, Part 2, 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, Corrosion of metal components in walls, BRE Digest 461, 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, Effective techniques for site control of masonry construction, RILEM TC 177MDT workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, Bremortest for site control of mortar composition, RILEM TC 177MDT workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001.
• R.C.de Vekey, In-situ evaluation of the physical and chemical state of masonry structures, RILEM TC 177MDT workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001.
• de Vekey,R.C., Construction Materials: Their Nature and Behaviour 3rd edition, ed. P.J.L Domone, Chapter 5 Brickwork and Blockwork, E&F.N.Spon, London 2001.

  2002

• R.C.de Vekey, Measurement of load eccentricity using flat jacks, Proc.Brit.Mas.Soc (9) (Proc.6th IMC) V1, pp79-85, 2002
• R.C.de Vekey, Best Practice Guide for Fire Engineering: Task 10 - Masonry: BRE client report 80988, May 2002
• R.C.de Vekey, Autoclaved aerated concrete 'aircrete' blocks and masonry: Part 1 - performance requirements, BRE Digest 468, Part 1, 2002.
• R.C.de Vekey, Autoclaved aerated concrete 'aircrete' blocks and masonry: Part 2 - Appearance and environmental aspects, BRE Digest 468, Part 2, 2002.

  2003

• R.C.de Vekey, Effective techniques for site control of masonry construction, Proc. RILEM workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001, V1, p3-12
• R.C.de Vekey, Bremortest for site control of mortar composition, Proc. RILEM workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001, V1, p59-66
• R.C.de Vekey, Minor destructive tests for the evaluation of the physical and chemical state of masonry, Proc. RILEM workshop on: On-site control and non-destructive evaluation of masonry structures and materials, Mantova, Italy, Nov 2001, V1, p159-166.
• R.C.de Vekey, GBG 58, Thin layer mortar masonry, BRE, Watford, August 2003

  2004

• R.C.de Vekey, GBG 62, Retro-installation of bed joint reinforcement in masonry, BRE, Watford, October 2004
• Rilem Recommendations Masonry Durability and on-site testing: In-situ testing , Materials and Structures, 37, 271, pp 485-501, August-September 2004.
• MDT. D.1 Indirect determination of the surface strength of unweathered hydraulic cement mortar by the drill energy method, Materials and Structures, 37, 271, pp 485-487, August-September 2004.
• MDT. D.3 Determination ”in situ• of the adhesive strength of rendering and plastering mortars on their substrate, Materials and Structures, 37, 271, pp 488-490, August-September 2004.
• MDT.D.4: In-Situ stress tests based on the flat jack, Materials and Structures, 37, 271, pp 491-496, August-September 2004.
• MDT.D.5: In-Situ stress-strain behaviour tests based on the flat jack, Materials and Structures, 37, 271, pp 497-501, August-September 2004.

  2005

• Recommendations of Rilem Committee TC177-MDT Masonry Durability and on-site testing: MDT.E.1, Determination of moisture distribution and level using radar in masonry built with regular units, Materials and Structures, 38, 276, pp 283-288, March 2005.
• R.C.de Vekey, Sections on: Bond strength testing, Flat jack testing, Pull-out, penetration and Impact hammer tests, Testing of Ceramics, Edited by G.Edgell, Whittles Publishing, Dunbeath, Scotland, 2005