(1) Every empirically constructed bearing-wall, pier and column of plain normal concrete shall comply with the requirements of this section.

(2) The effective thickness of such wall shall be not less than set out in Table XV for the same conditions as those set out in sections 44 to 56 for brick wall of the corresponding effective thickness.

TABLE XV
MINIMUM EFFECTIVE THICKNESS OF EMPIRICALLY CONSTRUCTED PLAIN NORMAL CONCRETE BEARING WALLS

*Minimum actual thickness permitted.

(3) The provisions of subsection (2) shall also apply to the effective thickness of stiffened walls determined in accordance with the provisions of subsections(5) to (10) of section 66.

(4) Reinforcement shall be placed around all openings, and reinforcing bars shall be distant not less than 25 millimetres above and not less than 50 millimetres below, and not less than 40 millimetres horizontally from every edge of every opening, and shall extend for a distance of not less than 48 times the bar diameter beyond the edges of the opening:

Provided that such distance may be reduced by the provision of hooks as specified in Chapter 3.

(5) Instead of providing reinforcement as required in subsection(4), a reinforcing bar may be replaced to extend diagonally past each corner of the opening, so as to pass not less than 50 millimetres from such corners and to extend not less than 600 millimetres in both directions from the point nearest to the corner of the opening.

(6) The mass of such reinforcement around openings shall be equivalent to that of one 10 millimetres bar for each 100 millimetres, or remaining portion thereof, thickness of the wall, and it shall be symmetrically disposed in the thickness of the wall.

(7) Plain, normal concrete piers cast integrally with such wall to its full height may be assumed to increase effective thickness as set out in subsections (6) and (9) of section 66 if such piers comply with the requirements of those subsections.

(8) Plain concrete columns shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of sections 63 to 82.