High-rise concrete and clay block masonry building in Brazil / Hochhäuser aus Mauerwerk in Brasilien

Brazilian structural concrete and clay block masonry construction shares many common features with construction all over the world: blocks of a similar shape are bedded in mortar, vertical and horizontal reinforcement is placed in grouted cells, engineering analysis and design follows universal principles and local design codes mimic those adopted elsewhere. However, loadbearing masonry construction in Brazil has become one of the most preferred high-rise building systems due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of construction compared to normal reinforced concrete solutions. This paper provides an overview of loadbearing masonry building in Brazil, including case studies on notable high-rise masonry structures, with an overview of how Brazilian materials, codes and practices differ from the rest of the world. Finally, the paper explains how the use of high-strength units assists the growing demand for taller and taller buildings and provides insight into why owners and general contractors often prefer to use structural masonry.