Ring beam and tie to the wall

How this node works

For the new slab to act as a rigid floor diaphragm, it must be tied to the perimeter walls. A reinforced ring beam runs round the top of the masonry, and anchors hooked from the slab into that ring (or into the wall) stitch them together. Now the floor can gather the seismic forces and brace the walls against overturning - the decisive gain of the technique in old buildings - while the timber beam simply bears, free to be seen below.

Key points

• Perimeter masonry
• Slab (diaphragm)
• R.C. ring beam
• Anchor to the wall
• Beam end (bearing)
• Slab bearing