1. History of reference documents

In 1958, a specific DTU was drawn up for masonry, in association with reinforced concrete and plastering. In 1961, this was supplemented by special requirements for the construction of thin plaster brick partitions, published in response to the numerous cases of partition failure due to cracking or buckling following deformation of the structural elements in which they were embedded [1] .

In the early 70s, the first oil crisis led to an increase in the thermal performance of walls: the first changes involved lowering masonry thicknesses so that, while adding a specific thermal insulator to the wall construction, overall wall thicknesses could be maintained close to those hitherto customary.

The ensuing damage caused by cracking and rain penetration of exterior walls prompted...