What is a common purpose for including reinforcement in masonry walls?

Including reinforcement in masonry walls primarily serves to ensure structural integrity. Reinforcement, such as rebar or mesh, is incorporated within masonry systems to enhance their ability to withstand various stresses and loads. This is particularly important in areas subjected to lateral forces like wind, seismic activity, or soil pressure.

Without appropriate reinforcement, masonry walls can be vulnerable to cracking or failure under these conditions. The reinforcement allows the wall to distribute loads more evenly and maintain stability, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the structure and ensuring safety.

While the aesthetic appeal of a masonry wall may be enhanced by various factors, that is not the primary purpose of reinforcement. Similarly, while reducing costs and speeding up construction can be benefits associated with certain materials or methods, they do not directly relate to the fundamental purpose of reinforcement, which is structural stability. Therefore, the inclusion of reinforcement is critical to ensuring the masonry wall can effectively perform its intended function within the overall building design.