min. reinf. reqmts for masonry and seismic

huangyhg

min. reinf. req'mts for masonry and seismic
aci 530 has requirements for minimum reinforcing in masonry when the seismic performance category is c or higher.  but does this minimum reinforcing still apply when the seismic force is not part of the controlling load combination?  
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each and every load combination must be satisfied in all their requirements.  simply because one load combination requires the most reinforcing in flexure/shear doesn't mean that the other load combinations (and their unique requirements) can be ignored.
i am also working on a big masonry school and have some difficulty with understanding the exact requirements for reinforcement in masonry.  one of the major locations is the gym walls that are 8.0m high and have sound blocks that
prevent having rm columns eccept every 3.0 m.  what is the solution for something like this? can you use an equivelant area of steel? something like you need from design 200 mm2/m so you take 600mm2 every 3m.
best regards
yes, the seismic minimums are still applicable, but they are not necessarily what you will finally be required to use.