Rafael is currently in the lab doing tests to assess the bond strength between masonry and reinforcement. He has completed the first phase of these tests with the second phase set to begin imminently. He has found that development length expressions appear to be conservative, particularly for bars placed close to the face shells. We will see what comes from his next phase of tests but the outcomes of his work may allow for the use of smaller splice lengths in masonry walls. Rafael is currently writing a conference paper for the CMS event in Ottawa this year and also has a journal paper drafted on the heavily reinforced slender wall he tested at the Scorpio site.