Masonry Magazine October 1980 Page. 13
BIA Technical Notes on Brick Construction
Brick Institute of America 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, Virginia 22102
28B
REVISED
February
1980
Brick Institute of America
Feb. 1980
BRICK
MASONRY
5d
METALS
LIGHT GAGE METAL FRAMING
BRICK VENEER
PANEL AND CURTAIN WALLS
Abstract: This Technical Notes covers the considerations and recommendations for the design and construction of brick veneer-metal stud panel and curtain walls for buildings over three stories in height. Information and recommendations included pertain to: behavior of veneer, differential movement, ties and anchors, detailing and selection of materials.
Key Words: bricks, brick veneer, buildings, deflection, design, elastic properties, fasteners, masonry, permeability, stability, stiffness, walls.
1(25 mm) MINIMUM AIRSPACE
METAL STUDS
WEEP
HOLES
FLASHING
FOUNDATION
Typical Brick Veneer and Metal Stud Wall
FIG. 1
INTRODUCTION
Over the past seven or eight years a "new" exterior brick masonry wall system has come on the market and has been widely used. The wall system is brick veneer over metal stud backup with gypsum sheathing, see Fig. 1.
The new exterior brick wall system is an innovation and adaptation in application of the conventional brick veneer over wood studs that has been used successfully for one and two-family houses for decades. This innovation has been used, often without the benefit of much study or understanding of the nature and behavior of the materials. Problems can occur from the application of this system to buildings above three stories which are of steel and concrete frame, unless properly designed, detailed and constructed.
It should be noted, however, that this wall system, when properly designed, detailed and constructed, will perform quite satisfactorily. It offers several things: 1) It provides a space for insulation. 2) It permits the building to get into the "dry" and the brickwork to continue at a convenient time when weather permits. 3) It provides the appearance and attributes of a brick building.
This Technical Notes discusses brick veneer over metal stud backup systems used as panel and curtain walls in buildings above three stories. Other Technical Notes in this Series deal with brick veneer over new and existing construction in low-rise (up to three stories) and one and two-family residential structures.
As the brick veneer-metal stud panel and curtain wall system has gained in popularity and use in buildings over three stories, it has become apparent that a good deal of care and attention is necessary for satisfactory performance. This Technical Notes provides information and suggestions for design, detailing and construction procedures that can assist the designer in attaining the expected and required performance.
BRICK VENEER OVER METAL STUDS
General
A veneered wall is by definition, "a wall having a facing of masonry units or other weather-resisting non-combustible materials securely attached to the backing, but not so bonded as to intentionally exert common action under load", see Technical Notes 2. A brick veneered wall consists of an exterior wythe of brick, isolated from the backup by a minimum 1-in. (25 mm) airspace, and attached to the backup with corrosion-resistant metal ties, see Fig. 1.