Masonry Magazine July 2001 Page. 15
STRUCTURAL BRICK: A BUILDING MATERIAL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Structural brick is a building material that combines the structural integrity of concrete block with the aesthetic appeal of clay brick. This makes it an ideal choice for a variety of construction projects, from residential homes to large-scale commercial projects. When selecting a unit you should consider both the structural requirements as well as the aesthetic features of the unit when placed in the wall.
"When we developed our Supr-King™ structural brick, we wanted a unit that could handle high wind loads and earthquake forces for residential and light commercial projects, but we also wanted a unit that had a more pleasing scale than some of the larger structural units in use. This is why we chose the 95/8"(length) x 23/4"(height) x 45/s" (width) size of our SuprKing™ unit," said Mark Kinser, Vice-President of Corporate Development and Marketing at General Shale Brick in Johnson City, Tennessee. "We also produce the special shapes such as bond beams and special quoin units that I feel are essential for successful structural brick projects," says Kinser.
STRUCTURAL BRICK APPLICATIONS
Effective structural brick applications can take many shapes. Tom Bishop of Berry Enterprises in Chilhowie, Virginia has been using structural brick in his masonry operations since 1995. Bishop's masonry crews have completed a number of successful structural brick projects including homes, privacy walls, an automobile service station, two building material stores, a vehicle maintenance building, a building supply warehouse, a multi-use facility for a church, and a farm utility barn.
ENGINEERS LIKE STRUCTURAL BRICK CONSTRUCTION
Todd Dailey, a professional engineer and owner of Dailey Engineering, a firm which specializes in masonry consulting and school facility design in Onsted, Michigan, chose structural brick for his own home (see Photo 2). "A major factor was professional interest. Being involved in building design, it was automatic that our house would be of some sort of masonry for all of the advantages it brings (durability, appearance, low maintenance, etc.). I finally decided on SuprKing™™™ because I liked the idea of putting the structural strength of brick to use instead of just using it as cladding", says Dailey. "When we first moved into the house our family was amazed at how little outside sound could be heard. We live on a lake, and high winds often develop over the open water. About the only time we would hear anything is when the wind speeds would get high enough to rattle the roof shingles." Dailey, who lives in Michigan with cold winter conditions has also been very impressed with the energy efficiency of his home. "My annual gas bills average less than $900 for our house, which includes heat, hot water, and for heat to melt snows and ice off of my driveway. I see the rigid insulation, with taped joints and no thermal bridges, as more superior than conventional studs/batt insulation." Dailey's home has 3500-sq. ft. of living space.
Hal W. Barrineau, owner of H.W. Barrineau and Associates, Inc. in Ocala, Florida also selected structural
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MASONRY JULY, 2001 15