Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
(OP)
Hi:
I would like to know if anyone has dealt with this issue before.
In designing a CMU/Brick COMPOSITE shear wall,(intermediate space fully grouted) how have you dealt with the different coefficients of expansion of the two materials. We know there's a lot of potential for cracks but I haven't seen this issue addressed in any of the books I have in my structural masonry design books.
Thanks for your feedback beforehand.
RareBug
I would like to know if anyone has dealt with this issue before.
In designing a CMU/Brick COMPOSITE shear wall,(intermediate space fully grouted) how have you dealt with the different coefficients of expansion of the two materials. We know there's a lot of potential for cracks but I haven't seen this issue addressed in any of the books I have in my structural masonry design books.
Thanks for your feedback beforehand.
RareBug






RE: Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
I'd also be concerned about moisture related shrinkage in the block and irreversible moisture expansion in the brick, if your walls are new. Regards
RE: Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
Wall 50 ft tall, new construction. Clients wants brick on the outside and I am using my reinforced CMU for structural purposes.
Thanks
RE: Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
You may want to rethink the wall construction and recommend a cmu structural wall with a layer of insulation, air space and veneer face brick attached to the masonry with eye and pintel type masonry ties.
50' is pretty tall for face brick without a brick bearing angle and properly detailed relief jointing. I usually detail brick relief joints every (2) stories on buildings (3) or more stories high (every 25' vertically +/-).
I would definately not recommend tying the two courses together hard at that height.
So your issues are:
1) Differential movement
2) Moisture transmission
3) Air quality (mold) due to moisture transmission
4) Insulation
Sounds like you need to specify a cavity wall system. Talk to the architect of record and see what they think.
RE: Composite CMU/Brick wall Expansion Issue
We note that these issues are often not well connected, with regards to the veneer especially, often resulting in premature failure of the veneer system and deterioration of the structural system supporting it.