brick veneer as load bearing
brick veneer as load bearing
(OP)
can an existing exterior brick veneer for a residential structure become a load bearing wall if a new addition is added to the structure? can a ledger be attached to the brick veneer? (the existing exterior wall becomes a interior wall and the wood stud walls all remain intact with ties)






RE: brick veneer as load bearing
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
thanks
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
So you have justified it for standing up under vertical loads, but what about under lateral loads. If the extension is not designed to be completely self supporting under wind then you are relying on some veneer ties to resist the majority of the racking loads.
csd
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
thanks to all
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
Ledgers cannot be attached to veneer. They must be attached directly to the bearing wall.
Everyone knows brick veneer provides substantial rigidity to a wood frame structure, but codes do not recognize the reliability because the construction methods and connections are not designed for the additional loads that it does resist. There is no structural tie between the wood frame and the brick that permits proper load distribution, plus the two materials are not compatible.
Granted, the brick veneer itself may have greater more vertical load capacity than the wood frame wall, you have to look at the structure and its behavior considering that stiffer materials will take more load even if they are not planned to.
Dick
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
If you are confident in your analysis, for vertical loads and lateral loads, then you can be comfortable with this design. As far as I know, there are no prohibitions against this.
DaveAtkins
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
I was talking about loads perpendicular to the wall.
csd
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
I do think there may be a limited or very limited circumstance that an existing veneer can essentially become a change in use (from an ornamental/non-structural to a structural non-reinforced masonry).
Thank you all for input.
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
should that statement be 'shall not' or are they okaying any vertical loads?
csd
Also is it technically a veneer if it is no longer on the outside of the building?
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
i wondered about the technical definition of veneer, the IRC does have a section for interior masonry veneer (that it should be properly supported)
RE: brick veneer as load bearing
Since you dont have any wind load on the brick anymore can you justify that the brick can stand up by itself and does not need the support of the timber stud wall? If you can, then it is no longer acting as a veneer.
csd