Adding 6" CMU ledge next to existing masonry foundation wall for supporting new brick finish

[HokieNation]

Like to discuss an option for an addition/renovation where we are adding a full height brick at existing masonry foundation wall. I am proposing to add an additional course of 6" masonry from footing to little blow grade and have brick rest on this new stem. Of course footing will need to be widened by adding new footing and dowel in to existing footing to make it wide enough to support additional load.

Just trying to see if anyone has better option/opinion/suggestion?

Thanks.

 

[IsaacStructural]

You could anchor a ledge angle into the FDN wall and have it carry the masonry like a regular lintel. The ledge angle will be close to ground, so I'd make some effort to protect it from corrosion by making it thicker than needed, stainless steel or galvanized. If you provide anchors at a regular spacing, they should have no problem carrying the load.

This seems a bit less involved than expanding the entire footing.

M.S. Structural Engineering
Licensed Structural Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer (Illinois)

 

[HokieNation]

Thank you IsaacStructural:

I have few reasons for not to put up a ledge angle, of course one as you mentioned is corrosion, second is condition of existing masonry wall and anchoring to existing masonry wall and third the load will get transferred anyway regardless of you support directly on footing or to ledge angle (which eventually transfer the load to masonry wall and to the footing), so if its 20 ft high brick being added it will approximately add 800 lbs/ft load to the footing. So if I am widening the footing then might just add course of CMU little below ground so brick can sit on it and no long term issues.

Thank you.

 

[hokie66]

You can dowel into the existing strip footing and widen it as you planned. As the new veneer will be brick, I would use brick below grade as well, and fill the cavity below the flashing.

 

[Ron]

What you are planning is common. I agree with hokie66's recommendation.