Attachment to Existing Terra Cotta

[gtrocks]

Has anyone ever used Hilti HY270 to attach a shear connection to an existing Terra Cotta exterior wall? We are supporting about 1000#. Hilti lists "hollow clay masonry" and some capacities, but I would guess that Terra Cotta is not what they mean. We were expecting the backup to be concrete masonry, not Terra Cotta. Thanks

 

[JAE]

I'd be hesitant to depend on Terra Cotta for anything structural - just me being a big chicken.

I understand it has moderate compressive strength but for shear and tension it's probably closer to dried snot.

 

[Enable]

I would probably specify in-situ testing in a variety of panels with a few different conditions (e.g. some centered, some closer to edge, etc.). That's our usual course when we're outside published tables, which is not an infrequent occurrence. If you don't have that opportunity at the design stage, then increase number of anchors by some margin and write the testing into the contract. Be sure to let the owner / client know that the spacing is contingent on satisfactory field performance and that if the field test does not pass muster, you may not be able to do what they envision. Also, to avoid cancelled construction contract fees and all that, write it such that a mock-up (with field testing) occurs prior to everything else and that the contractor shall include in their price the possibility of termination due to lack of feasibility or similar.

 

[XR250]

What about busting out some faces and grouting it first?