Curtain Wall Attachment to Masonry

[jake1ryan]

I know this is more of an architectural problem, but unfortunately I have to deal with it. I wasn't sure where to post it. The problem is that the architect wants to use split face CMU at the main entry system. There is a large curtain wall system attaching to the wall. The problem is how to attach the curtain wall jamb to the split face CMU. The wall is 25' tall, so I don't know how easy it would be to grind the face of the split face smooth. The need a smooth connection at the wall. Has anyone had this problem before? My suggestion was to change the wall to regular CMU, attach the system to the 12" wall, and add a 4" split face CMU veneer. They really don't want the veneer, but I see no other choice. Any suggestions out there. Thanks

 

[concretemasonry]

The architect should be able to come up with a detail where an area of the wall has a smooth face for the curtain wall to be attached to. It is done every day with both split face and split rib block. - Even where the split face is recessed or projects beyond the no,omal face for smooth units.

There are many different sized smooth face units (gray and pigmented) that can be used in combination with the split unit. - Contact the masonry supplier, he probably knows more than the architect and has seen similar conditions before.

 

[msquared48]

If the architect cannot crezte the smooth surface on paper, tell him you would be happy to loan him the proper tools to do it in the field himself. That should make a few points.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering