Damage to Existing Triple Wythe Brick Wall

[jmw2005]

I am working on a building that needs repaired due to car hitting the building at a high rate of speed. The building was built in the 50's out of triple wythe unreinforced brick. Shear cracks radiate through all three wythes of brick back at the first two windows approx. 15' back. I am trying to get an another opinion on if I am not being conservative enough by peeling back damaged brick to the first window and infilling as necessary and then injecting grout into the smaller shear cracks.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...&file=2016-6-3_Outside_of_Lander_shop_002.JPG

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...&file=2016-6-3_Outside_of_Lander_shop_003.JPG

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...&file=2016-6-3_Outside_of_Lander_shop_008.JPG

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...b0a1-497f-ac1b-c7a246735527&file=DSC00030.JPG

 

[XR250]

How will you get grout into the middle wythe?

I just worked on a similar issue and had them replace all the damaged wall sections with 8" CMU and 4" veneer toothed in.

 

[JAE]

Your repair concept sounds OK. I would be careful about the type of mortar you use.
You might want to get the mortar tested so you can potentially replicate it.

Using a too high strength mortar on older softer brick is bad for the brick long term.
However, from your photos, and from the 1950's, you might be working with a bit stronger/harder brick than some I've seen.

The key is, I think, to err on the side of the mortar being a bit softer than you think you need...perhaps type N instead of S.



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