Don't suggest it..

How about an arched brick structure??

Brick usually a simple veneer that is attached to a wall (wood, block, concrete, wrinkle metal studs or whatever). You must always supply support for the dead load no matter what the condition is unless you use the "arch action" to reduce the vertical loads and this requires sufficient height above the opening and an adequate lintel.

Dick

I want to do tests on this and see how it behaves. In australia, they use a helibar and it works by bonding with the masonry to form reinfoced beam which distributes the loads. The hi-fin helical design provides a large surface area to the cross section for great bonding characteristics.

The units made in your area may be unique, so it will be difficult to relate to other areas.

Keep in mind that brick has many important properties and compressive strength is probably the least important.

The sizes, shapes and core configurations are not standardized. Even Boral Brick from Australia, which is one of the largest brick manufacturers in the world has hundreds or thousands of brick configurations.

What exactly are the size, shape and configuration of the brick you are working with?

The Australian masonry industry has some reasonable good technical information that could help you, especially with your codes. If it is for another location the BIA (USA) could help you. Also, there are some great guidelines for use of oversize clay brick (hollow or solid - really semi solid) from Germany.

Normally, garage doors do not require engineering since there are proven method and details. If this is a research project contact a brick company that has complete technical support for the products you are considering.

I have seen systems with a tensioned strap in the first grout course but I would not tend to trust them.

I always use a channel with an angle welded to it.

"The Australian masonry industry has some reasonable good technical information that could help you, especially with your codes. If it is for another location the BIA (USA) could help you. Also, there are some great guidelines for use of oversize clay brick (hollow or solid - really semi solid) from Germany."

CM - do you have any links to this info?
Anyone else?

Besides BIA, what other useful references are commonly used?

Does anyone have experience with "Ring" software from UK (Sheffield)?