TR149A

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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION


The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to
support and advance the common interests of its members in the manufacture, marketing, research, and
application of concrete masonry products. The Association is an industry leader in providing technical
assistance, education, marketing, research and development, and product and system innovation to its
members and to the industry.


The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) is a trade association whose mission is to
enhance the collective interests of the metal building systems industry. MBMA provides technical
leadership to the industry through an active technical agenda, educational programs and through outreach
to building design professionals. The numerous research programs undertaken by MBMA have lead to
significant contributions to raise the state-of-the-art in efficient and cost-effective structures for over 55
years.
Headquarters: 1300 Sumner Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
216-241-7333 www.mbma.com


The International Code Council is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the health,
safety, and welfare of people by creating better buildings and safer communities. The mission of ICC is to
provide the highest quality codes, standards, products, and services for all concerned with the safety and
performance of the built environment. The Code Council is the publisher of the family of International
Codes® (I-Codes®), a single set of comprehensive and coordinated model codes. This unified approach to
building codes enhances safety, efficiency and affordability in the construction of buildings.
Headquarters: 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001
District Offices: Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA
1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) www.iccsafe.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following individuals are recognized for their contribution for the development of the
masonry design aides and metal building detailing respectively:

Russell H. Brown, PhD, PE, Professor Emeritus, Clemson University


Gilliam Harris, PE, SE, Gilliam Harris Engineering, LLC

Copyright © 2011 National Concrete Masonry Association



This manual is intended as a guide for the designer, contractor, and owner in the preparation of
constructing concrete masonry walls with metal building systems. The discussion, design aides,
and construction details are intended to assist architects and engineers in the design of masonry
walls for metal building systems and to acquaint builders and contractors with recommended
construction methods and details.
The material presented does not cover all possible situations but is intended to represent some of
the more widely used concrete masonry construction practices and other pertinent information.
Care has been taken to ensure that the information included in this manual is as accurate as
possible. However, NCMA, MBMA, and ICC do not assume responsibility for errors or
omissions resulting from the use of this manual or in preparation of plans or specifications.
Additionally, information contained herein may not conform to local building code requirements
and should therefore be reviewed carefully to assure compliance.

NCMA ENGINEERING STAFF


Jason J. Thompson, Director of Engineering
Dennis W. Graber, Director of Technical Publications
Nicholas Lang, Manager, Research and Development Laboratory
Gabriela Mariscal, Geotechnical Engineer

Printed in the United States of America

Copyright © 2011 National Concrete Masonry Association


ISBN 1-881384-24-1
NCMA Publication Number TR 149A

National Concrete Masonry Association


13750 Sunrise Valley Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
703-713-1900
www.ncma.org

This book was laid out by Resimont Products, Inc.


Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 General ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Aesthetic Appeal................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Low Cost for Construction and Maintenance, Design Flexibility, and Rapid
Construction ............................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Strength, Durability, and Security ....................................................................... 3
1.4 Energy Efficiency of Concrete Masonry Construction ......................................... 4
1.5 Fire Resistance................................................................................................... 5
1.6 Noise Control ...................................................................................................... 6
1.7 Water Penetration Resistance ............................................................................ 6
Structural Design Considerations and Detailing ............................................................ 11
2.1 General ............................................................................................................. 11
2.2 Bracing Flanges of Structural Steel Elements .................................................. 33
2.3 Movement Design Considerations .................................................................... 36
2.3.1 General .......................................................................................................... 36
2.3.2 Lateral Drift.................................................................................................... 37
2.3.3 Detailing at the Foundation ........................................................................... 37
2.4 Reinforced Concrete Masonry Design Requirements ....................................... 44
2.4.1 Loads ............................................................................................................ 44
2.4.2 Design Procedures ........................................................................................ 45
2.4.3 Design Aids ................................................................................................... 46
Construction .................................................................................................................. 71
3.0 General ............................................................................................................. 71
3.1 Foundation Construction .................................................................................. 71
3.2 Concrete Masonry Construction ....................................................................... 72
3.3 Construction Details ......................................................................................... 73
APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................. 75
Notations ................................................................................................................ 75
Definitions ............................................................................................................... 75
APPENDIX B ................................................................................................................. 83
References ............................................................................................................. 83
APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................ 87
Design Examples Using Structural Masonry Design System Software .................. 87
APPENDIX D .............................................................................................................. 107
Metric Conversions ............................................................................................... 107
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Chapter 1
Introduction

1.0 General

Metal buildings are used extensively for warehouses and other structures requiring large, open
floor spaces. The ability of metal building manufacturers to meet these needs by standardizing
design and construction details has caused these buildings to often be mistakenly referred to as
“metal building systems.” Metal buildings provide considerable design flexibility, long clear
spans and rapid construction. As part of this flexibility, metal buildings can be clad with a
variety of materials to provide different appearances or functions to the buildings. Reinforced
concrete masonry walls as detailed in this manual are popular enclosure systems for metal
buildings because of masonry’s impact resistance, strength, and fire resistance. The
attractiveness and durability of masonry combined with the steel frame make this building type
ideal not only for warehouses but also for commercial buildings, schools, and gymnasiums.

Some of the benefits concrete masonry walls add to metal buildings include:

Aesthetics Design Flexibility


Low Cost Rapid Construction
Strength Durability
Impact Resistance Security
Energy Efficiency Fire Resistance
Noise Reduction Water Resistance

Each of these properties will be discussed in the following sections of this chapter and
throughout this publication. More detailed information on these and other topics is available free
online through NCMA’s website www.ncma.org.

When integrating concrete masonry and steel frames into a single structural system, special
considerations need to be addressed to account for the unique properties of each of these building
materials. Chapter 1 of this guide provides a general overview of the design and detailing
recommendations for serviceability and performance. Structural design considerations are
reviewed in detail in Chapter 2. Finally, Chapter 3 provides guidance for the construction of
metal buildings integrating concrete masonry. Note that unreinforced (plain masonry) is not
addressed in this manual which focuses on design and detailing of reinforced masonry
assemblies –with or without a masonry veneer finish. Reinforcing steel provides ductility to
concrete masonry walls to make them more compatible with the highly flexible metal building
frames.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

1.1 Aesthetic Appeal

Historically, most concrete masonry structures have been constructed with standard grey block
that can be used as either the finished surface or as a base for other finish treatments, including
stucco, paint, and anchored or adhered masonry veneer. More recently, architectural units such
as color tinted, split faced, burnished and scored units have been used to add attractive finishes to
metal buildings. Architectural units can be used for the entire façade or for banding courses to
achieve specific patterns or to highlight certain aspects of the building.

Although construction with staggered vertical mortar joints (running bond) is standard, the
appearance of continuous vertical mortar joints (stack bond pattern) can be achieved through the
use of scored units or by using reinforced stack bond construction. Note that the design charts
used in this manual only address running bond, however.

More information on the aesthetic attributes and options of concrete masonry construction can be
found in the following TEK (ref. 13):
TEK 2-1A Typical Sizes and Shapes of Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 2-2B Considerations for Using Specialty Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 2-3A Architectural Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 5-2A Clay and Concrete Masonry Banding Details
TEK 5-10A Concrete Masonry Radial Wall Details
TEK 5-15 Details for Half-High Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 5-16 Aesthetic Design with Concrete Masonry
TEK 14-6 Concrete Masonry Bond Patterns
Design inspiration can also be found in NCMA’s bi-monthly publication Concrete Masonry
Designs (ref. 14).

1.2 Low Cost for Construction and Maintenance, Design


Flexibility, and Rapid Construction
Concrete masonry construction costs are relatively low because the materials are inexpensive,
the construction is straightforward and the work proceeds rapidly.

Accordingly, concrete masonry construction is competitive with other cladding systems while
maintaining high standards of quality and performance. One often overlooked advantage of
concrete masonry is its modular nature that can easily accommodate changes in floor plans or
wall heights. Corners, tees, and curves can easily be laid out. Forming or framing these floor
plan changes with other cladding materials is often difficult, making concrete masonry especially
attractive and cost efficient. This flexibility for design and construction also translates to speed
of construction. Large areas of the floor slab for casting panels or special casting beds are not
required or large equipment to handle panels or extensive curing times before walls can be put in
place. For large wall areas, power (crank-up or hydraulic) scaffolds greatly increase construction
efficiency and reduce construction time for masonry.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Concrete masonry structures can be constructed using virtually any layout dimension. However,
for maximum construction efficiency and economy, concrete masonry elements should be
designed and constructed with modular coordination in mind. Modular coordination is the
practice of laying out and dimensioning structures to standard lengths and heights to
accommodate modular sized building materials. Standard concrete masonry modules are
typically 8 in. (203 mm) vertically and horizontally, but may also include 4- in. (102-mm)
modules for some applications. These modules provide the best overall design flexibility and
coordination with other building products such as windows and doors.

Maintenance costs for concrete masonry walls are low as well because concrete masonry is
tough, durable, and colorfast. Masonry resists incidental impact loads from hand carts and
forklifts as well or better than other cladding systems, making frequent and costly repairs
unnecessary.

More information on construction and maintenance can be found in the following TEK (ref. 13):
TEK 3-8A Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 4-1A Productivity and Modular Coordination in Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 4-2A Estimating Concrete Masonry Materials
TEK 5-9A Concrete Masonry Corner Details
TEK 5-10A Concrete Masonry Radial Wall Details
TEK 5-12 Modular Layout of Concrete Masonry
TEK 8-1A Maintenance of Concrete Masonry Walls

1.3 Strength, Durability, and Security

The strength and durability of concrete masonry make it popular for both above grade and below
grade construction. Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and explosions have repeatedly
shown the toughness of properly designed and constructed concrete masonry buildings.

This same strength makes concrete masonry ideal for metal building warehouses, manufacturing
plants, and commercial buildings. Concrete masonry walls can span large distances, and when
reinforced and properly detailed, they can accommodate the deflections and lateral drifts of metal
building systems.

Detailing information and design charts are provided in Chapter 2 to assist with the design of
typical masonry walls for metal buildings.

More information on the strength, durability and security of concrete masonry can be found on
line in the following TEK (ref. 13):
TEK 3-2A Grouting Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 3-8A Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 5-14 Concrete Masonry Hurricane and Tornado Shelters
TEK 14-5A Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Wall Design

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

TEK 14-10B Impact Resistance of Concrete


Masonry Walls for Correctional Facilities
TEK 14-18B Prescriptive Seismic
Reinforcement Requirements for Masonry
Structures
TEK 14-21 Blast and Bullet Resistant
Concrete Masonry Buildings

1.4 Energy Efficiency of Concrete


Masonry Construction

Concrete masonry walls are easily insulated with a


variety of products including rigid insulation,
insulation inserts, loose fill insulation, and foamed
in-place insulation. Due to the susceptibility of batt
insulation to moisture, caution should be used when
using this, or any other moisture-sensitive material,
to help ensure it remains dry during the structure’s
service life. Depending on the particular site
conditions and owner’s preference, insulation may be
placed on the outside of block walls, on the interior
faces of the walls, in the cores of hollow units, or in
the cavity space of multi-wythe walls.

The thermal mass of concrete masonry also


contributes to maintaining consistency of the
minimum temperatures in buildings required by
Model Building Codes (IBC Section 1204), thus
providing a more comfortable working and living
environment. Similarly, reduced mechanical
equipment on-off cycles contributes toward lower
heating and cooling bills.

Further, contributions of thermal mass as historically Figure 1.1—Several of Many


associated with mass walls allows the least stringent Insulation Strategies for
tabulated R-Values and U-Factors of any of the listed Concrete Masonry Walls.
wall assemblies found within the Model International
Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 Standard. Multiple insulation strategies are
shown in Figure 1.1. As an example, utilizing 3 inches (76 mm) of polyisocyanurate board
insulation can result in an opaque masonry wall assembly R-factor in excess of R 26. Therefore
taking into account the contribution of thermal mass of concrete masonry results in exemplary
energy conservation. It is assumed that proper masonry moisture control such as flashing and
integral water repellents along with vapor and air permeance detailing such as interior masonry
coatings and/or taped insulation board or otherwise sealed insulation are incorporated. See TEK
6-1B and TEK 6-2B (ref. 13) for more detailed information.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

More information on energy efficiency and insulation strategies of concrete masonry walls can
be found in the Chapter 6 of the TEK Manual (ref. 13). Select documents include:
TEK 6-1B R-Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 6-2B R-Values and U-Factors for Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 6-3 Shifting Peak Energy Loads with Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 6-4A Energy Code Compliance Using COMCheck
TEK 6-5A Passive Solar Design Strategies
TEK 6-10A Concrete Masonry Radiant Heating/Cooling Systems
TEK 6-11A Insulating Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 6-12C International Energy Conservation Code and Concrete Masonry

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) published the 2010 Energy Design
Guide for Metal Building Systems (ref. 16) to aid building owners, architects, specifiers,
contractors, builders and metal building manufacturers in their efforts for building energy
conservation. The Energy Design Guide for Metal Building Systems is a synthesis of all of the
pertinent information on how to design, construct, and maintain metal buildings to be energy
efficient. The guide also includes common ways to insulate a metal building roof and walls to
meet today's energy codes and standards.

1.5 Fire Resistance

Concrete masonry is noncombustible and effectively resists the passage of flames, smoke, and
heat. Accordingly, building codes assign high fire ratings to concrete masonry walls, making
them effective fire walls for warehouses, hotels, apartments, and other structures. These same
attributes allow concrete masonry to protect steel columns and beams in metal buildings from
fire.

TEK 7-1C (ref. 13) provides code based tables and design information for determining fire
resistance ratings for concrete masonry assemblies. For instance, from the tables in the TEK, it
can be seen that two hour fire ratings can be achieved by most 8 in. (203 mm) hollow units.
Filling the cells with the following materials will result in fire resistance ratings of over 4 hours
for 8-in. (203 mm) concrete masonry: grout that complies with ASTM C476 (ref. 8), aggregates
in the form of sand, pea gravel, crushed stone, or slag that comply with ASTM C33 (ref. 7),
pumice, scoria, expanded shale, expanded clay, expanded slate, expanded slag, expanded fly ash,
or cinders that comply with ASTM C331 (ref. 9), perlite meeting the requirements of ASTM
C549 (ref. 11), or vermiculite complying with ASTM C516 (ref. 12).

TEK (ref. 13) with more detailed information on concrete masonry fire resistance are:
TEK 7-1C Fire Resistance Rating of Concrete Masonry Assemblies
TEK 7-5A Evaluating Fire-Exposed Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 7-6A Steel Column Fire Protection

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

In addition, a Fire, Energy, and Sound Calculator is available free on line (www.ncma.org) to
provide easy calculation of fire resistance ratings for concrete masonry assemblies, including
concrete masonry fire protection for steel columns.

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published the 2010 Fire Resistance
Design Guide for Metal Building Systems (ref. 17) to address steel fire protection for low-rise
metal building systems. The guide includes essential basic background information for
practitioners not familiar with the subject, as well as some advanced guidance and insights for
more experienced users. The guide also includes twelve MBMA-sponsored assembly listings, as
well as non-MBMA listings that can be integrated with metal building systems, such as concrete
masonry walls.

1.6 Noise Control


Absorbed
Concrete masonry is an ideal noise control sound
material in two important ways. First, masonry
Transmitted
walls act as barriers that block sound
sound
transmission over a wide range of frequencies.
Outdoor sounds and sounds from other areas of
a building are thus reflected away by concrete Reflected
masonry walls. sound

Secondly, concrete masonry is also an effective Concrete


material for absorbing noise generated within a masonry
room (see Figure 1.2). This sound absorbing wall
ability of concrete masonry is unique as other
barrier surfaces may reflect sound without Figure 1.2—Sound Reflection and
diminishing it. Absorption Characteristics
of Concrete Masonry
The combined ability of concrete masonry to
absorb noise and block the passage of sound have made it a material of choice for highway
sound walls, manufacturing plants, gymnasiums, apartments, and hotel separation walls.

TEK (ref. 13) that provide more detailed information on noise control are:
TEK 13-1B Sound Transmission Class Ratings for Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 13-2A Noise Control with Concrete Masonry
TEK 13-3A Concrete Masonry Highway Sound Barriers
TEK 13-4 Outside-Inside Transmission Class of Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 14-15B Allowable Stress Design of Pier and Panel Highway Sound Barrier Walls

1.7 Water Penetration Resistance

When properly designed, constructed and maintained, concrete masonry walls provide excellent
resistance to water penetration. Concrete masonry walls readily accept a wide range of water

6
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

repellent and waterproof coatings. For additional protection, integral water repellent admixtures
can be added into the concrete masonry units and mortar. Cavity wall systems provide an even
higher level of moisture resistance, as the outer wythe sheds most of the rain, and the cavity
prevents any water that does penetrate the outer wythe from reaching the inner wythe of
masonry. Industry recommended construction details to mitigate water penetration are illustrated
in Figure 1.3.

Additional information regarding water penetration resistance design and detailing is available
on line in Chapter 19 of the TEK Manual (ref. 13). TEK of particular interest are:
TEK 19-1 Water Repellents for Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 19-2A Design for Dry Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 19-4A Flashing Strategies for Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 19-5A Flashing Details for Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 19-6 Joint Sealants for Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 19-7 Characteristics of Concrete Masonry Units with Integral Water Repellent

7
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Reposition bar as Cavity filter


Architectural unit
needed to maintain
with inside faceshell
and part of webs cut 11 2 in. (38 mm) cover
over reinforcement
off to fit

Weep holes @
2 ft. 8 in. (813 mm)
3 in. (76 mm) unit for o.c. partially open
8 in. (203 mm) wall "L-shaped" head
joints

1 in. (25 mm)


min. (typ.)
Drip edge (typ.)

Single Wythe Reinforced Wall Section Single Wythe Unreinforced Wall Section

Interior finish

Vapor retarder

Cavity filter or
other mortar
Weep holes or partially collection
open head joints at 32 device
in. (813 mm) o.c. max.
(typ.)
Flashing

Drip edge
2 in. (51 mm) min.
Grade

Concrete slab
Isolation joint

Single Wythe Through-Wall Flashing


Figure 1.3—Typical Flashing Details

8
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

4 1 2 in. (114 mm) max. cavity Vapor retarder


(per local practice)
1 in. (25 mm) min.
clear airspace Insulation
Concrete masonry
veneer
Wall ties
Tuck flashing into mortar
Flashing joint (alternative, provide
sealant at top of flashing
Cavity filter or other
or use self adhering
mortar collection device
flashing)
Weep holes or partially
open head joints at 32
in. (813 mm) o.c. max.
(typ.)

Drip edge

Brick ledge or
foundation

Multi-Wythe Wall

Figure 1.3 (cont.)—Typical Flashing Details

9
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

10
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Chapter 2
Structural Design Considerations and Detailing

2.1 General

The purpose of this manual is to bridge the gap between the engineer who designs a metal
building system and the engineer who designs concrete masonry walls attached to the metal
building system. Usually these two design professionals do not ever see, know, or even talk to
each other. By observing some design ground rules, a coordinated design can be achieved with
these two independent efforts.

This manual is intended to clearly establish spanning directions for the masonry assemblies
incorporated into a metal building. Masonry walls resisting out-of-plane loads generally are
designed to span in the vertical direction. A vertically spanning wall with its out-of-plane load
acting as a one way slab will apply distributed loads to the building floor at the bottom and a
horizontal structural member such as a spandrel at the top. Masonry also can act as shear walls to
resist in-plane loading transmitting lateral forces from the building to the foundation.

Walls that span horizontally between columns of a metal building are considered nonstandard
and require additional treatment. For horizontally spanning walls, the masonry may be designed
to distribute forces to the columns by means of horizontal reinforcement in bond beams. In the
case of horizontally spanning walls, the supporting columns would need to be designed for the
resulting distributed loading. If the masonry engineer decides to use a wall spanning
horizontally, which is sometimes considered when the wall height is greater than the column
spacing, it should be specified on the bid documents received by the metal building manufacturer
in time for bidding.

The cases illustrated in Figures 2.1A through 2.1D define the direction that the masonry spans
and its ability to act as a shear wall.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Spandrel

Height
Wi
nd

Column
a c ing
p
ys
Ba

CASE I (Standard)*
Figure 2.1A—Vertically Spanning Masonry without In-Plane Shear Resistance

Spandrel

Height
Wi
nd

Column ing
pac
ys
Ba

CASE IA (Standard)*
Figure 2.1B—Vertically Spanning Masonry with In-Plane Shear Resistance
*Cases I and IA represent standard design conditions and constitute the default cases. It is
essential that both the masonry engineer and the metal building engineer design for this condition
in order to have compatible designs for the wall and building.

12
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Height
Wi
nd

Column

c ing
y spa
Ba

CASE II (Nonstandard)**
Figure 2.1C—Horizontally Spanning Masonry without In-Plane Shear Resistance

Height
Wi
nd

Column

c ing
y spa
Ba

CASE IIA (Nonstandard)**


Figure 2.1D—Horizontally Spanning Masonry with In-Plane Shear Resistance
** Cases II and IIA represent nonstandard design conditions. If the masonry engineer designs
for either of these cases, it needs to be specified in the purchase order documents as indicated in
Section 2.1.

13
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

A typical metal building clad with concrete masonry walls is shown in Figure 2.1E. Normally,
separate parties design the structural elements of a building - the metal building manufacturer
and the masonry engineer. As indicated previously, these two parties do not communicate with
each other except through this manual. Therefore the purpose of this manual is to establish
guidelines for a standardized design procedure.

The masonry engineer may sometimes serve as the Engineer of Record for the overall project
which includes all disciplines of engineering involved in the project. The metal building
manufacturer will normally design the structural steel framing members and connections for the
rigid frames, end wall frames, roof system, wind bracing (other than masonry walls), metal wall
panels (if applicable), flange braces, girts, exterior canopies and fascias. The masonry engineer
will design the interior and exterior masonry walls and the anchors that connect the steel frame to
the masonry. Other items that are sometimes designed by the metal building manufacturer
include overhead crane runways and mezzanine or intermediate floor framing.

Concrete masonry walls typically used for metal buildings include exterior full height walls,
either with or without a parapet; exterior partial height walls or wainscots; and interior bearing
walls or partitions. Exterior concrete masonry walls are usually designed to transfer their out-of-
plane loads to the metal building system through connections at the steel spandrels or columns.
In addition, the exterior masonry walls can be designed to act as shear walls to carry in-plane
lateral forces. When this is done, the metal building manufacturer will indicate on the metal
building drawings the shear reactions that the masonry wall is expected to carry. These loads are
transferred from the metal building to the masonry shear wall through the spandrel located at or
near the top of the masonry shear wall. The spandrel and connections to the masonry shear wall
need to be designed for these in-plane loads in addition to the out-of-plane loads transferred
between those two structural elements. If the shear wall reactions are not shown on the metal
building drawings, the metal building is designed to carry the lateral forces by means other than
masonry shear walls. In either case proper detailing is required to accommodate the different
movement characteristics of the two building systems.

Exterior wainscots (partial height walls) are a popular use of concrete masonry with metal
buildings. Typically, an eight to ten-foot (2.4 to 3.0-meter) high concrete masonry wall is used
starting at grade where durability, security, or aesthetics are of concern. A metal panel wall
system designed by the metal building manufacturer is usually used above the masonry wainscot.

It is important to properly integrate a structurally sound steel frame and a structurally sound
masonry wall to form a completed building with structural integrity. Figures 2.1F through 2.1U
show details of construction that connect the steel and the masonry. Figure 2.1T shows a steel
spandrel serving as a window head at the top of a masonry wall. Insulation for the metal
building is not shown in these figures for clarity. Consult the MBMA Energy Design Guide for
Metal Building Systems (ref. 16) for various insulation methods for metal building roofs and
walls.

14
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Roof purlin
Ridge Eave strut
Roof System Rigid frame
Gutter column
Rigid frame
Eave height

n
s pa
ar
Cle

CMU wall
Spandrel Ba
y spa
cin End wall frame
Bracing g
End wall column
End wall roof beam
End wall
End wall corner
Sidewall column

Note: The metal building manufacturer may be required to place holes in the steel structural
spandrels, girts, or purlins for purposes of connecting to the concrete masonry walls. It is
recommended that a standardized punching of 9/16 in. (14 mm) diameter holes at 17 in. (432
mm) centers for 1/2-in. (13 mm) masonry anchors be utilized. The masonry engineer may
choose to place the anchors farther apart than 17 in. (432 mm) centers; however, anchors
should not be spaced more than 34 in. (864 mm) as this could affect the lateral stability of the
steel member being connected, especially in the case of a spandrel that needs the anchors to
prevent torsional flexural buckling. For a hot rolled W-shape or I-shaped built-up spandrel
behind a wall as shown in Figure 2.1U, the flange should be punched on two gage lines with
9/16 in. (14 mm) holes for two ½ in. (13 mm) anchors at a 17 in. (432 mm) spacing. Not all
holes must be provided with an anchor; however, anchors are not to exceed 34 in. (864 mm) on
centers. If this standardized hole size or spacing cannot be accommodated by the masonry
engineer, a requirement indicating a change of these dimensions must be inserted into the
purchase order documents for the metal building to alert the metal building manufacturer.

Figure 2.1E—Schematic of Metal Building Clad with


Concrete Masonry Walls

15
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Partial height or wainscot walls are illustrated in Figure 2.1F, 2.1G, 2.1H, 2.1I, 2.1J, and 2.1S.
As shown, these walls span vertically between the foundation and the spandrel at or near the top
of the wall, which in turn, spans horizontally between metal frame columns. The masonry walls
also can be designed as cantilevered assemblies, but significant moments may be induced by
large building drifts and large foundations may be required to prevent overturning.

For walls designed to span vertically, a significant structural steel spandrel consisting of a wide
flange or built-up section as shown in Figures 2.1N through 2.1S will be required to transfer the
out-of-plane load reaction from the wall to the rigid frames. For walls designed to span
horizontally, a cold formed channel or zee section can be used to add strength and stiffness to the
top of the wall.

Although it is not shown, for horizontally spanning masonry walls, grouting of the cells adjacent
at column locations may be needed to accommodate the close spacing of column anchors that
may be necessary for shear transfer.

Spandrels should be placed as high as possible to reduce the masonry span above the beam,
especially on walls with parapets. Depending on the rigid frame configuration used by the metal
building manufacturer, rigid frame connection plates and diagonal stiffeners may restrict the
spandrel location. In some cases, it may be possible to place the spandrel at the top flange of the
rigid frame to reduce the overall height of the parapet. Placing the spandrel above the rigid
frame is difficult and not recommended.

Where it is not possible to place a spandrel high on the wall, additional vertical reinforcement
may be required for the design of the cantilevered portion of masonry above the spandrel.
Vertical reinforcement added into the cantilever portion should extend below the spandrel
elevation by the development length of the bar. The cantilevered height of parapet and wall,
measured from spandrel attachment to the top of the wall or parapet, should not exceed the
vertical span of the wall below the spandrel divided by 3. For cantilevers meeting these
limitations, the resulting loads and stresses induced in the support wall are comparatively small
relative to other controlling design loads.

16
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Sidewall
structural S
L
line

Metal wall
panel

Spandrel
Flashing Building frame-tapered frame shown

Veneer ties Anchor bolts at 34 in.


(864 mm) o.c. max.*
Masonry veneer
Reinforced bond beam
Cavity insulation
1 in. (25 mm) min. air space (2 in.
(51 mm) preferred)
Reinforced
concrete masonry Vertical reinforcement
structural wythe

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1F—CMU Multi-Wythe Wainscot at Side Wall

17
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Metal panel

Rigid frame column

Spandrel

Panel closure

Drip flashing

Anchor bolts at 17 in.


(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
(864 mm) o.c. max. *

Bond beam

Concrete masonry
wainscot wall

Adjustable column anchor at


48 in. (1,219 mm) o.c. unless
otherwise specified

Grout cell at
anchor location

Mesh to confine grout

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1G—CMU Single Wythe Wainscot at Side Wall

18
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Metal panel

Rigid frame column

Spandrel

Panel closure

Drip flashing Angle clip


attached
to column
Anchor bolts at 17 in.
(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
(864 mm) o.c. max. *

Bond beam

Concrete masonry
wainscot wall

Adjustable column anchor at


48 in. (1,219.2 mm) o.c.
unless otherwise specified

Grout cell at
anchor location

Mesh to confine grout

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1H—Alternate CMU Single Wythe Wainscot at Side Wall

19
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Metal panel

Rigid frame column

Panel closure

Drip flashing

Anchor bolts at 17 in.


(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
(864 mm) o.c. max.*

Bond beam

Concrete masonry
wainscot wall

Adjustable column
anchor at 48 in.
(1,219 mm) o.c. unless
otherwise specified

Grout cell at
anchor location

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1I—Alternate CMU Single Wythe Wainscot at Side Wall

20
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

End wall S
L
structural
line

End wall roof beam

Metal wall End wall column


panel
Anchor bolts at 17 in. (432 mm) o.c.,
or 34 in. (864 mm) o.c. max. *
Metal flashing Spandrel

Veneer ties

Masonry veneer Reinforced bond beam

1 in. (25 mm) min. air space (2 in.


(51 mm) preferred)
Reinforced
concrete masonry Vertical reinforcement
structural wythe

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1J—CMU Multi-Wythe Wainscot at End Wall

21
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

End wall
Outside of metal building steel
structural
line
L
S
L

Flashing
Purlin*** (vertical anchor bolt as
Veneer ties shown in Figure 2.1L is acceptable
1 in. (25 mm) min. alternate)
air space (2 in. Ledger angle as required by design**
(51 mm) preferred) Anchor bolt or post installed anchor*
Masonry veneer Reinforced bond beam
Reinforced Vertical reinforcement
concrete masonry Cavity insulation
structural wythe

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

**Note in higher wind or seismic zones, a more substantial member than a steel angle may be
required to transfer out-of-plane loads to the building frame.

***Purlins are typically spaced at 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. The masonry engineer should design the
ledger angle for a 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. spacing of the purlins unless notified otherwise.

Figure 2.1K—Loadbearing Multi-Wythe Masonry End Wall without Parapet

22
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Purlin*

Anchor bolt**
(ledger angle detail
as shown in Figure
2.1K is acceptable
alternate)

Bond beam Reinforced concrete masonry wall

Vertical reinforcement

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

**Purlins are typically spaced at 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. The masonry engineer should design the
connection for 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. spacing unless notified otherwise.

Figure 2.1L—Loadbearing Single Wythe Masonry End Wall without Parapet

23
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Bond beam

Purlin*

Anchor bolt**

Bond beam Bolt

Steel angle as
required by
design** Reinforced concrete masonry wall
(reinforcement not shown for clarity)

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

** Purlins are typically spaced at 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. The masonry engineer should design the
member as spanning 5’-0” (1.52 m) o.c. unless notified otherwise. Note in higher wind or
seismic zones, a more substantial member than a steel angle may be required to transfer out-of-
plane loads to the building frame.

Figure 2.1M—Loadbearing Single Wythe Masonry End Wall with Parapet

24
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Outside of metal building steel


Sidewall
S structural line
L

Metal flashings

Metal flashing
Reinforced bond beam

Insulation

Reinforced bond
beam at spandrel Eave strut
Purlins
Masonry veneer
Spandrel as required
Grout cell at anchor bolt
for brace See spandrel detail,
Figure 2.1U
Veneer ties

1 in. (25 mm) min. air space


(2 in. (51 mm) preferred) Anchor bolts at
17 in. (432 mm)
Reinforced concrete o.c., or 34 in. Rigid frame column
masonry structural wythe (864 mm) o.c.
(reinforcement not shown max*
for clarity)

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1N—Multi-Wythe Masonry Wall with Parapet at High Side Wall


(Single Wythe Masonry is Similar Except Without Veneer)

25
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Anchor as required Outside of metal building steel


Sidewall
S structural line
Wood blocking L

Metal flashing Metal flashing


or liner
Reinforced bond beam

Scupper

Masonry veneer

Veneer ties
Eave strut
Grout cell at anchor Interior drain
bolt for brace Anchor to masonry as
required
Reinforced bond beam
Anchor bolts at 17 in.
at spandrel
(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
1 in. (25 mm) min. air space (864 mm) o.c. max. *
(2 in. (51 mm) preferred) See spandrel detail,
Figure 2.1U
Reinforced concrete
masonry structural wythe Building frame shown
(reinforcement not shown tapered with inset girt
for clarity) condition
Spandrel as required

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1O—Multi-Wythe Masonry Wall with Parapet at Low Side Wall


(Single Wythe Masonry is Similar Except Without Veneer)

26
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Anchor as required Outside of metal building steel


Sidewall
S structural line
Wood blocking L

Metal flashing Metal flashing


or liner
Reinforced bond beam

Scupper

Masonry veneer

Veneer ties
Eave strut
Grout cell at anchor Interior drain
bolt for brace Anchor to masonry as
required
Reinforced bond beam
Anchor bolts at 17 in.
at spandrel
(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
1 in. (25 mm) min. air space (864 mm) o.c. max. *
(2 in. (51 mm) preferred) See spandrel detail,
Figure 2.1U
Reinforced concrete
masonry structural wythe Building frame shown
(reinforcement not shown tapered with inset girt
for clarity) condition
Spandrel as required

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1P—Single Wythe Masonry Wall without Parapet at High Side Wall
(Multi-wythe Similar Except With Veneer)

27
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Rigid frame
Bond beam
Anchor bolts at 17 in.
(432 mm) o.c., or 34 in.
(864 mm) o.c. max. *
Reinforced bond beam
at spandrel
Grout cell at anchor Spandrel
bolt locations
Mesh to confine grout
Reinforced concrete See spandrel detail,
masonry wall Figure 2.1U
(reinforcement not
shown for clarity)

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1Q—Single Wythe Wall without Parapet at Low Side Wall or Eave
(Multi-Wythe Similar Except with Veneer)

28
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Outside of metal
Wood blocking building steel
S
L
Metal flashing
End wall
structural line

Veneer ties

Masonry veneer Purlin


Reinforced bond beam End wall roof beam
at spandrel See spandrel detail,
Figure 2.1U
1 in. (25 mm) min. air
Spandrel
space (2 in. (51 mm)
preferred) Anchor bolts at 17 in. (432
mm) o.c., or 34 in. (864
Reinforced concrete mm) o.c. max. as required*
masonry structural wythe End wall column
(reinforcement not Grout cell at anchor bolt
shown for clarity) for brace

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1R—Multi-Wythe Wall with Parapet at End Wall


(Single Wythe Similar Except without Veneer)

29
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

End wall beam

Metal panel

End wall column

Girt

Bond beam

Anchor bolt (typ.)

Reinforced bond
beam at spandrel Spandrel

Reinforced concrete
masonry wall See spandrel detail,
(reinforcement not shown Figure 2.1U
for clarity)

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for
connection to concrete masonry assemblies.

Figure 2.1S—Single Wythe Wall without Parapet at Gable End Wall


(Multi-Wythe Similar Except with Veneer)

30
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Sidewall Outside of metal building steel


structural S
L
line

Fiber glass insulation Purlin


and vapor retarder

Metal wall
panel

Spandrel*
Metal flashing Building frame shown tapered

Sealant
Window
* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for connection to concrete masonry
assemblies.

Figure 2.1T—Window Head at the top of a Masonry Wall

31
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Concrete masonry wall


A Reinforced bond beam at
Anchor bolt
spandrel. 6 in.(152 mm) min.
grout on all sides of anchor
Spandrel flange which may require a two or more
course high bond beam as shown

Anchor bolt*

21 2 in.
(64 mm) Spandrel
min.
Brace if required by metal building
manufacturer (may be under spandrel
as shown in Figure 2.1R or on top of
spandrel as shown in Figure 2.1P)

Section A-A
Shim plates as required
A
Grout cell at anchor bolt
for brace

* See note to Figure 2.1E for standardized hole size and spacing of structural steel members for connection to concrete masonry
assemblies.

Figure 2.1U—Structural Spandrel for Lateral Load Detail

32
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.2 Bracing Flanges of Structural Steel Elements

Flange braces from the masonry to the inner flange of the spandrel may be necessary for the
torsional stability of the beam. If required by the metal building manufacturer, the size and
spacing of the bracing should be indicated on the metal building drawings similar to Figures
2.1N, 2.1O, 2.1P and 2.1R. If the masonry wall extends above the spandrel, the diagonal brace
should be placed above the spandrel as shown in Figures 2.1O and 2.1P for best appearance and
to minimize potential interference with a finished ceiling.

Flange braces for the inner flange of exterior columns may also be required by the metal building
manufacturer for buckling stability of the column. This may require the approval of the architect
or engineer of record before finalizing the drawings. See Figures 2.2A and 2.2B.

Figures 2.2A through 2.2C show details for vertical control joints and the connection of rigid
frame columns to concrete masonry side walls. These details show a control joint consisting of
sash units and a preformed gasket. Control joints and connection of end wall columns to
concrete masonry end walls are similar. Other typical control joint details are available on line
in NCMA TEK 10-2C Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls – Empirical Method (ref. 13).

Figure 2.2A shows the use of adjustable column anchors to connect the wall to the column. For
walls designed to span vertically, it is good practice to provide a nominal number of anchors
connecting the wall to the column to add stiffness and strength to the edge of the wall. These
anchors can usually assist in laterally bracing the outside column flange if they provide adequate
rigidity. For walls designed to span horizontally, such anchors may be adequate to transfer the
lateral (out-of-plane) load reaction from the wall to the rigid frames. For larger lateral loads,
more substantial connections may be required (see Figures 2.2B and 2.2C).

It should be noted that the requirements for the inside column flange braces shown in Figures
2.2A and 2.2B are usually determined by the metal building manufacturer and are typically
spaced about 8 ft (2.4 m) on center. The metal building manufacturer needs to clearly show on
the drawings where bracing is required, along with the information needed for the masonry
engineer to design the braces and their anchorage to the wall. The inside flange braces also
provide some resistance to temperature and shrinkage movements that should be considered by
the masonry engineer. For some structures it may not be possible to adequately brace the rigid
frame column flanges with the masonry wall while allowing required in-plane wall movements,
particularly if the masonry walls are not designed to resist in-plane shear loads. If the masonry is
designed to resist the in-plane shear, however, the systems will move together and the required
support for the column flanges will be effectively provided. The masonry engineer must balance
these issues on a case-by-case basis to determine the most economical solutions.

Figure 2.2C shows the use of adjustable anchors to connect the wall to the column without
transferring load parallel to the plane of the wall (in-plane). In this case, rigid frame column
flanges would not be braced by the concrete masonry wall.

33
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Rigid frame column


Vertical reinforcement as
required by wall design Inside flange brace as required
by metal building
manufacturer (typ.)

Anchor bolt (typ.)


Shim as required (typ.)

Contol joint Grout cell at anchor


location (typ.)
Sash unit
Preformed gasket Adjustable anchors
Rake joint, fill with sealant
on closed-cell backer rod

Figure 2.2A—Adjustable Anchor Connection to Rigid Frame Column and


Control Joint Detail

34
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Rigid frame column


Vertical reinforcement as
required by wall design Inside flange brace as required
by metal building
manufacturer (typ.)

Anchor bolt Anchor bolt (typ.)


Shim plates Shim as required (typ.)
as required

Contol joint Grout cell at anchor


location (typ.)
Sash unit
Preformed gasket
Rake joint, fill with sealant
on closed-cell backer rod

Figure 2.2B—Bolted Connection to Rigid Frame Column and


Control Joint Detail

Rigid frame column


Vertical reinforcement as (unbraced flange
required by wall design condition shown)

Contol joint Grout cell at anchor


location (typ.)
Sash unit
Preformed gasket Adjustable, flexible
anchors
Rake joint, fill with sealant
on closed-cell backer rod

Figure 2.2C—Adjustable Flexible Anchor Connection to Rigid Frame Column and


Control Joint Detail
35
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.3 Movement Design Considerations


2.3.1 General

There are two types of movement design considerations that must be taken into account by the
masonry engineer when designing the connections of masonry walls with metal buildings:
1. The normal shrinkage associated with concrete products as well as the difference in
thermal movements of the masonry and the metal building components.
2. The much higher deflection limits associated with metal buildings than are normally
allowed for masonry buildings.

Connections and details must be designed to accommodate both shrinkage and temperature
movements. The use of slotted or flexible connections between the steel and masonry may be
employed when support in the direction allowing movement is not required. Control joints are
normally placed at column locations as shown in Figures 2.2A through 2.2C. Efficient use of
masonry materials would therefore require that the bay spacing of the metal buildings be an even
number since even numbers are modular with the 8-in. (203 mm) module of a masonry unit to
avoid cutting of masonry units. Control joints do not need to be on the center of the column for
vertically spanning masonry, however. If a bay spacing that is not modular with the masonry is
selected, the masonry engineer should offset the control joint from the centerline of the column.
The offset amount should be at least 8 in. (203 mm) or greater to avoid interference with the
anchors at the edge of the columns. When column inside flange braces are used as shown in
Figures 2.2A and 2.2B, the control joints should be offset an even greater amount outside the
confines of the braces.

More information on control joints types, locations and spacing to accommodate normal shrinkage
and thermal movements is available on line in Chapter 10 of the TEK Manual (ref. 13):
TEK 10-1 Crack Control in Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 10-2C Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls – Empirical Method
TEK 10-3B Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls – Alternative Engineered
Method
TEK 10-4 Crack Control for Concrete Brick and Other Concrete Masonry
Veneers

The masonry engineer must also be aware of the practices of the metal building industry in order
to maintain the economy of this structural system. Keeping these items in mind, economical
connections can be designed using common materials and practices.

When designing the connections between concrete masonry assemblies to structural steel rigid
frames or infill framing, the following design assumptions must be known:

1. Were the walls designed assuming that out-of-plane bracing is provided by the
structural steel frame?
2. Were the walls designed to span vertically, horizontally or both?

36
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

3. Were the walls designed as shear walls to resist lateral loads in the plane of the wall?
4. What is the reinforcing pattern?
5. What is the design lateral drift (or drift limit) of the rigid frame?
6. Were the rigid frame columns designed assuming that one or both of the flanges will be
laterally braced?
7. If spandrels are used, were the spandrels designed assuming that one or both of the
flanges will be laterally braced?

The connections must be designed considering each of these issues. For concrete masonry, the
steel frame most often is used to provide lateral bracing for the concrete masonry walls. Lateral
support is typically provided at horizontal spandrels or less commonly at the steel columns. To
determine the connection design forces, the span direction of the concrete masonry must be
known. (See Section 2.1 for general rules of thumb regarding the direction of lateral support.) If
the concrete masonry wall was not designed or detailed to act as a shear wall, care must be taken
during the connection design and detailing to avoid the transfer of forces parallel to the plane of
the wall. In this manual, the method chosen for isolating these nonparticipating walls from the
lateral load resisting system is to detail these walls to be discontinuous at the foundation. Other
detailing methods that may be employed include the use of oversized or slotted holes in the steel
or the use of flexible anchors. Note that the latter method is difficult to practically accomplish as
the amount of movement with metal building frames can be substantial as discussed in Section
2.3.3.

2.3.2 Lateral Drift

In Serviceability Design Considerations for Low-Rise Buildings (ref. 5), a lateral drift limit of
H/100 for a ten year recurrence wind loading based on main wind force resisting system loads is
suggested for low rise buildings with exterior masonry walls reinforced vertically. See Table
12.12.1 of ASCE 7 (ref. 4) for the allowable story drift for seismic loading. To control the
location of potential cracks that may result from these large deflections at the top of the wall due
to the relative lateral flexibility of metal building systems a “hinge” can be incorporated at the
base of the masonry assembly to allow out-of-plane rotation. This isolation joint allowing this
type of movement often can be created by the use of through-the-wall flashing at the floor line.

2.3.3 Detailing at the Foundation

The construction details presented in this section provide examples of connections to


accommodate movement and deformation between concrete masonry and metal buildings. The
examples shown in Figures 2.3A through 2.3E are detailed to span vertically. The masonry
engineer should modify these details to span horizontally, if needed. Other details may provide
more appropriate connections for certain wall and building configurations. Project details should
be developed to conform to local construction practices and metal building manufacturers’
recommendations.

Figures 2.3A, 2.3B, 2.3C and 2.3D show details for concrete masonry foundations that can be
applied to either side walls or end walls. Figures 2.3A and 2.3C are to be used for masonry walls

37
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

that are designed to carry in-plane shear loads. Figures 3.2B and 2.3D conversely are applicable
to masonry wall segments that are not designed to resist in-plane loads. A common feature of
these details is the use of flashing as a bond breaking “hinge” to control the location of
horizontal cracks that will likely occur due to the anticipated drift of the rigid frame systems.
For walls that span vertically, this “hinge” is intended to allow the wall to rotate at the same level
that the steel frame rotates.

It is recommended that the number of reinforcing bars extending through these base isolation
joints be minimized to ensure that the joints will act as assumed. This may only require alternate
or fewer foundation dowels be extended through the joints; however, continuous reinforcement
(wall vertical reinforcement spliced with foundation dowels) must be provided in shear wall
segments to resist overturning forces. In the masonry segments that are not designed to resist in-
plane loads, detailing this intersection by extending the foundation dowels only a small distance
into the masonry above the flashing and debonding that portion of the dowels can be used to
provide additional in-plane and out-of-plane sliding resistance while allowing rotation. See
Figures 2.3B and 2.3D.

Weeps should be installed at portions of the wall that provide a drainage path to allow water to
escape from the wall. See TEK 19-2A and TEK 19-5A (ref. 13) for weep requirements.

38
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Rigid frame column Concrete masonry wall

Flashing adhered to Lap splice per design


concrete masonry

"Hairpin" Continuous flashing


reinforcement as
required by design

Foundation dowel-extend past


flashing and lap with vertical
reinforcement in masonry shear
wall segment where required by
design to maintain continuity and
resist in-plane overturning forces

Column footing as
required by design
Wall strip footing
beyond
Footing
reinforcement as
required by design

Figure 2.3A—Vertically Spanning Reinforced Concrete Masonry Side Wall Shear


Wall Segment Detail at Foundation

Note: Detailing for concrete masonry end walls is similar

39
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Rigid frame column Concrete masonry wall

Extend foundation
Flashing adhered to dowel 2 in. (51 mm)
concrete masonry into grouted cell of wall.
Tape bar above flashing
"Hairpin" to reduce bond to grout
reinforcement as
required by design
Mastic seal around
reinforcing bar
Continuous flashing

Column footing as
required by design
Wall strip footing
beyond
Footing reinforcement
as required by design

Figure 2.3B—Vertically Spanning Reinforced Concrete Masonry Side Wall at


Foundation for Other than Shear Wall Segment

Note: Detailing for concrete masonry end walls is similar

40
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Air space
Insulation board
Concrete masonry wall
Rigid frame column Veneer wall ties
Adjustable column anchor Masonry veneer
Lap splice as required by design

Flashing adhered to
concrete masonry
Weep hole beyond
"Hairpin" reinforcement as
required by design Continuous flashing
Solid or solid grouted unit
where required by code

Column footing as
required by design

Wall strip
footing beyond

Footing reinforcement
as required by design

Foundation dowel-extend past flashing and lap with vertical


reinforcement in masonry shear wall segment where required by
design to maintain continuity and resist in-plane overturning forces

Figure 2.3C—Vertically Spanning Reinforced Concrete Masonry Cavity Side Wall


Shear Wall Segment Detail at Foundation

Note: Detailing for concrete masonry end walls is similar

41
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Air space
Concrete masonry wall
Insulation board Masonry veneer
Veneer wall ties
Rigid frame column
Extend foundation dowel 2 in.
Adjustable column anchor (51 mm) into grouted cell of
Lap splice as required by design wall. Tape bar above flashing
to reduce bond to grout
Flashing adhered to Mastic seal around
concrete masonry reinforcing bar
"Hairpin" reinforcement as Weep hole beyond
required by design Continuous flashing
Solid or solid grouted unit
where required by code

Column footing as
required by design

Wall strip
footing beyond

Footing reinforcement
as required by design

Figure 2.3D—Vertically Spanning Reinforced Concrete Masonry Cavity Side Wall


Detail at Foundation for Other than Shear Wall Segment

Note: Detailing for concrete masonry end walls is similar

42
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.3E illustrates an expansion/isolation joint that is used to isolate intersecting masonry
walls so that the metal building can drift as intended. Control joints are also provided at the
column locations. Additional control joints may be required at changes in wall height or
thicknesses, at return angles in “L,” “T,” and “U” shaped structures, near one or both sides of
wall openings, and at intermediate locations between columns.

Control joint
Rigid frame sidewall column

Spandrel or girt
Vertical reinforcing as
required by wall design

Bond beam (beyond) as


required by wall design

Horizontal slotted holes


Corner column
Spandrel or girt
End wall column

Control joint
Isolation joint
Plan View
Figure 2.3E—Plan View Isolation Joint at Masonry Intersections

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.4 Reinforced Concrete Masonry Design Requirements

Plain (unreinforced) concrete masonry is not included in the scope of this manual. This manual
focuses on reinforced concrete masonry walls, often utilized with metal building systems.
Reinforcing steel provides ductility to concrete masonry walls and allows thinner walls to be
built to resist wind and seismic loads.

This section provides guidance for the selection of appropriate wall thicknesses and
reinforcement without the need to perform an extensive structural analysis. Caution should be
used, however, to make sure the conditions specified in the selection tables and text are met at
the job site. Additionally, local building codes should be consulted for specific requirements.

Reinforced concrete masonry walls are increasingly becoming the typical masonry wall type for
metal buildings because the reinforcing steel provides the needed tensile strength to allow the
walls to span significant distances. Reinforced masonry walls are also capable of
accommodating substantial deflections and drifts that may be experienced with metal buildings.
Appropriate design, detailing and construction of the walls and their connections to the metal
buildings are required however in order for the building to function as intended. This section
provides guidelines and design aids to assist the designer in sizing the required reinforcing for
walls and lintels.

Typically masonry walls are designed as simply supported elements between the floor and roof
diaphragms (vertical span) or between the metal building columns (horizontal span). Walls can
also be designed as panels supported on four edges to gain the advantage of two-way bending;
however, two-way bending of masonry panels is not addressed in this publication.

As discussed in Section 2.3, the deformation compatibility between the more flexible metal
building and the stiffer masonry walls must be accommodated in the design. This is typically
accomplished by providing a “hinge” at the base of the masonry wall panel so that the wall can
rotate at the base (see Figures 2.3A through 2.3D). In this manner, the top of the wall translates
with the metal building without causing additional bending stresses at the base of the wall (as
would be expected if the wall was fixed at the base and subjected to a deflection at the top of the
wall). Additionally, perpendicular walls should generally be isolated at corners so that the metal
building frame can deform as designed.

2.4.1 Loads

Masonry walls for metal buildings can be used to resist vertical dead and live loads from the
roof, as well as lateral wind and seismic loads. In many building applications, roof loads are
resisted by the metal building frame and the masonry walls are designed for out-of-plane wind or
seismic forces. Where the masonry walls are designed to be load bearing, the weight of the roof
dead load and live load are often relatively light in comparison to the high wind and seismic
pressures. It is rare, therefore, that the masonry wall design is governed by vertical loads.

44
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Lateral wind and seismic loads vary greatly depending on the location of the building, the
building height and its exposure. Local building codes or Minimum Design Loads for Buildings
and Other Structures (ASCE 7) (ref. 4) can be consulted for additional information on load
determination.

Information on determining seismic design loads is available from both NCMA and MBMA.
See:
TEK 14-12B, Seismic Design Forces on Concrete Masonry Buildings (ref. 13)
TEK 14-18B Seismic Design and Detailing Requirements for Masonry Structures (ref.
13)
2010 Metal Building Systems Manual Supplement (ref. 3)
Serviceability Design Considerations for Steel Buildings, AISC Steel Design Guide #3
(ref. 5).

2.4.2 Design Procedures

Masonry is relatively strong in compression and shear but is weak in tension. Accordingly,
reinforcing steel is incorporated into masonry walls to resist the high tensile stresses that may
develop, particularly in areas of high seismicity and/or high wind loads. Reinforced masonry
structures have significantly higher flexural strength and ductility than unreinforced structures
and provide greater reliability in terms of expected load carrying capacity at failure. Improved
ductility of reinforced masonry is also a function of reinforcement, which continues to elongate
well beyond the design level, allowing deformation beyond design levels without loss of
strength. These deformations allow overloads to be redistributed to other members, thus
improving structural performance when actual loads exceed design load levels.

Two methods of designing reinforced masonry structures are commonly used:


Allowable stress design of masonry (also called the working stress design method) based
on service level loads and proportioning members using conservative allowable stresses
as provided for in Chapter 2 of the TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5 (ref. 1). More
information on allowable stress design of concrete masonry can be found in TEK 14-7B
Allowable Stress Design of Concrete Masonry, TEK 14-5A Loadbearing Concrete
Masonry Wall Design, and TEK 14-19A Allowable Stress Design Tables for Reinforced
Concrete Masonry Walls (ref. 13).
Strength design of masonry is based on a realistic evaluation of member strength
subjected to factored loads, which have a low probability of being exceeded during the
life of the structure. Chapter 3 of the TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5 addresses strength
design procedures of concrete masonry. More information on strength design of concrete
masonry can be found in TEK 14-4B Strength Design Provisions for Concrete Masonry
and TEK 14-11B Strength Design of Tall Concrete Masonry Walls for Axial Load &
Flexure (ref. 13).

This document and the design aides provided are based on allowable stress design (working
stress design). While strength design provides for additional economies in wall sections,
allowable stress design is still the most common design method used today.

45
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Note that special detailing is required for masonry shear walls for seismic loads. See:
TEK 14-18B, Seismic Design and Detailing Requirements for Masonry Structures (ref.
13)
2010 Metal Building Systems Manual Supplement (ref. 3)
Serviceability Design Considerations for Steel Buildings, AISC Steel Design Guide #3
(ref. 5).

2.4.3 Design Aids

Information on properties of concrete masonry walls that are helpful in the design of concrete
masonry is found in TEK 14-1B Section Properties of Concrete Masonry Walls and TEK 14-13B
Concrete Masonry Wall Weights (ref. 13).

The design aids in this manual utilize the allowable stress design with the alternative basic load
combinations of the International Building Code (ref. 2). This option permits allowable stresses
to be increased by one-third for load combinations that include wind or seismic loads. This
results in a minimal economy for combinations involving wind loads as the wind load must be
multiplied by 1.3 ( ) when using the alternative basic load combinations which essentially
negates the one-third stress increase. For earthquake loading however, much greater economy is
achieved as the amount of earthquake load is virtually the same in the load combinations with
and without the one-third stress increase. The factor for earthquake loads for load combinations
without the one-third stress increase is 0.7. Earthquake loads in load combinations with a stress
increase are divided by 1.4. The net result is essentially the same load applied for earthquake in
both cases.

The unfactored reactions for each load type will be provided by the metal building manufacturer
for the masonry engineer to design the masonry panels. Note that a 1/3 stress increase is not
permitted for structural steel design. Only the W wind loads are to be applied to the metal
building steel members, not the factored wind loads W (1.3 W) used for designing the masonry
members incorporating a one-third stress increase. For earthquake loads, however, the same
loads are used for the metal building design as for masonry as pointed out above.

2.4.3.1 Masonry Walls Loaded Out-of-Plane


A wall that is loaded perpendicular to its long plan dimension is considered to be loaded out-of-
plane. The same wall may also serve as a shear wall when loads are applied parallel to its long
dimension. In Figure 2.4A, Wall A, Wall B, Wall C and Wall D are loaded out-of-plane when
wind or other lateral loads are in the north-south direction. Such walls can be designed to span
either horizontally or vertically, depending on how they are supported. When spanning
vertically, lateral support must be provided at the top and bottom of the wall. In metal buildings,
such support is generally provided by a spandrel at the top of the wall that transfers the loads to
the rigid frames for the side walls or columns if located in the end wall. Usually in metal
buildings, masonry walls designed solely for out-of-plane loads have no external axial load and
as such are designed as vertical one-way slabs. If the masonry walls are axially loaded, their
moment capacities are usually increased for the normal range of downward acting axial loads. If
the walls are subjected to direct tension (uplift, which is seldom the case with metal building

46
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

systems) their moment capacities are decreased. Shear walls in the end walls normally take just
the shear load from the end half of the end bay.

Wall A Wall B

Wall C Wall D

Figure 2.4A—Plan View, Metal Building with Masonry Walls

Figures 2.4B, 2.4C, and 2.4D are design aids for out-of-plane flexural capacity of nominal 8-in.
(203 mm) fully grouted or partially grouted concrete masonry walls. The charts are based on
allowable stress design with a 1/3 stress increase for IBC alternative basic load combinations, a
specified compressive strength of masonry f’m of 1500 psi (10.3 MPa), and reinforcement
centered in the wall with a yield stress fy of 60 ksi, (414 MPa). The masonry walls are designed
as simply supported between the floor and at the spandrel at the top. Cantilevers at the top of the
wall do not need additional reinforcement if the height of the wall above the spandrel attachment
(including parapets) does not exceed the vertical span of the wall below the spandrel divided by
3. For cantilevers meeting these limitations, the resulting loads and stresses induced in the
support wall are comparatively small relative to other controlling design loads. Figures 2.4C and
2.4B also include vertical axial downward acting loads which serve to increase the lateral load
carrying capabilities of the wall. These loads include externally applied compressive loads as
well as concrete masonry wall self-weight. Figure 2.4B includes no vertical axial load and
therefore may be used to design horizontally spanning masonry walls as well. All axial loads are
applied at the center of the masonry wall. Where roof uplift is applied to the masonry walls such
as in Figures 2.1K, 2.1L, and 2.1M, the design aids included in this manual may not be used to
design the masonry walls. The Structural Masonry Design System software (ref. 15) does
accommodate designs with tension in masonry walls and is acceptable for use in those cases.

Walls spanning horizontally are supported by steel columns and are generally designed as simply
supported as control joints at the columns break the continuity. When spanning horizontally, the
reinforcement is placed in bond beams usually spaced at 48 in. (1219 mm) or less. In some

47
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

seismic design categories, joint reinforcement placed in mortar joints can be used to provide
horizontal reinforcement.

The shear capacity of walls loaded out-of-plane is almost always sufficient if the wall is adequate
in flexure, especially when using allowable stress design. Nevertheless, the shear capacity should
be checked.

Connections must be provided at the top and bottom of vertically spanning walls. Anchor bolts
are often used in the top of such walls. Because lateral loads can occur in either direction, the
bolts must be designed accordingly. At the bottom of vertically spanning walls, lateral support is
often provided by the concrete footing. Normally in metal building systems, a slab-on-grade
provides lateral support because the foundation wall is generally tied to the slab to resist the
horizontal thrust imparted by the rigid frame columns – See Figures 2.3A, 2.3B, 2.3C, and 2.3D.
If the foundation wall is not tied to the floor slab however, the point of support at the bottom of
the wall should be taken at the footing level. Usually the bottom of a wall loaded out-of-plane is
assumed to have no moment transfer to the footing. To be consistent with this assumption, the
vertical reinforcing bars do not have to be made continuous into the footing for the out-of-plane
loading. Where needed, however, shortened dowels wrapped to prevent bond are often used at
the base of walls loaded out-of-plane to provide shear transfer at the interface of the wall and the
footing as shown in Figures 2.3B and 2.3D.

For horizontally spanning walls, connections to the supporting columns must be provided, again
often using anchor bolts in the masonry. Details for either horizontally or vertically spanning
walls are provided in Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Example 2.4A—Out-of-plane Flexure Design

Wall C in Figure 2.4A is to be designed using the alternative basic load combinations of the 2009
International Building Code (ref. 2) for out-of-plane flexure. The wall is modeled as a vertically
spanning, simply-supported element designed to resist a lateral wind pressure of 20 psf (0.96
kPa) (before application of the = 1.3 factor). No axial load is applied to the wall.

The distance between lateral supports (support at the bottom and the spandrel at the top) is 16 ft-
0 in. (4.9 m) and the wall extends 2 ft above the spandrel for a total height of 18 ft (5.5 m).
Material properties include:
Nominal 8 in. (203 mm) concrete masonry units complying with ASTM C90;
Type S masonry cement mortar;
Specified masonry compressive strength, f’m = 1500 psi (10.3 MPa); and
Specified yield strength of reinforcement, fy = 60,000 psi (414 MPa).

Increasing the wind pressure by 1.3 as required by the IBC when using the alternative basic load
combinations, the design wind pressure for this example is:
W = (1.3)(20 psf) = 26 psf (1.24 kPa)

From Figure 2.4B for a 16 ft-0 in. (4.9 m) span subjected to a 26 psf (1.24 kPa) wind pressure,
the minimum required area of reinforcement is approximately 0.10 in.2/ft (0.21 mm2/m).

48
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

From Table 2.4A, the following reinforcement options provide an area of reinforcement equal to
or greater than 0.10 in.2/ft (0.21 mm2/m):
No.4 bars at 24 in. (M#13 at 610 mm);
No.5 bars at 32 in. (M#16 at 813 mm);
No. 6 bars at 48 in. (M#19 at 1,219 mm); or
No. 7 bars at 72 in. (M#22 at 1,829 mm).

In the above example the self-weight of the masonry wall was conservatively neglected. If,
however, the weight of the wall was considered in the design, some design economy may result.
Assuming that the installed weight of the wall is estimated at 50 psf (244 kg/m2), the axial
compressive load mid-way between the lines of lateral support (location of critical design
stresses) is:
16 ft
P 2 ft 50 lb 2 500 plf (7.29 kN/m)
2 ft

However, the IBC alternative basic load combinations permits the use of only two-thirds of the
minimum dead load likely to be in place during a design wind event when it counteracts the
effects of the wind loads. Therefore Figure 2.4C (which includes a design axial load of 500 plf
(7.29 kN/m)) cannot be used. Note that when the software is used (ref. 15) the dead load is
considered because it is designing for the exact condition. See Example C2.4A in Appendix C.

The out-of-plane shear force resulting from the design wind pressure is:
(1.3)(20lb 2 )(16 ft )
Wl ft
V 208 lb/ft (3,036 N/m)
2 2

Given that the vertical reinforcement is centered in the masonry wall (d = 3.81 in. (96.8 mm)),
the shear stress resulting from the out-of-plane wind loading is:
V 208 lb / ft
fv 4.55 psi (31.4 kPa)
bd (12 in.)(3.81 in.)

In accordance with Chapter 2 of Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ref. 1), the
allowable shear stress, increased by one-third for use with the alternative basic load
combinations of the IBC, is:
Fv 4 f 4 1,500 psi 51.6 psi (356 kPa)
3 m 3

Hence, the allowable shear stress (Fv) is considerably larger than the applied shear stress (fv) and
the shear design is satisfied. Most masonry walls that have been designed adequately for out-of-
plane flexure have more than adequate strength for out-of-plane shear.

49
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.4B—Out-of-Plane Flexural Capacity of a Simply Supported 8-inch Concrete Masonry Wall
with No Axial Load
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

50
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.4C—Out-of-Plane Flexural Capacity, Simply Supported 8-in. (203 mm) Concrete Masonry Wall
with 500 plf (7.3 kN/m) Axial Load
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

51
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.4D—Out-of-Plane Flexural Capacity, Simply Supported 8-in. (203 mm) Concrete Masonry Wall
with 1000 plf (14.6 kN/m) Axial Load
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

52
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Table 2.4A—Distributed Area of Steel Provided, in2/ft


(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)
Bar area/size
Bar spacing, in. 0.20 in2 0.31 in2 0.44 in2 0.60 in2
No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7
8 0.300 0.465 0.660 0.900
16 0.150 0.233 0.330 0.450
24 0.100 0.155 0.220 0.300
32 0.075 0.116 0.165 0.225
40 0.060 0.093 0.132 0.180
48 0.050 0.078 0.110 0.150
56 0.043 0.066 0.094 0.129
64 0.038 0.058 0.083 0.113
72 0.033 0.052 0.073 0.100
80 0.030 0.047 0.066 0.090
88 0.027 0.042 0.060 0.082
96 0.025 0.039 0.055 0.075
104 0.023 0.036 0.051 0.069
112 0.021 0.033 0.047 0.064
120 0.020 0.031 0.044 0.060

2.4.3.2 Masonry Walls Loaded In-Plane (Shear Walls)


A shear wall is a wall that is loaded parallel to its long plan dimension. Masonry shear walls are
very strong and stiff because of this orientation and are often used to resist lateral loads,
especially perpendicular to the rigid frames of the metal building (side walls). In the plan view
(Figure 2.4A) of a metal building, Wall A, Wall B, Wall C and Wall D are potential shear walls
that can be used to resist lateral loads in the east-west direction. The actual portions of the shear
walls that are capable of resisting the shear are the shear wall segments. Shear wall segments are
the portions of wall that are uninterrupted from the support at the bottom to the support at the top
(spandrel) except for minor penetrations such as utility penetrations. Minor penetrations through
masonry shear wall segments designed in accordance with this guide are permitted provided that
they do not exceed 6 in. (152 mm) in any dimension at the face of the wall and do not interrupt
any reinforcement required by the design aids. In addition, the cumulative area of penetrations
are not to exceed 144 in.2 (0.093 m2) in any 10 ft2 (0.93 m2) of wall surface area. Shear wall
segments must be at least 4 ft (1.2 m) tall when using the design aids in this manual.

Because the lateral load resisting systems of metal building systems are considered flexible, the
lateral loads are distributed to the shear wall segments according to tributary area. The spandrel
is designed by the metal building engineer to act as the drag strut within a bay (between
columns) to distribute the loads to the shear wall segment. In addition, if the in-plane shear
loading from one bay is to be resisted by a shear wall segment in another bay, the transfer of load
from one bay to the next will be accommodated through the spandrel designed as a drag strut by
the metal building engineer. In this case bond beam reinforcement should not be continuous
across control joints. If the transfer of loads will not be through the spandrel, the masonry

53
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

engineer needs to be notified and instructed to design the bond beam in the masonry wall to
transfer the accumulated loads. In such cases, the bond beam reinforcement should be
continuous through the control joints for the entire tributary length for which the shear wall
segment is providing in-plane resistance. The masonry designer should keep in mind the
differences in thermal movements between the spandrel and the masonry bond beam and not link
together too many consecutive bond beams across control joints. The spandrel also will act as a
stiffener providing lateral support for the sections of the bond beam that are in compression,
thereby increasing buckling resistance. To minimize torsional irregularities and evenly distribute
lateral loads, it is advisable to place shear wall segments at each corner and in each plan direction
of a building.

The shear wall segments also must be constructed on a footing that is designed to resist the
resulting forces. Usually it is necessary to lap-splice vertical bars in the shear wall segments with
hooked bars placed in the footing to provide continuity of force in the bars. The design
procedures in this manual are based on all of the vertical reinforcement in a shear wall segment
contributing to the shear wall overturning resistance. One bar of the size indicated is located in
the end cell at each end of the shear wall segment and the rest are uniformly distributed between
them at the determined spacing. Therefore all vertical bars in a shear wall segment must be lap-
spliced with foundation dowel bars. The lap splice length can be determined using Table 2.4B.
If the masonry engineer cannot demonstrate that the stress in the reinforcement is less than 0.8Fs,
the lap-splice curve used should be the one for stress greater than 0.8Fs. For vertical
reinforcement within the middle 2/3 of the shear wall segment, the stress can reasonably be
assumed to be less than 0.8Fs and the reduced lap-splice may be used for those bars however.
Prescriptive seismic reinforcement should be lap spliced to the foundation at the greater than
0.8Fs lap-splice length. Wall sections that are not designed as shear wall segments are not to be
continuous with the foundation dowels and must be structurally isolated from the lateral force-
resisting system as shown in Figures 2.3B and 2.3D. Wall segments not structurally isolated as
shown in those figures must contain the minimum prescriptive seismic detailing.

Example 2.4B—In-Plane Shear Design

Wall C in Figure 2.4A is to be designed using the alternative basic load combinations of the 2009
International Building Code (ref. 2) for in-plane shear. The wall is to be designed to resist an in-
plane shear force of 6,000 lb (27 kN) in the E-W direction as a result of wind loading. No
external axial load is applied to the wall. The wall segment spans 16 ft-0 in. (4.9 m) in the
vertical direction between supports (see Figure 2.4E). Material properties include:
Nominal 8 in. (203 mm) concrete masonry units complying with ASTM C90;
Type S masonry cement mortar;
Specified masonry compressive strength, f’m = 1500 psi (10.3 MPa); and
Specified yield strength of reinforcement, fy = 60,000 psi (420 MPa).

The IBC alternative basic load combinations permit a one-third increase in allowable stresses to
resist loads that include wind or earthquake. However, loads due to wind must be increased by a
factor of 1.3 ( = 1.3) and for load combinations that include the counteracting effects of dead
and wind loads, only two-thirds of the minimum dead load likely to be in place during a design
wind event can be used.

54
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Therefore the design shear force due to wind is increased by a factor of 1.3 ( = 1.3):

2 ft (0.61 m)
V = (1.3)(6,000 lb) = 7,800 lb (35 kN)
6 k (27 kN)
Assuming this shear wall segment will be partially
grouted resulting in an installed weight of 50 psf
(244 kg/m2), Figure 2.4F can be used to determine
the required spacing of the vertical reinforcement
based on the following non-dimensionalized
values:
P M
and 16 ft (4.9 m)
fm t l fm t l 2
Where:
P = (2/3)(50 psf)(18 ft)(8 ft) = 4800 lb (21 kN) –
using only 2/3 of the dead load.
M = (7,800 lb)(16 ft) = 124,800 ft-lb (169 kN-m)
f’m = (4/3)(1,500 psi) = 2,000 psi (13.8 MPa) –
increased by one-third
t = 7.625 in. (194 mm)
l = 96 in. (2,438 mm)
8 ft (2.4 m)
Hence:
P 4800lb Figure 2.4E—Shear Wall
0.0033 Design Example
f m t l (2000 psi)(7.625in.)(96in.)
M (124800 ft lb)(12in. / ft )
2
0.0107
fm t l (2000 psi)(7.625in.)(96in.) 2

From Figure 2.4F, visually interpolating between the two contours corresponding to a
reinforcement ratio ( ) equal to 0.1% and 0.2%, estimate = 0.0015. The required area of
reinforcement is:
As = (0.0015)(7.625 in.)(12 in./ft) = 0.137 in2/ft (0.29 mm2/mm).
From Table 2.4A, select No. 6 bars at 32 in. (M#19 at 813 mm) on center. Because the end cell
at each end of the shear wall segment is required to contain the reinforcement determined by this
manual, the remaining vertical reinforcing bars are spaced at a maximum distance of 32 in. (813
mm) for a total of four No. 6 (M#19) vertical reinforcing bars.

Taking d as the total wall length minus the 4 in. (102 mm) cover at the end of the wall, the shear
stress on this wall is:
V 7800 lb
fv 11.1 psi (76.5 kPa)
bd (7.625 in.)(92 in.)

55
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

In accordance with Chapter 2 of Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ref. 1), the
allowable shear stress, increased by one-third for use with the alternative basic load
combinations of the IBC, is determined as follows assuming no shear reinforcement is provided:
1 M
Fv 4 4 fm
3 3 Vd
Where:
M (124800lb ft )(12in. / ft )
2.1 , however, the value of M/Vd need not be taken greater
Vd (7800lb)(92in.)
than 1.0. Hence, the equation for Fv reduces to:
Fv 4 f 4 1500 51.6 psi (356 kPa)
3 m 3
The maximum permitted allowable shear stress is 35 psi (241 kPa) before application of the one-
third stress increase. Hence, Fv is taken equal to (35 psi)(4/3) = 46.7 psi (322 kPa), which is
significantly greater than the applied shear stress f v of 11.1 psi (76.5 kPa). If applied shear
stress was greater than the allowable, shear reinforcement would need to be provided to increase
the strength of the shear wall segment.

Note that for partially grouted construction, the non-dimensionalized interaction diagram (Figure
2.4F) is not theoretically correct due to some simplifying assumptions; although for low axial
loads, it is very close. Software distributed by NCMA (ref. 15) can be used to design this wall
using partially grouted construction where more accuracy is desired. The solid grouted non-
dimensionalized diagram in Figure 2.4G is theoretically correct, however.

56
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Nondimensionalized Interaction Diagram


f' m = 1500 psi; f y = 60 ksi; l = wall length, in; t = wall thickness, in.
ASD with 1/3 stress increase for IBC Alternative Basic Load Combinations
0.06
Reinforcement ratio, = A s /bd
0.055
0.05% 0.10% 0.20%
0.05
0.30% 0.40%
0.045
0.04
0.035
P/(f'mtl)

0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04
M /(f' m t l 2 )

Figure 2.4F—Shear Wall Interaction Diagram for Partially Grouted 8-in. (203 mm) Concrete Masonry
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

57
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Nondimensionalized Interaction Diagram


f' m = 1500 psi; f y = 60 ksi; l = wall length, in.; t = wall thickness, in.
ASD with 1/3 stress increase for IBC Alternative Basic Load Combinations
0.06
Reinforcement ratio, = A s /bd
0.055
0.05% 0.10% 0.20%
0.05
0.30% 0.40%
0.045
0.04
0.035
P/(f'mtl)

0.03
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04
M/(f' m t l 2 )

Figure 2.4G—Shear Wall Interaction Diagram for Solid Grouted 8-in. (203 mm) Concrete Masonry
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.4.3.3 Lap-splice Design


To maintain structural continuity and load paths, the vertical reinforcement of shear walls must
be spliced to the foundation dowels. The foundation dowels in turn are embedded into the
supporting footing, developed or hooked as necessary. See TEK 12-6 Splices, Development and
Standard Hooks for Concrete Masonry (ref. 13). Minimum lap-splice lengths can be determined
using Table 2.4B.

The lap-splice lengths for the No. 6 (M#19) vertical reinforcing bars in the end cells of the shear
wall segment from the previous example would need to be a minimum of 54 in. (1,372 mm)
because the full allowable design stress in the reinforcement was used. In cases where the tensile
stress in the reinforcement does not exceed 0.8Fs, such as the center two bars which are in the
middle 2/3 of the segment, the lap splice length can be reduced to 36 in. (914 mm). Likewise,
the lap-splice length could be reduced if smaller diameter vertical reinforcing bars had been
used.
3
Table 2.4B—2009 IBC Allowable Stress Design Lap Splice Lengths (ref. 2)

Bar size Minimum lap splice Minimum lap splice


length1, in. (mm) length2, in. (mm)
No. 4 (M#13) 20 (508) 36 (914)
No. 5 (M#16) 25 (635) 45 (1,143)
No. 6 (M#19) 30 (762) 54 (1,372)
Notes:
1. Based on the stresses in the reinforcing steel fs being limited to 80% of the allowable
reinforcement tensile stress (Fs = 24,000 psi (165 MPa) for Grade 60 reinforcement). Lap
splice length not to be less than 12 in. (305 mm) or 40db. Minimum lap lengths may be
smaller in cases where fs < 0.8Fs.
2. Based on the stresses in the steel fs taken equal to 100% of the allowable
reinforcement tensile stress of 24,000 psi (165 MPa) for Grade 60 reinforcement. Lap
splice length not to be less than 12 in. (305 mm) or 40db.
3. See TEK 12-6 (ref. 13) for more information on splice lengths. (2009 IBC splice
length requirements are the same as 2006 IBC).

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.4.3.4 Lintel Design

Openings in masonry walls must be spanned by beams called lintels. Usually the bottom course
of masonry above the lintel is built with a “U-shaped” block (referred to as a lintel block or solid
bottom bond beam block) that permits inclusion of horizontal reinforcing bars. The most
efficient use of an open bottom bond beam block is to turn it upside down to obtain a larger
effective depth d, particularly when architectural units are used. In this case the reinforcing steel
must be tied up to provide the required amount of cover at the bottom. The shoring to support
the lintel during construction is used as a removable grout stop to confine the grout.

The masonry must be fully grouted throughout the depth of the lintel. The effective depth, d, of
the lintel is equal to the distance from the top of the grout to the centroid of the tension steel bars
in the bottom course as shown in Figure 2.4H. If the wall is load-bearing, the lintel must carry
superimposed loads in addition to its own weight. Otherwise, it must carry only its own weight
and that of the masonry above it. The minimum required bearing length by the MSJC Code (ref.
1) is 4 in. (102 mm); however, half the length of one masonry unit (8 in.) (203 mm) is normally
used for bearing to maintain continuity. A bearing length of (8 in.) (203 mm) is taken into
account in the lintel design charts so that the actual clear span is reflected in Figures 2.4I through
2.4L. Therefore the code requirement for the span to be considered as center of bearing to center
of bearing is already incorporated. More information on design of lintels for concrete masonry is
found in TEK 17-1C Allowable Stress Design of Concrete Masonry Lintels and TEK 17-2A
Precast Lintels for Concrete Masonry Construction (ref. 13).

Lintel

A
h
d h
A
Bearing
length x
(typ) b
Section A - A
ln

Figure 2.4H—Lintel Nomenclature

Figures 2.4I through 2.4L are design aids that assist in the design of masonry lintels. These
figures are limited to wall thicknesses of 8 in. (203 mm) only. The design basis is Allowable
Stress Design. The figures show the allowable superimposed load for clear spans (ln in the
illustration above) ranging from 4 ft. to 16 ft (1.2 to 4.9 m). The lintel is assumed to act as a
simply supported beam with tension steel near the bottom. The critical section for bending
always occurs at midspan. The shear capacity is based on the code provision that allows the

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

maximum shear to be considered at a distance d/2 from the face of the support. For short spans,
the shear capacity may control and has been taken into account in the tables so a separate check
for shear is not required. The loads plotted in the figures have already been reduced by the lintel
weight, therefore the load shown on the graphs is the allowable superimposed load.
Additionally, the loads in these designs are gravity loads not wind or seismic. Therefore, these
tables do not include a one-third stress increase.

Example 2.4C—Lintel Design

Design a lintel to support the dead load of the wall above it only. The clear span is 15 ft – 4 in.
(4.7 m). The height of masonry above the opening is 4 ft – 0 in. (1.2 m) and the bearing length is
8 in. (203 mm) at each end. ). Material properties include:
Nominal 8 in. (203 mm) concrete masonry units complying with ASTM C90;
Type S masonry cement mortar;
Specified masonry compressive strength, f’m = 1500 psi (10.3 MPa); and
Specified yield strength of reinforcement, fy = 60,000 psi (420 MPa).

Assume a two course lintel depth, so the height of masonry above the lintel is:
48 in. – 16 in. = 32 in. = 2.67 ft (0.814 m).

The masonry above the lintel is ungrouted, so its weight is 36 psf (176 kN/m2) (from TEK 14-
13B ref. 13).

The superimposed load is therefore (2.67 ft) (36 psf) = 96 plf (1400 N/m).

Because the design charts already include the lintel weight, enter Figure 2.4J on the x axis at
15.33 ft (4.67 m) and on the y-axis at 96 plf (1400 N/m). The result is 1 - No. 5 (M#16) bar with
a cover x = 2 in. or 3 in. (51 or 76 mm) over the longitudinal reinforcing steel (see Figure 2.4H).
Note that the highest load capacity for any bar selection for this span is around 160 plf (2334
N/m). If the superimposed load had been higher than 160 plf (2334 N/m) more courses would be
required.

Also consider that a bond beam is normally placed at the top of the wall and at the location of a
spandrel above the lintel. It generally is more economical to grout all the courses between a
bond beam and the lintel rather than place grout stops to confine the grout particularly when
grout for only three additional courses are involved, such as the case in this example. In so
doing, the lintel in this case would be 4 ft (1.2 m) tall; however, the tallest lintel in the design
aids in this manual is only 32 in. (813 mm) (Figure 2.4L). This could still be designed as a 32 in
(813 mm) lintel supporting 16 in. (406 mm) of solid grouted masonry. From TEK 14-13B (ref.
13) the weight of fully grouted normal weight masonry is 84 lbs/ft2 (411 kg/m2).

Total supported weight is:


(84 psf)(16 in / 12 in./ft) = 112 plf (1635 N/m).

From Figure 2.4L, 1 - No. 4 (M#13) bar with x = 2 in. or 3 in. (51 or 76 mm) will work.
Alternatively, the NCMA wall software (ref. 15) could be used to design this lintel.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

650.0

600.0 Lintel Allowable Uniform Load vs. Clear Span


550.0 Allowable Stress Design 8 in. Wide 1 Course Deep
f' m = 1500 psi f r = 120 psi f y = 60,000 psi
Allowable Superimposed Uniform Load, lb/ft
500.0

450.0 1- #6 @ 2" cover

400.0 1- #6 @ 3" cover

350.0 1- #5 @ 2" cover


300.0 1- #5 @ 3" cover
250.0
1- #4 @ 2" cover
200.0
1- #4 @ 3" cover
150.0

100.0

50.0

0.0
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Lintel Clear Span, ft

Figure 2.4I—Capacity of 8 x 8 in. (203 x 203 mm) Lintel


(See Appendix D for Metric Conversion)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2800

2600 Lintel Allowable Uniform Load vs. Clear Span


Allowable Stress Design 8 in. Wide 2 Courses Deep
2400 f' m = 1500 psi f r = 120 psi f y = 60,000 psi
Allowable Superimposed Uniform Load, lb/ft
2200
1- #6 @ 2" cover
2000
1- #6 @ 3" cover
1800
1- #5 @ 2" cover
1600
1- #5 @ 3" cover
1400
1- #4 @ 2" cover
1200
1- #4 @ 3" cover
1000

800

600

400

200

0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Clear Span, ft

Figure 2.4J—Capacity of 8 x 16 in. (203 x 406 mm) Lintel


(See Appendix D for Metric Conversion)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

6000

5500 Lintel Allowable Uniform Load vs. Clear Span


Allowable Stress Design 8 in. Wide 3 Courses Deep
5000 f' m = 1500 psi f r = 120 psi f y = 60,000 psi
Allowable Superimposed Uniform Load, lb/ft
4500
1- #6 @ 2" cover
4000
1- #6 @ 3" cover
3500
1- #5 @ 2" cover
3000 1- #5 @ 3" cover

2500 1- #4 @ 2" cover

1- #4 @ 3" cover
2000

1500

1000

500

0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Clear Span, ft

Figure 2.4K—Capacity of 8 x 24 in. (203 x 610 mm) Lintel


(See Appendix D for Metric Conversion)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

9000

Lintel Allowable Uniform Load vs. Clear Span


8000 Allowable Stress Design 8 in. Wide 4 Courses Deep
f' m = 1500 psi f r = 120 psi f y = 60,000 psi
Allowable Superimposed Uniform Load, lb/ft 7000
1- #6 @ 2" cover
6000
1- #6 @ 3" cover
1- #5 @ 2" cover
5000
1- #5 @ 3" cover

4000 1- #4 @ 2" cover


1- #4 @ 3" cover
3000

2000

1000

0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Clear Span, ft

Figure 2.4L—Capacity of 8 x 32 in. (203 x 813 mm) Lintel


(See Appendix D for Metric Conversion)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

2.3.4.5 Shear Wall Connections

The connections between masonry shear walls and their supporting elements are critical to the
satisfactory performance of the building to ensure the transfer and distribution of loads. To use
the design aids in this section (Figures 2.4Q and 2.4R), wind loads determined by ASCE 7 (ref.
4) are multiplied by 1.3 and earthquake loads are divided by 1.4 per the IBC alternative basic
load combinations. More information on anchor bolts can be found in TEK 12-3B Design of
Anchor Bolts Embedded in Concrete Masonry (ref. 13).

Example 2.4D—Anchor Bolt Design

The connection at the top of the shear wall shown in Figure 2.4E is to be designed for a 6,000 lb
(26.7 kN) in-plane shear force and a 20 psf (1.0 kPa) out-of-plane wind pressure as illustrated in
Figure 2.4M. The bond beam to which the spandrel is anchored is continuous for the full length
of the 30 ft (9.1 mm) bay spacing.

As previously discussed, the default standard is to pre-punch ½ in. (13 mm) holes in the spandrel
at a spacing of 17 in. (432 mm) and a gauge separation of 2.5 in. (64 mm) as shown in Figure
2.1U. To minimize the potential for spandrel buckling, the maximum spacing of the anchors
should not exceed 34 in. (864 mm); indicating that every other set of bolt holes would contain at
least one anchor.

Consider using one ½ in. (13 mm) headed anchor bolt at the maximum spacing of 34 in. (864
mm) and an embedment of 5.5 in. (140 mm). Over the 30 ft (9.1 m) bay this would provide 10
bolts. Note that if 2 bolts were provided within 2-½ in. (64 mm) of each other (two bolts spaced
at 17 or 32 in. (432 or 864 mm) on center), the spheres of influence will intersect and individual
anchor bolt capacities will be reduced as discussed later in the section.

The shear force applied to each bolt is calculated as:


Shear force per bolt = 1.3 x 6000 lbs / 10 bolts = 780 lbs/bolt (3.47 kN/bolt)

The tension force applied to each bolt (assuming the spandrel supported the top half of the 16 ft
(4.9 m) vertical span plus the two foot section above the spandrel) is calculated as:
16 ft 34 in.
Tension force per bolt = (1.3)( 20 psf ) 2 ft = 737 lbs/bolt (3.28 kN/bolt)
2 12 in. / ft

From Figure 2.4N, for an applied shear load of 780 lbs/bolt, the maximum allowable tensile load
per bolt is approximately 1,800 lbs (8.0 kN), which is significantly larger than the applied
tension load of 737 lbs/bolt (3.28 kN/bolt). Hence the proposed anchorage design is sufficient
provided that a minimum edge distance for each headed anchor is 5.5 in. (140 mm) or greater.
Alternatively, if bent-bar anchors were selected, Figure 2.4O would be used instead. Note that
the capacity of bent-bar anchors is less than headed anchors; however, in this case they would
work at the same spacing and embedment. For both types of anchors the location of the anchor
should be alternated between the top and bottom holes of the flange to provide torsional
resistance for the spandrel.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

In cases where anchor bolts are spaced closely together, the projected breakout areas under
tension or shear load that overlap must be reduced proportionally; and as a result, anchor strength
is reduced proportionally. Additional guidance on determining overlapping breakout areas is
provided in TEK 12-3B, Design of Anchor Bolts Embedded in Concrete Masonry (ref. 13).

Anchors @ 34 in. (864 mm) o.c.


(alternate between top and bottom)
A

20 psf (0.96 kPa) wind load


6 k (26.7 kN shear) 2 ft
(0.61 m)

16 ft
(4.9 m)
Section A-A
A

Figure 2.4M—Shear Wall Connection for Example 2.4D

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.4N—Anchor Bolt Shear and Tension Capacities for ½ in. (13 mm) Headed Anchor Bolt in an 8-in. (203
mm) CMU - f’m = 1500 psi (10.3 MPa), fy = 60 ksi (414 MPa); ASD with 1/3 Stress Increase for IBC Alternative Basic
Load Combinations
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure 2.4O—Anchor Bolt Shear and Tension Capacities for ½ in. (13 mm) Bent-Bar Bolt in an 8 in. (203 mm) CMU
f’m = 1500 psi (10.3 MPa), fy = 60 ksi (414 MPa); ASD with 1/3 Stress Increase for IBC Alternative Basic Load
Combinations
(See Appendix D for Metric Conversions)

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Chapter 3
Construction

3.0 General

Typically, construction of metal buildings with concrete masonry walls proceeds as follows:
1. Concrete footing placement.
2. Concrete masonry foundation wall construction to grade.
3. Concrete slab placement.
4. Steel erection.
5. Concrete masonry wall construction.

It may be advantageous to vary from this sequence to meet the needs of a particular project. For
example, one exception to this construction sequence is the case of loadbearing end walls, where
erection of the steel supported by the masonry will occur after the masonry wall is in place.

Coordination between the various trades is vital in order for the construction process to proceed
efficiently. Preconstruction conferences are an excellent means for the various contractors and
subcontractors to coordinate construction scheduling and to avoid conflicts and unforeseen
delays.

3.1 Foundation Construction

Possibly the most important part of any structure is the foundation or footing system which
transfers loads from the building into the supporting soil. When properly built and sized,
footings will span areas of weak soil so that settlement and excessive cracking is avoided.

For masonry walls, footings are typically strip concrete or solid masonry footings. These
footings must be located beneath the frost level to prevent damage and heaving caused by
freezing of water in the soil.

Footings should be placed on undisturbed native soil, unless this soil is unsuitable, weak or soft.
Unsuitable soil should be removed and replaced with compacted soil, gravel or concrete.
Similarly, tree roots, construction debris and ice should be removed prior to placing the footings.

Footings must be carefully aligned so that the concrete masonry wall will be near the center of
the footing. The top of the footing must also be relatively level and true to facilitate the
construction of the concrete masonry walls. Note that although the top surface of concrete
footings should be placed relatively level, it should generally not be troweled smooth. Instead,
slightly roughened footing surfaces contribute to the bond between the mortar and the concrete.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Footings should generally be at least as deep as the wall thickness and roughly twice as wide as
the wall thickness. A minimum of two No. 4 (M# 13) bars should be used to help avoid cracking
and differential settlement. Larger or more heavily reinforced footings may be required on weak
soil or to carry heavy loads.

Concrete for footings should have a minimum specified strength of 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa).
Adding excessive water to the concrete mix in the field should be avoided because the strength
of the concrete can be significantly decreased.

3.2 Concrete Masonry Construction

Concrete masonry construction is straightforward, while allowing masonry walls to be


constructed in a variety of ways using different techniques, materials and methods. The figures
in sections 2.1 through 2.3 show typical construction details for reinforced concrete masonry
walls for metal buildings. Explanatory notes are also provided regarding specific items relating
to typical wall construction. Masonry construction should comply with the requirements of
Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 602/ACI 530.1/ASCE 6) (ref. 6).

Prior to laying the first course of masonry, the top of the footing must be cleaned of mud, dirt,
ice or other materials which can reduce the bond between the mortar and the footing. This can
usually be accomplished using brushes or brooms, although excessive oil or dirt may require
cleaning solutions or sand blasting of the concrete surface.

Masons typically lay the corners of the wall first so that alignment is easily maintained. This
also allows the mason to plan where openings are necessary for windows and doors or to fit the
building’s plan. Note that the most economical and best use of the material is to make masonry
openings modular (multiples of 8 in. (203 mm)) in size and location from corners and each other
to minimize cutting of units and waste. See NCMA TEK 5-12 Modular Layout of Concrete
Masonry (ref. 13) for more information on this topic.

To make up for surface irregularities in the footing, the first course of masonry is set on a
varying thickness mortar bed joint which can range from 1/4 to 3/4 in. (6 to 19 mm) in thickness.
This initial bed joint should be a full bed mortar joint. Mortar should not excessively protrude
into cells that are to be grouted.

All other mortar joints should be 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick with a code allowed tolerance of ±⅛ in. (3
mm) and face shell mortar bedding. In partially grouted construction, webs adjacent to the
grouted cells are mortared to restrict grout from flowing into ungrouted areas. Head joints must
be filled solidly for a thickness equal to the face shell thickness of the units.

In general, tooled concave joints are recommended because they provide the greatest resistance
to water penetration and the timing for the tooling should be delayed until the mortar is
thumbprint hard. This provides some resistance to the tooling so that the mortar is compressed
against the surrounding masonry units forming a tighter seal. Type S mortar is typically used for
reinforced masonry wall construction particularly in high wind areas. Type N is an acceptable

72
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

alternate as it has better workability and lower shrinkage potential, but lower plain masonry
flexural strength and durability. Type M mortar is seldom needed or used. Although it provides
high compressive strengths, Type M mortar also has a higher shrinkage potential. Type M is
usually stiffer mortar and tends to be difficult to use. Type O mortar is not appropriate for most
structural applications.

For more information on mortar, grout, masonry manufacturing standards, terms, construction
and inspection, see the following NCMA TEK (ref. 13) available free on line on sponsoring
member web sites:
TEK 1-1E ASTM Specifications for Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 1-4 Glossary of Concrete Masonry Terms
TEK 3-1C All-Weather Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 3-2A Grouting Concrete Masonry Walls
TEK 3-6B Concrete Masonry Veneers
TEK 3-8A Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 5-1B Concrete Masonry Veneer Details
TEK 5-2A Clay & Concrete Masonry Banding Details
TEK 5-3A Concrete Masonry Foundation Wall Details
TEK 5-6A Concrete Masonry Curtain and Panel Wall Details
TEK 5-7A Floor and Roof Connections to CM Walls
TEK 5-8B Detailing Concrete Masonry Fire Walls
TEK 5-9A Concrete Masonry Corner Details
TEK 5-10AConcrete Masonry Radial Walls
TEK 5-12 Modular Layout of Concrete Masonry
TEK 5-13 Rolling Door Details for Concrete Masonry Construction
TEK 5-14 Concrete Masonry Hurricane and Tornado Shelters
TEK 5-15 Details for Half-High Concrete Masonry Units
TEK 5-16 Aesthetic Design with Concrete Masonry
TEK 9-1A Mortars for Concrete Masonry
TEK 9-2B Self-Consolidating Grout for Concrete Masonry
TEK 9-3A Plaster and Stucco for Concrete Masonry
TEK 9-4A Grout for Concrete Masonry
TEK 18-3B Concrete Masonry Inspection
TEK 18-5A Masonry Mortar Testing
TEK18-6 Structural Testing of Concrete Masonry Assemblages
TEK 18-8B Grout Quality Assurance

3.3 Construction Details

Details of the connection between horizontal steel girts and concrete masonry walls are
illustrated in the figures in Chapter 2. Shim plates should be used at connections between the
girt and masonry to allow for camber in the girt and other construction tolerances. The steel girt
should never be pulled to the masonry wall by tightening the anchor bolts.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

APPENDIX A
Notations
As = effective cross-sectional area of reinforcement, in.2 (mm2)
b = width of section, in. (mm)
ba = axial force on anchor bolt, lb (N)
bv = shear force on anchor bolt, lb (N)
D = dead load
d = distance from the extreme compression fiber to the centroid of the tension reinforcement, in.
(mm)
db = nominal diameter of anchor bolt, in. (mm)
eb = projected leg extension of bent bar anchor, measured from inside edge of anchor at bend to
farthest point of anchor in the plane of the hook, in. (mm)
f'm = specified compressive strength of masonry, psi (MPa)
fr = modulus of rupture, psi (MPa)
Fs = allowable tensile or compressive stress in reinforcement, psi (MPa)
fs = calculated tensile or compressive stress in reinforcement, psi (MPa)
Fv = allowable shear stress, psi (MPa)
fv = calculated shear stress, psi (MPa)
fy = specified yield strength of reinforcement, psi (MPa)
h = effective height of masonry element, in. (mm)
lb = effective embedment length of anchor bolts, in. (mm)
lbe = anchor bolt edge distance, measured in direction of load, from edge of masonry to center of
the cross section of anchor bolt, in. (mm)
l = length of shear segment, in. (mm)
ln = lintel clear span, ft (m)
M = maximum calculated bending moment at section under consideration, lb-in., (N-mm)
P = applied axial load, lb (N)
t = thickness of masonry element, in. (mm)
V = applied shear force, lb (N)
W = wind load
ρ = reinforcement ratio
= coefficient to be applied to wind loads determined by Chapter 6 of ASCE 7 when using IBC
alternative basic load combinations

Definitions

Aggregate: An inert granular or powdered material such as natural sand, manufactured sand,
gravel, crushed stone, slag, fines and lightweight aggregate, which, when bound together by a
cementitious matrix forms concrete, grout or mortar.
Anchor: Metal rod, tie, bolt or strap used to secure masonry to other elements. May be cast,
adhered, expanded or fastened into masonry.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Anchor bolts: Bolts set in concrete or masonry, used to anchor structural members to the
foundation or wall.
Axial load: The load exerted on a wall or other structural element and acting parallel to the
element’s axis. Axial loads typically act in a vertical direction, but may be otherwise
depending on the type and orientation of the element.
Bay: The space between frame center lines or primary supporting members in the longitudinal
direction of the building. Also called stanchion spacing.
Bay-end: The distance between the centerline of the first interior frame to the inside of the end
wall panel.
Bay-interior: The distance from centerline to centerline of two interior columns.
Beam: A structural member, typically horizontal, designed to primarily resist flexure.
Block: A solid or hollow unit larger than brick-sized units. (See also “Concrete block, concrete
masonry unit, masonry unit”)
Bond: (1) The arrangement of units to provide strength, stability or a unique visual effect created
by laying units in a prescribed pattern. See reference 6 for illustrations and descriptions of
common masonry bond patterns. (2) The physical adhesive or mechanical binding between
masonry units, mortar, grout and reinforcement. (3) To connect wythes or masonry units.
Bond beam: (1) The grouted course or courses of masonry units reinforced with longitudinal
bars and designed to take the longitudinal flexural and tensile forces that may be induced in a
masonry wall. (2) A horizontal grouted element within masonry in which reinforcement is
embedded.
Bond beam block: A hollow unit with depressed webs or with "knock-out" webs (which are
removed prior to placement) to accommodate horizontal reinforcement and grout.
Bond breaker: A material used to prevent adhesion between two surfaces.
Bond, running: The placement of masonry units such that head joints in successive courses are
horizontally offset at least one-quarter the unit length. Centering head joints over the unit
below, called center or half bond, is the most common form of running bond. A horizontal
offset between head joints in successive courses of one-third and one-quarter the unit length is
called third bond and quarter bond, respectively.
"C" Section: A member cold-formed from steel coil in the shape of a "C", used primarily in
bearing frame end walls and framed openings.
Cantilever: A member structurally supported at only one end through a fixed connection. The
opposite end has no structural support.
Cavity: A continuous air space between wythes of masonry or between masonry and its backup
system. Typically greater than 2 in. (51 mm) in thickness.
Cell: The hollow space within a concrete masonry unit formed by the face shells and webs. Also
called core.
Column: (1) In structures, a relatively long, slender structural compression member such as a
post, pillar, or strut. Usually vertical, a column supports loads that act primarily in the direction
of its longitudinal axis. (2) In masonry, for the purposes of design, an isolated vertical member
whose horizontal dimension measured at right angles to the thickness does not exceed 3 times
its thickness and whose height is greater than 4 times its thickness.
Component: A part used in a Metal Building System.
Compressive strength of masonry: Maximum compressive force resisted per unit of net cross-
sectional area of masonry, determined by testing masonry prisms or as a function of individual

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

masonry units, mortar and grout in accordance with ref. 6. (See also “Specified compressive
strength of masonry.”)
Concrete: A composite material that consists of a water reactive binding medium, water and
aggregate (usually a combination of fine aggregate and coarse aggregate) with or without
admixtures. In portland cement concrete, the binder is a mixture of portland cement, water and
may contain admixtures.
Concrete block: A hollow or solid concrete masonry unit. Larger in size than a concrete brick.
Concrete masonry unit: Hollow or solid masonry unit, manufactured using low frequency, high
amplitude vibration to consolidate concrete of stiff or extremely dry consistency.
Connector: A mechanical device for securing two or more pieces, parts or members together;
includes anchors, wall ties and fasteners. May be either structural or nonstructural.
Connector, tie: A metal device used to join wythes of masonry in a multi-wythe wall or to
attach a masonry veneer to its backing.
Control joint: A continuous unbonded masonry joint that is formed, sawed or tooled in a
masonry structure to regulate the location and amount of cracking and separation resulting
from dimensional changes of different parts of the structure, thereby avoiding the development
of high stresses.
Coping: The materials or masonry units used to form the finished top of a wall, pier, chimney or
pilaster to protect the masonry below from water penetration.
Core: (See “Cell.”)
Course: A horizontal layer of masonry units in a wall or, much less commonly, curved over an
arch.
Crack control: Methods used to control the extent, size and location of cracking in masonry
including reinforcing steel, control joints and dimensional stability of masonry materials.
Curing: (1) The maintenance of proper conditions of moisture and temperature during initial set
to develop a required strength and reduce shrinkage in products containing portland cement.
(2) The initial time period during which cementitious materials gain strength.
Diaphragm: A roof or floor system designed to transmit lateral forces to shear walls or other
lateral load resisting elements.
Dimension, actual: The measured size of a concrete masonry unit or assemblage.
Dimension, nominal: The specified dimension plus an allowance for mortar joints, typically 3/8
in. (9.5 mm). Nominal dimensions are usually stated in whole numbers. Width (thickness) is
given first, followed by height and then length.
Dowel: A metal reinforcing bar used to connect masonry to masonry or to concrete.
Drag strut: a structural member that transfers axial loads between shear resisting elements.
Bond beams, top plates, joists, girders, and truss chords may be used as drag struts, provided
connections at each end of the drag strut are capable of transferring loads.
Drip: A groove or slot cut beneath and slightly behind the forward edge of a projecting unit or
element, such as a sill, lintel or coping, to cause rainwater to drip off and prevent it from
penetrating the wall.
Drying shrinkage: The change in linear dimension of a concrete masonry wall or unit due to
drying.
End wall: exterior wall of a building perpendicular to the roof ridge and parallel to the rigid
frame bents of a metal building.
Face: (1) The surface of a wall or masonry unit. (2) The surface of a unit designed to be
exposed in the finished masonry.

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Face shell: The outer wall of a hollow concrete masonry unit.


Face shell mortar bedding: Hollow masonry unit construction where mortar is applied only to
the horizontal surface of the unit face shells and the head joints to a depth equal to the
thickness of the face shell. No mortar is applied to the unit cross webs. (See also “Full mortar
bedding.”)
Fastener: A device used to attach components to masonry, typically nonstructural in nature.
Fire resistance: A rating assigned to walls indicating the length of time a wall performs as a
barrier to the passage of flame, hot gases and heat when subjected to a standardized fire and
hose stream test. For masonry, fire resistance is most often determined based on the masonry’s
equivalent thickness and aggregate type.
Flange: The projecting edge of a structural member.
Flange brace: A brace from flange of column or spandrel to a girt, purlin, or masonry wall to
provide lateral support and stability.
Flashing: A thin impervious material placed in mortar joints and through air spaces in masonry
to prevent water penetration and to facilitate water drainage.
Footing: A structural element that transmits loads directly to the soil.
Full mortar bedding: Masonry construction where mortar is applied to the entire horizontal
surface of the masonry unit and the head joints to a depth equal to the thickness of the face
shell. (See also “Face shell mortar bedding.”)
Gauge/Gage: (1) In metal products, a number designating a specific thickness of metal sheet, or
diameter of wire, cable or fastener shank tabulated in a standardized series, each of which
represents a decimal fraction of an inch (or millimeter). (2) Distance in inches (or millimeters)
between adjacent lines of holes or fasteners.
Girt: A horizontal structural member that is attached to side wall or end wall columns and
supports paneling.
Grout: (1) A plastic mixture of cementitious materials, aggregates, water, with or without
admixtures initially produced to pouring consistency without segregation of the constituents
during placement. (2) The hardened equivalent of such mixtures.
Grout, self-consolidating: Highly fluid and stable grout used in high lift and low lift grouting
that does not require consolidation or reconsolidation.
Grouted masonry: (1) Masonry construction of hollow units where hollow cells are filled with
grout, or multi-wythe construction in which the space between wythes is solidly filled with
grout. (2) Masonry construction using solid masonry units where the interior joints and voids
are filled with grout.
Grouting, high lift: The technique of grouting masonry in lifts for the full height of the wall.
Grouting, low lift: The technique of grouting as the wall is constructed, usually to scaffold or
bond beam height, but not greater than 4 to 6 ft (1,219 to 1,829 mm),
Haunch: Also Knee. The deepened portion of a column or rafter, designed to accommodate the
high stress where column and rafter intersect and connect.
Hair-Pin: Reinforcing bar used to help transfer anchor bolt shear (due to column thrust) to
concrete floor mass. The "U" shaped hair-pin wraps around the anchor bolts inside the slab.
Height of wall: (1) The vertical distance from the foundation wall or other similar intermediate
support to the top of the wall. (2) The vertical distance between intermediate supports.
Hollow masonry unit: A unit whose net cross-sectional area in any plane parallel to the bearing
surface is less than 75 % of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.

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Hook: Reinforcing steel which terminates in a bend, normally 90 degrees plus an extension of at
least 12 bar diameters, to increase reinforcement development capability.
Intermediate Bay: A distance between two main frames within a building, other than end
frames.
Joint: The surface at which two members join or abut. If they are held together by mortar, the
mortar-filled volume is the joint.
Joint reinforcement: Steel wires placed in mortar bed joints (over the face shells in hollow
masonry). Multi-wire joint reinforcement assemblies have cross wires welded between the
longitudinal wires at regular intervals.
Lap: (1) The distance two bars overlap when forming a splice. (2) The distance one masonry
unit extends over another.
Lap splice: The connection between reinforcing steel generated by overlapping the ends of the
reinforcement.
Lateral support: The means of bracing structural members in the horizontal span by columns,
buttresses, pilasters or cross walls, or in the vertical span by beams, spandrels, floors,
foundations, or roofs.
Lintel: A beam placed or constructed over a wall opening to carry the superimposed load.
Lintel block: A U-shaped masonry unit, placed with the open side up to accommodate
horizontal reinforcement and grout to form a continuous beam. Also called a solid bottom bond
beam unit.
Loadbearing: (See “Wall, loadbearing.”)
Main or primary framing: Steel frames which support secondary framing members such as
girts, purlins or eave struts.
Masonry: An assemblage of masonry units, joined with mortar, grout or other accepted
methods.
Metal Building System: An integrated set of components and assemblies, including but not
limited to frames that are built-up structural steel members, secondary members that are cold
formed steel or steel joists and cladding components, specifically designed to support and
transfer loads and provide a complete or partial building shell. These components and assemblies
are manufactured in a manner that permits plant and or field inspection prior to assembly or
erection.
Metric: The Systeme Internationale (SI), the standard international system of measurement.
Hard metric refers to products or materials manufactured to metric-specified dimensions. Soft
metric refers to products or materials manufactured to English specified dimensions, then
converted into metric dimensions.
Modular coordination: The designation of masonry units, door and window frames, and other
construction components that fit together during construction without customization.
Modular design: Construction with standardized units or dimensions for flexibility and variety
in use.
Mortar: (1) A mixture of cementitious materials, fine aggregate water, with or without
admixtures, used to construct unit masonry assemblages. (2) The hardened equivalent of such
mixtures.
Mortar bed: A horizontal layer of mortar used to seat a masonry unit.
Mortar joint, bed: The horizontal layer of mortar between masonry units.
Mortar joint, head: The vertical mortar joint placed between masonry units within the wythe.

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Mortar joint profile: The finished shape of the exposed portion of the mortar joint. Common
profiles include:
Concave: Produced with a rounded jointer, this is the standard mortar joint unless otherwise
specified. Recommended for exterior walls because it easily sheds water.
Raked: A joint where 1/4 to 1/2 in. (6.4 to 13 mm) is removed from the outside of the joint.
Struck: An approximately flush joint.
Nonloadbearing: (See “Wall, nonloadbearing.”)
Panel: In a building, (1) a portion of a surface flush with or recessed from, or sunk below the
surrounding area, sometimes set off by distinct molding or other decorative measure. (2) a
usually flat and rectangular piece of construction material made to form part of a surface.
Pier: An isolated column of masonry or a bearing wall not bonded at the sides to associated
masonry. For design, a vertical member whose horizontal dimension measured at right angles
to its thickness is not less than three times its thickness nor greater than six times its thickness
and whose height is less than five times its length.
Plain masonry: (See “Unreinforced masonry.”)
Plaster: (See "Stucco.")
Project specifications: The written documents that specify project requirements in accordance
with the service parameters and other specific criteria established by the owner or owner’s
agent.
Purlin: A horizontal structural member that supports roof covering.
Quality assurance: The administrative and procedural requirements established by the contract
documents and by code to assure that constructed masonry is in compliance with the contract
documents.
Reinforced masonry: (1) Masonry containing reinforcement in the mortar joints or grouted
cores used to resist stresses. (2) Unit masonry in which reinforcement is embedded in such a
manner that the component materials act together to resist applied forces.
Reinforcing steel: Steel embedded in masonry in such a manner that the two materials act
together to resist forces.
Rigid frame: A clear span structure, characterized by tapered columns, tapered haunches and
rafter beams.
Sash block: A block specially formed for the jamb of windows or doors, generally with a
vertical slot to receive window frames, etc.
Shear wall segment: portion of a shear wall between openings extending between horizontal
diaphragms and/or spandrels that can be considered to resist in-plane shear.
Shrinkage: The decrease in volume due to moisture loss, decrease in temperature or carbonation
of a cementitious material.
Side wall: an exterior wall of a building parallel to the roof ridge and perpendicular to the rigid
frame bents of a metal building.
Simply supported: A member structurally supported at top and bottom or both sides through a
pin-type connection, which assumes no moment transfer.
Spandrel: A horizontal structural beam or girt that spans between two or more supports to resist
vertical and or horizontal loads. In metal buildings, a common application is to support the
lateral loads at the top of a concrete masonry wall.
Specified compressive strength of masonry, f'm: Minimum masonry compressive strength
required by contract documents, upon which the project design is based (expressed in terms of
force per unit of net cross-sectional area).

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Stirrup: Shear reinforcement in a flexural member.


Structural Steel Members: Load carrying members, may be hot rolled sections, cold formed
shapes, or built-up shapes.
Stucco: A combination of cement and aggregate mixed with a suitable amount of water to form a
plastic mixture that will adhere to a surface and preserve the texture imposed on it.
Thermal movement: Dimension change due to temperature change.
Tie: (See “Connector, tie.”)
Tolerance: The specified allowance in variation from a specified size, location, or placement.
Tooling: Compressing and shaping the face of a mortar joint with a tool other than a trowel. See
"Mortar joint profile" for definitions of common joints.
Unreinforced masonry: Masonry in which the tensile resistance of the masonry is taken into
consideration and the resistance of reinforcement, if present, is neglected. Also called plain
masonry.
Veneer, adhered: Masonry veneer secured to and supported by the backing through adhesion.
Veneer, anchored: Masonry veneer secured to and supported laterally by the backing through
anchors and supported vertically by the foundation or other structural elements.
Veneer, masonry: A masonry wythe that provides the finish of a wall system and transfers out-
of-plane loads directly to a backing, but is not considered to add load resisting capacity to the
wall system.
Wainscot: Wall material, used in the lower portion of a wall, that is different than the material in
the rest of the wall.
Wall, bonded: A masonry wall in which two or more wythes are bonded to act as a composite
structural unit.
Wall, cavity: A multi-wythe noncomposite masonry wall with a continuous air space within the
wall (with or without insulation), which is tied together with metal ties.
Wall, curtain: (1) A nonloadbearing wall between columns or piers. (2) A nonloadbearing
exterior wall vertically supported only at its base, or having bearing support at prescribed
vertical intervals. (3) An exterior nonloadbearing wall in skeleton frame construction. Such
walls may be anchored to columns, spandrel beams or floors, but not necessarily built between
columns.
Wall, foundation: A wall below the floor nearest grade serving as a support for a wall, pier,
column or other structural part of a building and in turn supported by a footing.
Wall, loadbearing: Wall that supports vertical load in addition to its own weight. By code, a
wall carrying vertical loads greater than 200 lb/ft (2.9 kN/m) in addition to its own weight.
Wall, multi-wythe: Wall composed of 2 or more masonry wythes.
Wall, nonloadbearing: A wall that supports no vertical load other than its own weight. By
code, a wall carrying vertical loads less than 200 lb/ft (2.9 kN/m) in addition to its own weight.
Wall, panel: (1) An exterior nonloadbearing wall in skeleton frame construction, wholly
supported at each story. (2) A nonloadbearing exterior masonry wall having bearing support at
each story.
Wall, partition: An interior wall without structural function.
Wall, reinforced: (1) A masonry wall reinforced with steel embedded so that the two materials
act together in resisting forces. (2) A wall containing reinforcement used to resist shear and
tensile stresses.
Wall, shear: A wall, bearing or nonbearing, designed to resist lateral forces acting in the plane
of the wall.

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Wall, single wythe: A wall of one masonry unit thickness.


Wall tie: A metal connector that connects wythes of masonry.
Wall tie, veneer: A wall tie used to connect a facing veneer to the backing.
Web: The portion of a hollow concrete masonry unit connecting the face shells.
Weep: An opening left (or cut) in mortar joints or masonry face shells to allow moisture to exit
the wall. Usually located immediately above flashing.
Workability: The ability of mortar or grout to be easily placed and spread.
Wythe: Each continuous vertical section of a wall, one masonry unit in thickness.

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APPENDIX B
References

1. Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, TMS 402-08/ACI 530-08/ASCE 5-


08. Reported by the Masonry Standards Joint Committee, 2008.
2. International Building Code, 2009 Edition. International Code Council, 2009.
3. Metal Building Systems Manual Supplement, Metal Building Manufacturers Association,
2010.
4. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, American Society for Civil
Engineers, 2005.
5. Serviceability Design Considerations for Steel Buildings, AISC Steel Design Guide #3.
American Institute of Steel Construction, 2003.
6. Specification for Masonry Structures, TMS 602-08/ACI 531-08/ASCE 6-08. Reported by
the Masonry Standards Joint Committee, 2008.
7. Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates, ASTM C33/C33M. ASTM
International, 2008.
8. Standard Specification for Grout for Masonry, ASTM C476. ASTM International, 2010.
9. Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units, ASTM
C331. ASTM International, 2005.
10. Standard Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry, ASTM C270. ASTM International,
2010.
11. Standard Specification for Perlite Loose Fill Insulation, ASTM C549. ASTM
International, 2006.
12. Standard Specification for Vermiculite Loose Fill Thermal Insulation, ASTM C516.
ASTM International, 2008.
13. TEK Manual for Concrete Masonry Design and Construction. National Concrete
Masonry Association, 2010.
1-1E ASTM Specifications for Concrete Masonry Units (2007)
1-4 Glossary of Concrete Masonry Terms (2004)
2-1A Typical Sizes and Shapes of Concrete Masonry Units (2002)
2-2 Considerations for Using Specialty Concrete Masonry Units (7-2010)
2-3A Architectural Concrete Masonry Units (2001)
3-1C All-Weather Concrete Masonry Construction (2002)
3-2A Grouting Concrete Masonry Walls (2005)
3-6B Concrete Masonry Veneers (2005)
3-8A Concrete Masonry Construction (2001)
4-1A Productivity and Modular Coordination in Concrete Masonry Construction
(2002)
4-2A Estimating Concrete Masonry Materials (2004)
5-1B Concrete Masonry Veneer Details (2003)
5-2A Clay & Concrete Masonry Banding Details (2002)
5-3A Concrete Masonry Foundation Wall Details (2003)
5-6A Concrete Masonry Curtain and Panel Wall Details (2001)
5-7A Floor and Roof Connections to Concrete Masonry Walls (2001)
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5-8B Detailing Concrete Masonry Fire Walls (2005)


5-9A Concrete Masonry Corner Details (2004)
5-10A Concrete Masonry Radial Walls (2006)
5-12 Modular Layout of Concrete Masonry (2004)
5-13 Rolling Door Details for Concrete Masonry Construction (2007)
5-14 Concrete Masonry Hurricane and Tornado Shelters (2008)
5-15 Details for Half-High Concrete Masonry Units (2008)
5-16 Aesthetic Design with Concrete Masonry
6-1B R-Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (2009)
6-2B R-Values and U-Values for Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (2009)
6-3 Shifting Peak Energy Loads With Concrete Masonry Construction (1991)
6-4A Energy Code Compliance Using COMCheck (2007)
6-5A Passive Solar Design Strategies (2006)
6-10A Concrete Masonry Radiant Heating/Cooling Systems (2006)
6-11A Insulating Concrete Masonry Walls (6-2010)
6-12C International Energy Conservation Code and Concrete Masonry (2007)
7-1C Fire Resistance Ratings of Concrete Masonry Assemblies (2009)
7-5A Evaluating Fire-Exposed Concrete Masonry Walls (2006)
7-6A Steel Column Fire Protection (2009)
8-1A Maintenance of Concrete Masonry Walls (2004)
9-1A Mortars for Concrete Masonry (2004)
9-2B Self-Consolidating Grout for Concrete Masonry (2007)
9-3A Plaster and Stucco for Concrete Masonry (2002)
9-4A Grout for Concrete Masonry (2005)
10-1A Crack Control in Concrete Masonry Walls (2005)
10-2C Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls - Empirical Method (2010)
10-3 Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls - Alternative Engineered Method
(2003)
10-4 Crack Control for Concrete Brick and other Concrete Masonry Veneers (2001)
12-3B Design of Anchor Bolts Embedded in Concrete Masonry (2009)
12-6 Splices, Development and Standard Hooks for Concrete Masonry (2007)
13-1B Sound Transmission Class Ratings for Concrete Masonry Walls (2008)
13-2A Noise Control with Concrete Masonry (2007)
13-3A Concrete Masonry Highway Sound Barriers (1999)
13-4 Outside-Inside Transmission Class of CM Walls (2008)
14-1B Section Properties of Concrete Masonry Walls (2007)
14-4B Strength Design Provisions for Concrete Masonry (2008)
14-5A Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Wall Design (2006)
14-6 Concrete Masonry Bond Patterns (2004)
14-7B Allowable Stress Design of Concrete Masonry (2009)
14-11B Strength Design of Tall Concrete Masonry Walls for Axial Load & Flexure (2003)
14-12B Seismic Design Forces on Concrete Masonry Buildings (2005)
14-13B Concrete Masonry Wall Weights (2008)
14-17A Software for the Structural Design of Concrete Masonry (2010)
14-18B Seismic Design and Detailing Requirements for Masonry Structures (2009)
14-19A Allowable Stress Design Tables for Reinforced CM Walls (2005)

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14-21 Blast and Bullet Resistant Concrete Masonry Buildings (1998)


17-1C Allowable Stress Design of Concrete Masonry Lintels (2009)
17-2A Precast Lintels for Concrete Masonry Construction (2000)
18-3B Concrete Masonry Inspection (2006)
18-5A Masonry Mortar Testing (2005)
18-6 Structural Testing of CM Assemblages (1997)
18-8B Grout Quality Assurance (2005)
19-1 Water Repellents for Concrete Masonry Walls (2005)
19-2A Design for Dry Single-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (2004)
19-3A Preventing Water Penetration in Below-Grade CM Walls (2001)
19-4A Flashing Strategies for Concrete Masonry Walls (2003)
19-5A Flashing Details for Concrete Masonry Walls (2004)
19-6 Joint Sealants for Concrete Masonry Walls (2008)
19-7 Characteristics of CMU with Integral Water Repellent (2008)
14. Concrete Masonry Designs. National Concrete Masonry Association, bi-monthly.
15. Structural Masonry Design System Software. National Concrete Masonry Association,
Western States Clay Products Association, The Brick Industry Association, and the
International Code Council, 2010.
16. Energy Design Guide for Metal Building Systems. Metal Building Manufacturers
Association, 2010.
17. Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems. Metal Building
Manufacturers Association, 2010.

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APPENDIX C
Design Examples Using Structural Masonry Design System
Software

This section addresses the capabilities of Version 5.0 of Structural Masonry Design System
software (ref. 15) in regard to designing the walls and shear segments for metal building systems.
Additional information regarding the software can be found in TEK 14-17A Software for the
Structural Design of Concrete Masonry (ref. 13). Following are several design examples
demonstrating how the wall sections designed using the design aids within this manual can be
designed using the wall software.

Example C2.4A Out-of Plane Flexure Design Using NCMA Structural Design Software –
Using version 5.0 of the software, select “Design” from the menu at the top, then “Design
Basis”, then “Design Codes”, then “2009 IBC Code”, then “ASD with Alternative Basic Load
Combinations”. Select the “Concrete Masonry” tab, and use all of the default values (f’m = 1500
psi). Under the “Reinforcement” tab, use the default “Grade 60 steel”. For unit size, use the
default values. Click “OK” and the design basis information will be displayed.

Now select “Design” from the pull down menu at the top again and this time select “Wall Design
(out-of-plane loads)” or the icon with the same name and a new screen will appear with the
“Design Data” tab on the top. Select “Compute using load data”, “Reinforced Masonry Wall”,
“Interaction Diagram” and “Grout Spacing” (for “Family”). Use default values for other entries.

Select the “Construction Data” tab, enter H = 16 ft 0 in., select “Partial grout, running bond”, and
for “Reinforcement and grout spacing” leave the default of 8 in.

Under the “Load Data” tab, click the “Wind” tab and enter “20” psf for both “w1” and “w2”, the
others all leave zero. “h2” should be automatically filled in as “192” in. as the height of the wall
from the 16 ft entered on the Construction Data tab above. If it isn’t, go ahead and add it in.
Also under the “Dead” tab enter for “P”, “100” lbs/ft for the 2 ft of masonry extended above the
spandrel. For “e” leave the default as “0”.

Select “OK” and observe the interaction diagrams for No. 4 bars at various spacings. The largest
spacing of reinforcement that works is 24 in. Hence, one solution would be No. 4 bars @ 24 in.
However, a more economical choice might be a larger bar at a larger spacing.

Try No. 5 bars and view the interaction diagram. This is done by again selecting “Design” from
the menu at the top and select “Edit Design” on the screen that appears. Change the
reinforcement on the “Design Data” tab from #4 to #5. Then click “OK”. It appears that a 40 in.
spacing will work. Go back and click on “Design” from the menu at the top and select “Edit
Design” on the screen that appears. The “Design Data” tab will be on top of the new screen that
appears as described above. Select “None” under “Display results/Family”. Then go to the
“Construction Data” tab and select “40 in. on center” under “Reinforcement and grout spacing”

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and click OK which will bring up a new interaction diagram with the new values. The wall
appears to work because all loading “dots” fall inside the contour (see Figure C.1).

Now to see the design calculations, go back and select “Design” from the menu at the top and
select “Edit Design” on the screen that appears. On the “Design Data” tab and under Display
Results”, select “Design Calculations”, click “OK” and notice that the wall does, in fact, work
(See Figure C.2). The design is now complete. Note No. 5 bars @ 48 in. appears to fall right on
the line on the interaction diagram but when displaying the design calculations, it indicates that it
is just short, so No. 5s @ 48 in. does not work. The interaction diagram is preliminary only and
for final results the design calculations should be used for the official results. Similarly, No. 6
bars @ 64 in. will also work as will No. 7 bars @ 80 in.

Notice that increasing the amount of grout to a solid grouted wall does very little to increase the
capacity. The reason is that the compression area of the masonry falls within the face shell in
this case so there is no difference in the way the wall behaves – the masonry compression is
entirely within the face shell in both cases. The only difference is that the solid grouted wall
weighs more and therefore has more axial compressive force at the critical section thereby giving
it a slightly higher flexural capacity. The amount, however; is seldom enough to warrant the
expense of the additional grout.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.1—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Out-of-Plane Interaction Diagram
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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.2—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Design Calculations p. 1

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.2 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Design Calculations p. 2

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.2 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Design Calculations p. 3

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Example C2.4B Shear Wall Design Using Masonry Structural Design System
Software – Using version 5.0 of the software, select “Design” from the menu at the top, then
“Design Basis”, then “Design Code”, then “2009 IBC Code”, then “ASD with Alternative Basic
Load Combinations”. Select the “Concrete Masonry” tab, and use all of the default values (f’m =
1500 psi). Under the “Reinforcement” tab, use the default “Grade 60 steel”. For unit size, use
the default values. Click “OK” and the design basis information will be displayed.

Now select “Design” from the pull down menu at the top again and this time select “Wall Design
(in-plane loads)” or the icon with the same name and a new input screen with the “Design Data”
tab will appear on the top. Select “Compute Loads”, “Reinforced Masonry Wall”, “Normal
Shear Wall” (i.e. not a special or intermediate reinforced shear wall), and “Interaction Diagram”.
Use default values for other entries.

Select the Construction Data tab enter H = 16 ft - 0 in., L = 8 ft - 0 in, “Partial grout, running
bond”, and for “Reinforcement and grout spacing” use the default of “8 in on center”. Under the
“Reinforcement” tab, do not use an end-zone (enter “0” cells) and select No. 3 bars (default) in
the middle zone. Under the “Load Data” tab, add the weight of the 2 ft of masonry above the
shear wall under the “Dead” tab determined as follows: (2 ft x 8 ft x 50 psf)/ 1000 lbs/kip = 0.8
kips). Click on the “Wind” tab and enter V = 6 k. The shear force is not increased by the factor
of 1.3 because the software does this internally. All other values are zero.

Click “OK” and a message indicates the wall is not adequate. Click “OK” on the pop-up screen
and the interaction diagram will appear with four dots falling outside the interaction diagram.
Use the “Edit data” icon and return to the “Reinforcement” tab, and increase the “Middle zone”
bar size to No. 6. Click on the “Construction Data” tab and for “Reinforcement and grout
spacing” select “32 in. on center” (this would be four No. 6 bars in the 8 ft long wall). Click
“OK”, and observe that the interaction diagram shows a design stronger than is needed. At this
point the bar size can be reduced or the spacing increased. Go back to “Edit data”, select the
“Construction data” tab and increase the bar spacing to 48 in. (three bars in the 8 ft long wall)
and select “OK”. This also works. If you select any bar spacing from 48 to 80 in., notice that the
interaction diagram does not change. The reason for that is that in all cases between 48 to 80 in.,
three bars are needed in the 8 ft wall section in order not to exceed the reinforcement spacing
listed. Because the applied load dots fall inside the interaction diagram (barely), the wall is OK
(see Figure C.3).

Return to the “Design Data” tab and under “Display results” select “Design Calculations”, leave
the default “Section with critical flexural force” and click “OK”. Observe that the input data is
what is intended. Note that the moment capacity (1497.6 k-in.) exceeds the design moment for
the controlling case (1631.65 k-in.) for the design axial load (see highlight in Figure C.4). The
design is OK for combined flexure and axial load.

Now return to the “Design Data” tab and select “section with critical shear force.” Click “OK”
and observe that fv = 0.0111 ksi and Fv = 0.04667 ksi for no shear reinforcement (See highlight
in Figure C.5). Hence the design is adequate for shear without shear reinforcement. If a No. 6
bar is used, then maximum spacing of 48 inches (three vertical bars) is required for this section.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Note: a smaller bar diameter may be preferable to facilitate easier handling by the mason
contractor. If a No. 5 bar is used, then a maximum spacing of 24 in. is required for the section (5
vertical bars).

Also note that in Example 2.4B using the design charts of this manual resulted in 1 more No. 6
bar required for the partially grouted 8 ft shear wall segment. The reason for this is that the
design charts are more conservative and encompass a range of conditions while the software
design is for the exact condition.

The software permits the design of fully grouted walls with little added effort. Return to the
“Construction Data” tab and select “Full grout, running bond.” Under the “Design Data” tab,
select “Design for critical flexural force” and display “Interaction diagram.” Also because the 2
ft section above the spandrel is also to be solidly grouted, increase the dead load “P” to “1.28
kips”: (2 ft. x 8 ft. x 80 psf / 1,000 lbs/kip). Click “OK” and observe that the wall with No. 6 @
88 in. works. A spacing of 88 in. is the spacing with reinforcement in the end cells of a 96 in.
shear segment. Looking at the interaction diagram, all loading cases (solid black dots) fall on or
inside the interaction diagram. To confirm that this design works, use edit data, return to
“Design Data”, and select “Design calculations”. Click “OK”, and observe that the wall does
work. Return to “Design Data”, and display “Design for critical shear,” display “Design
Calculations” and click “OK”. Note that fv = 0.0111 ksi and Fv = 0.04667 ksi for no shear
reinforcement (same as fully grouted), and no shear reinforcement is needed. Note that this
reinforcement selection does not work in the partially grouted construction. The added weight of
the solid grouted wall makes just enough difference for it to work.

94
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.3—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partially Grouted Interaction Diagram

95
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.4—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Flexure p. 1

96
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.4 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Flexure p. 2

97
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.4 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Flexure p. 3

98
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.5—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Shear p. 1

99
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.5 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Shear p. 2

100
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.5 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


In-Plane Partial Grouted Calculations - Section with Critical Shear p. 3

Lap-splice Design
Note that the software also displays a lap-splice length of 45 in. for the No. 5 reinforcement
which is the same value obtained using Table 2.4B.

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Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Lintel Design Example Using NCMA Structural Design Software –Using version 5.0
of the software, under “Design Basis”, select “Design Code”, then “2009 IBC Code, Allowable
Stress Design”. (Note that most lintels are designed for gravity load only, not wind or
earthquake, so the 1/3 stress increase associated with alternative basic load combinations in the
IBC Code does not apply. However, there is no need to change the software if it has already
been set for the alternative basic load combinations. The software will automatically check all
load combinations including those with no stress increase. If no wind or seismic loads are
included under the loads tab, the critical load combination will obviously be without the 1/3
stress increase).

Select the “Concrete Masonry” tab, and use all of the default values (f’m = 1500 psi). Under the
“Reinforcement” tab, select the default “Grade 60” reinforcing steel. For unit size, select the
default values. Click OK and the design basis information will be displayed.

Now select the “lintel” icon and a new screen with the “Design Data” tab on top will appear.
Select “Compute Loads”, “Reinforced Masonry Lintel” and “Not exposed to weather”. Use
default cover and x = 3 in. (press the F1 key for help on regarding these dimensions or drawing
in Figure C.6). Use default values for other entries under this tab.

Select the “Construction Data” tab and select “8 in. wall”, “running bond, ungrouted”. A wall
weight of 33 psf is displayed. For lintel construction preferences enter “2” for “Minimum
courses” and “2” for “Maximum courses”. Enter dimensions H = 4 ft. 0 in., L = 15 ft. 4 in, B = 8
in.

Under “Load Data”, the only load is self weight of the wall and the lintel, so no entry is needed
as these are calculated automatically. Select “OK” and observe if the output reflects the intended
input values. If the default No. 4 bars are used, two bars are required.

Because we want only one bar, using the “edit data” icon, return to the “Design Data” tab and
change the bar size to ”No. 5”. Select “OK” and observe that only one bar is needed (see Figure
C.6). This matches the solution presented in Example 2.4C using the design aids of this manual.

Note also that design shear (1590 lb) is less than capacity without shear reinforcement (3636 lb),
so shear is adequate without stirrups. Had the shear capacity not been adequate, the software
would have automatically designed and printed out the shear reinforcement requirements. Also
notice that the working stresses used were 24,000 psi for fs and 500 psi for fb which are without
the 1/3 stress increase. The deflection of this beam is 0.26 in. which is less than l/600 = (16 ft x
12 in./ft)/600 = 0.32 in. Therefore this lintel can be used to support unreinforced masonry per
the MSJC (ref. 1).

102
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.6—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Lintel Design Printout - p. 1

103
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.6 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Lintel Design Printout p. 2

104
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

Figure C.6 (cont.)—Structural Masonry Design System Software


Lintel Design Printout p. 3

105
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

106
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

APPENDIX D
Metric Conversions

Multiply Inch-Pound
Quantity Inch-Pound Units Metric Units
Units by:
ft m 0.3048*
Length
in. mm 25.4*
ft2 m2 0.09290304*
Area
in.2 mm2 645.16*
ft3 m3 0.0283168
Volume
in.3 mm3 16,387.064*
Mass lb kg 0.4535924
Density lb/ft3 kg/m3 16.01846
lb N 4.448222
Force
k kN 4.448222
lb/ft N/m 14.593904
Force/Unit Length
lb/in. N/mm 0.1751269
psf Pa 47.88026
psf kPa 0.04788026
Force/Unit Area psi kPa 6.89476
psi MPa 0.00689476
ksi MPa 6.89476
Mass/Unit Area psf kg/m2 4.882428
*Denotes exact conversion.

107
Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Buildings

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