Objectives Masonry Veneer

Design of Shelf Angles for

Present a Brief Overview of: Wood or Steel Stud Backed CMU Backed
J.B. SPEED SCHOOL

Masonry Veneers From BIA TECH Note From Maconline

OF ENGINEERING

• Masonry Veneer Wall systems and

W. Mark McGinley, Ph. D., PE their vertical supports.
FASTM
• How these systems behave under
vertical loads. Wood or

MASONRY DAY
Indianapolis • How the vertical support systems can
March 3, 2016 be designed.
• Present a few examples.
Indiana/Kentucky Structural
Masonry Coalition
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1

Shelf Angles tied back to Spandrel beam

Movement joint
Introduction Or slab widening
below shelf angle
In general, masonry veneer (stud backed) must accommodate:
must be supported at very floor over 30 ft Thermal and
in height (except at gables). Also typically moisture expansion
done for CMU backed veneers of brick and elastic
(differential movements). and creep shorting of
support elements.
This usually requires that shelf angles be
placed at each floor above 30 ft. and What’s wrong with this detail ?
designed to support the weight of veneer
above. The angle is awful thin and where’s the
Continuous Insulation (CI)?
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W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 1
 Design -typically ties spaced to resist
out-of-plane loads
Shelf Angle Span
Veneer weight – vertical load Between Anchors Shelf Angle

Common shelf angle design is to

assume a uniform dead load from the
More “realistic detail” – Note the angle veneer and design the angle to span
thickness and expansion joint height. as a beam between anchors OR
Shelf angle must be designed to resist
7 vertical veneer weight load 8 9

Shelf Angle Frame Design Model Harbor Courts Complex Baltimore

Can use finite element
Shelf Angle models of veneer, angles,
Floor Slab
spandrel supports.
Veneer Weight

B) Anchored Frame Shelf Angle Model

28-Story 8-Story Hotel
Assuming the angle legs act as a bolted Office/Condominium
Tower
frame with a vertical dead load applied to
the end of the horizontal leg
Lots of shelf
Question how much of the angle length angles
is effective ?
10 11
7-Story Parking Deck with
Plaza Deck

W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 2
 Mortar Blockage in Horizontal
Inadequate Bearing of Brick
Investigation of Problems
Expansion Joints Below Shelf Angle on Shelf Angle

Localized Cracking and Distress of Brick

Horizontal Initial Findings of Investigation To solve these problems

Improper Shimming of Shelf Angles (mostly shelf angle related)
Expansion Joints
you get to use FE to save
Problems money and lawyers are
paying.

Popped
out – no
ties

Cracked
away

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W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 3
 These analysis showed Based on finite element analyses and Based on finite element analyses and field
that the stiff brick testing, a number of observations about the shelf
(vertically) spans
field testing, a number of observations
angle veneer interaction can be made:
between the less flexible about the shelf angle veneer interaction
sections of the angle can be made: Near Anchor Away from Anchor
with little stress in the
brick 1. The veneer is very stiff relative to its
Floor Slab Floor Slab

(Dead load) supports.

3. The angle rotates away from veneer and
provides little support to the veneer away from
2. Shelf angles are poor in torsion and anchor.
do not really act as beams between
4. The brick can span a significant distance.
anchors.

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Suggested Design Method Based on Observed Veneer Span Design: Veneer Span Design:
Behavior:
Veneer Height Veneer Height

1. Assume that the veneer will act as a beam

spanning in-plane horizontally between
Veneer Span Veneer Span
anchors.
Limit Net flexural Tensile Stress Limit Net flexural Tensile Stress
Assuming even as little as 20 psi as a limit to the allowable stress,
2. Design brick to ensure that the brick flexural simple supports and uniform loading, the following table of
stresses are low enough to be resisted by the TMS 402 ASD Procedures for URM – Table 8.2.4.2 - Ft limits maximum spans for various veneer heights can be developed.
veneer. Table 1 Maximum Veneer Spans for Select Heights and Ft
But does not really have limits that apply to this type of loading
3. Determine the vertical veneer reactions at You could may an argument that Stress are parallel to the Bed Veneer Veneer
Thickness (in) Ft (psi) Height (ft) Span (ft) Weight (psf)
assumed support spacing. joints. For this loading and solid units the Ft varies from 40 to 3.625 20 1 5.38 40
106 psi. 3.625 20 2 7.61 40
3.625 20 4 10.77 40
4. Design shelf angle to transfer support reaction 3.625 20 6 13.19 40
to slab or spandrel beams. For Normal to Bed joints (OOP) – Ft varies from 20 to 53 psi 3.625 20 8 15.23 40
3.625 20 10 17.03 40
22 23 3.625 20 12 18.65 40 24

W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 4
 Angle Design: Example 1 Angle Design: Example 1 Angle Design: Example 1
Support a 10 ft height of 4” clay brick veneer
Veneer Height
At limit the brick reaction will be applied at the toe of the
Veneer Height angle - However it is unlikely that the reaction will ever be
applied at this location as the deflection of angle will
Veneer Span actually move the reaction back from the toe.
Veneer Span
The anchor shear reaction would then be (assuming
Previous Table would suggest the brick could span at trib. width distribution): Brick

least 17 ft. and as little as 1 ft height of veneer could Air gap and insulation
span at least 5.4 ft. Reaction from brick = 40 psf x 10’ x 6’ = 2400 lb.
Shelf Angle
Shear OK Adding an additional 10 lb/ft for the angle weight
2400 lb Floor Slab
The brick capacity will not often govern anchor spacing. would produce a total vertical reaction of Anchor Reactions

Try an anchor spacing of 6 ft. – The Veneer can span

R total = 2460 lb. Eccentricity
this distance for heights over 1.5 ft (Table 1) of veneer weight
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Angle Design: Example 1 Angle Design: Example 1 Angle Design: Example 1

Eccentricity of veneer weight The moment at the base of the angle toe =9750 lb.in
Thus a reasonable design condition is to assume that the = 1 + 1 + ¼+ 3.625/2 = 4.06 in
Vertical Brick load is applied at the center of the veneer.
Veneer Height
If there is a 1” air gap, 1” of insulation and a 1/2 in. angle The moment at the base of the angle toe =
thickness the eccentricity to the center of the angle
thickness can be determined (see next slide): = 4.06 x 2400 =9750 lb.in Anchor spacing

Brick Note there is also a moment due to the angle self weight How much of the angle is resisting this moment?
but this is very small and can be ignored.
Air gap and insulation
Brick At the limit, ½ the length of the angle on each side of
anchor will resist the moment, however analysis shows the
Shelf Angle Air gap and insulation
angle rotation will reduce the amount of angle effective in
2400 lb Anchor Reactions Floor Slab Shelf Angle resisting the moment for longer anchor spacing.
2400 lb Anchor Reactions Floor Slab How much angle resist the load depends on thickness of the
angle, veneer stiffness and anchor spacing. 30
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W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 5
 Angle Design: Example 1 Angle Design: Example 1
Angle Design: Example 1
10 ft height of 4” clay brick veneer 10 ft height of 4” clay brick veneer
10 ft height of 4” clay brick veneer
Thus for the angle in question- Both the vertical leg and the horizontal leg must resist the
The moment at the base of the angle toe =9750 lb.in 4 x 4 = 16 inches note that this can be quite conservative moment.
and is less than the 72 inch anchor spacing. In addition the vertical leg must resist the tension of 2460 lb.
Veneer Height

Using AISC LRFD provisions and a My limit assuming Fy This produces an axial tension stress of = = 410 psi less

Effective length
= 36 ksi. Limit deformation.
Anchor spacing
of angle then 2% of yield and by inspection the combined loading OK .
. Brick
In the past, the effective length of masonry wall resisting a Sx required = = 0.361 in3
. , Air gap and insulation
concentrated load was 4x masonry wall thickness.
Use a 3/8 x 5 x 5 angle
A 3/8” angle with 16 in. width - S = 0.375 in3 (S = bd2/6) Shelf Angle – Size anchors to resist
The range of analyses showed that combined shear and
this could be used as a conservative rule of thumb You could also make an argument to use Mp =  Zx Fy
2400 lb Anchor Reactions Floor Slab tension loading not the
weight is a little higher
For the effective length of the angle And Zx =bd2/6 But not significant.
31 33
Use 4 x veneer thickness ≤ anchor spacing

Angle Design: Example 2 – 5 inch Cavity Angle Design: Example 2 – 5 inch cavity
Angle Design: Example 2 – 5 inch Cavity
The distance between the interface of the veneer and
10 ft height of 4” clay brick veneer Veneer Height support wall is 1 + 4 = 5 in.
But now assume that there is 4” of backing wall Air gap and insulation

(cavity) insulation. Veneer Span

The anchor shear reaction would then be (assuming Brick

Backing Wall
trib. width distribution):

Insulation
Veneer Height

Reaction from brick = 40 psf x 10’ x 4’ = 1600 lb.

Veneer Span
1600 lb Floor Slab
Anchor Reactions
Adding an additional 15 lb/ft for the angle weight
Try an anchor spacing of 4 ft. – The veneer can results in would produce a total vertical reaction of Shelf Angle
Eccentricity
span this distance for heights over 3 courses. of veneer weight

R total = 1640 lb. 36

Note ties must be rationally designed as tie length
35 exceeds prescriptive code limits.
34

W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 6
 Angle Design: Example 2 – 5 inch Cavity Angle Design: Example 2 – 5 inch cavity Angle Design: Example 2
Assume that the vertical brick load is applied at the center 10 ft. height of 4 in. clay brick veneer
of the veneer. Assume a ½ in. angle thickness. The moment at the base of the angle toe =11,296 lb.in Using AISC LRFD provisions and a My limit assuming Fy
Eccentricity = 36 ksi. Limit deformation.
of veneer weight = 5+ ¼+ 3.625/2 = 7.06 in Veneer Height
, .
Sx required = = 0.418 in3
Brick
. ,
Anchor spacing Effective length
Air gap and insulation of angle
The angle will have to be 8 inches to pick up the brick
Shelf Angle minimum thickness of this angle size is 7/16 in.
Effective length of angle
1600 lb Anchor Reactions Floor Slab Use 4 x veneer thickness ≤ anchor spacing A 7/16 in. angle with 16 in. width - S = 0.510 in3
Eccentricity of veneer weight
16 inches is less than 48 so use effective length of Again you could make an argument to use Mp
The moment at the base of the angle toe = 7.06 x 1600 =11,296 lb.in angle = 16 inches again.
Note there is also a moment due to the angle self weight but this is 38

very small and can be ignored.

37

Angle Design: Example 2

Summary

J.B. SPEED SCHOOL

Both the vertical leg and the horizontal leg must resist the

OF ENGINEERING
moment. • Presented a brief overview of Masonry
In addition the vertical leg must resist the tension of 1640 lb.
Veneer Wall systems and their vertical
This produces an axial tension stress of = = 234 psi
supports THANK YOU !

less then 1% of yield and by inspection the combined loading • Discussed how these systems behave
OK . Brick
Use a 7/16 x 8 x 6 angle – Size

QUESTIONS?
anchors to resist
Air gap and insulation combined shear and tension • Presented a method how they can be
loading – note 7/16 x 6 x 8 may
not be available everywhere
designed
Shelf Angle

1600 lb Anchor Reactions Floor Slab • Presented few examples for design
40

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W. Mark McGinley ‐ March 3, 2016 ISEA MEETINGS 7