Rational Design of Masonry Veneers and Shelf Angle Supports

Chapter 12 of the TMS 402 2016 includes provisions for the design of anchored and adhered masonry veneer. Although the vast majority of anchored masonry veneer systems are designed using the prescriptive provisions within this standard, veneers in high wind zones, high seismic zones, or constructed with large distances between the backing walls and the veneer cannot be designed using these prescriptive provisions. In addition, the prescriptive provisions do not often provide the most cost-effective solutions for the rehabilitation and retrofit of masonry veneers. The TMS 402 does have provisions for alternative rational design provisions for masonry veneers. These provisions are explained and a method for the rational veneer wall system design are presented. This lesson also describes a method for the design of the vertical Shelf angle support of the walls systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the alternative design procedures for masonry veneers in TMS 402 (Chapter 12).
• Present an example of a rational veneer design.
• Describe how steel shelf angles provide vertical support to masonry veneers.
• Present a sample shelf angle design.