Source: MASONRY CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE
Publication date: October 1, 2006

By Walter A. Laska

Until recently, traditional masonry walls were relatively thick compared to their height. The introduction of reinforced masonry design has now created taller, slender single wythe masonry walls. The ability to construct thinner and taller walls results in initial cost savings, reduces space, and permits increased vertical clearance.

Reinforced single wythe masonry construction may require a connection in which the wall completely bypasses the steel joists. For this condition, an angle with sufficiently designed bearing capacity can be solidly grouted into a bond beam. This arrangement creates a ledger for the joist to bear on and connect to. The amount of required joist bearing should be determined by the applicable code. This type of connection results in an eccentrically loaded wall.

A structural analysis of the wall should be made to determine masonry reinforcement requirements. Ledger angles also can be bolted into the bond beam with expansion anchors after the masonry wall has been erected.

The ledger angle should be cut into sections and delivered to the site before masonry construction begins. Long sections of angles are difficult to install. Providing workable sections at the appropriate time assures proper angle embedment.

The means of joist attachment to the ledger angle should be determined by the amount of movement experienced by the joist.

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