Anchoring Heavy Objects to Clay Masonry Veneer

[sponcyv]

I have a client who wants to hang a 500 lb. ornamental object to veneer. I want to anchor it back to blocking attached to studs. This will create a scheduling problem as the ornamental object is custom and will not be there during the erection of the brick. I am looking for information on anchoring such a heavy object to veneer. I don't feel very comfortable about it honestly. Has anyone ever done this before?

 

[Ron]

I agree with you on this. Anchor back to the structure.

You could possibly install the anchors and then attach the object later. Post a sketch and I'll explain what I mean.

 

[dhengr]

Sponcyv:
The codes generally frown on attaching significant structural loads directly to a true brick veneer, particularly those carrying people or primary structural loads which may fail and fall on someone. The veneer has no strength w.r.t. loading perpendicular to its plane and basically no bending strength in that orientation; but potentially good shear resistance in its plane and good compressive capacity in plane. I think you are thinking along the right lines by wanting to tie back to proper blocking in the primary structure to take these lateral loadings. But, I would argue that with proper attention to details on the veneer, around the attachment location, that the veneer can carry that vertical loading. Some veneers are speced. and built with less than top notch materials and workmanship, and inadequate ties back to the primary structure, and are not supported well at their base.

Thus, your design problem involves some vert. adjustment back at the studs/blocking to match a bed joint elev. as the brick is laid up. That back attachment is fixed at this time. You must know something about the attachment spacing, etc. on the 500# object. Then your attachment hardware might involve a couple stl. rods cantilevered out from the back blocking with a 2.5 or 3"x1/4" bar welded under them to bear in a bed joint and to support the ornamental object. Alternatively, the couple stl. rods could be attached to an angle iron with the horiz. leg in a bed joint, and the vert. leg turned down just outside of the brick face with various attachment hardware on it.

 

[msquared48]

Ask the client to hold the ornament for you while you attach it to the veneer.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I am guessing you might have some idea of about where it needs to go. Why not install solid blocking between a few studs in the general area. Probably rather cheap considering this is custom art. Example - put the studs 12.75'' oc in this area and infill with 2x12s. Then lag in.

I am sure you will then hit a good anchorage point.