Brick Veneer Retaining Wall near Roadway

[StreetsofSteel]

I'm working on a roadway design that is going to include a few retaining walls in Missouri. The PM has requested we incorporate anchored brick veneer system onto these concrete retaining walls, however I have some concerns.

I've had to brush up on this topic, and it looks as though we may need to include a small air gap and/or a foam material to deal with moisture. My primary concern is that, should a car impact the brick veneer, there will be nothing to absorb the impact and that the wall will collapse, maybe even further injuring said driver. It seems like the adhesive veneer system would be safer but I've never worked with it before.

I've already said I'm not comfortable signing off on this, but I was wondering if anybody have any thoughts/recommendations on this? Would I need to incorporate this 1" air gap in this situation, and if so is there anything I could do to reinforce the brick veneer? Would there be any specs/details/ect of similar setups alongside a new roadway that could be shared?

I also wanted to ask about weepholes for the same wall..... I remember the 2006 IBC had a code specifying the spacing on weepholes, but it looks like it's absent from the current version. Does anybody know what happened, and what new rules would now govern?

Thanks again for the help, it's much appreciated.

 

[PEinc]

Maybe you can suggest a form liner that makes the concrete look like brick?

http://formliners.com/catalog/?style=5

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[oldestguy]

Check out the durability and efflorescence potential for the brick. Very likely salty water spray will happen in the winter due to automobile traffic nearby. Freeze thaw resistance with this environment also may be important.. Also remember snow plowing is likely to push salt laden snow up against any nearby walls. One possible check would be where these same bricks are laid as paving in cross walks or generally street paving to see how they hold up.

 

[bridgebuster]

If you go with a thin adhered stone veneer (1/2" or so) you would need the drainage mat because water can seep in behind the stone.

The 1" gap is debatable with a veneer on a retaining wall ; unlike a building there isn't much change in temperature from one side to the other. I'm not a big fan of brick veneers; seen too many of them fail; then again I've seen a few that are still good after 50+ years. Anyway, I prefer form liner.

I attached details for precast stone panels - no air gap.

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Form liners are the way to go, otherwise you are creating a safety hazard over time.

Mike Lambert

 

[MotorCity]

Since this wall is in the vicinity of vehicle traffic, I would start by checking for requirements in AASHTO or your local DOT.

Next, consider how the brick will be attached to the wall. Most likely it will be with brick ties or anchors. Not sure how or if the anchors can be cast into a formed, poured wall so I am guessing they will be post installed. This could be extremely labor intensive depending on the size of your wall.

You will not be able to reinforce the brick in any manner to withstand a vehicle impact, even at low speeds. Brick is very brittle and would break immediately on impact, regardless of whether or not there was an air gap. Any brick system would be purely sacrificial in the event of being struck by a car.

I doubt that the concrete retaining wall would collapse if hit by a car because typically concrete walls tend to redistribute loads. It is possible that the brick wall veneer could collapse because it would be very unstable without a backing.

I have seen bridge abutments with the brick look, but they have all been constructed using brick form liners and adding a dye to the mix to achieve a red brick look. Definitely the way to go.

 

[bridgebuster]

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