Loose Lintel - Anchor into Backup Wall

[FootNMouth]

I have a 8'0" wide double door with a loose lintel above that is supporting brick veneer. The backup wall is CMU. Should I anchor the loose lintel into the masonry lintel in order to transfer suction forces or it is standard practice to rely on the brick ties? Is another option to design the loose lintel so span horizontally and rely on friction at the jambs to develop the reactions?

 

[XR250]

I usually just count on the brick ties to do their job

 

[DETstru]

I agree with XR250, brick ties.

 

[FootNMouth]

Follow up questions, at what opening width or height would you not be comfortable relying on the brick ties?

 

[XR250]

The better question is at what opening width or height would you not be comfortable using a loose lintel? There is no lateral load on a brick lintel if the brick ties are installed correctly and the window or door is not attached to the lintel. 8ft. is usually my limit for a loose lintel.

 

[JAE]

We do the same - anything beyond about 8 feet we use the back-up wall as the support with a more substantial lintel and use a bolted-on shelf angle to support the brick.



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