Masonry Arch 2

[XR250]

I

could use some input....
These brick arches support an exterior deck. The joists cantilever over the arch about 7 ft. The arch span is about 7'-4"
My service load on the on the arch is about 850 PLF not including the self-weight of the masonry. The masonry wall can be any thickness up to 16”. The Architect wants to see brick on both sides of the wall and wants to avoid seeing a rolled lintel if possible. I think I can talk him out of the flat portions at the base of the arch and using soldier courses above the opening (a necessity). I was considering reinforcing the piers and typing them together above the arch with a reinforced masonry beam that would support the gravity load and take some of the demand off the arch. This would also allow the piers to resist the arch thrust. Looks like NCMA has a TEK article about designing these things.

Do you guys have any better ideas?

Thanks

 

[XR250]

So maybe do as you suggested and design a reinf. masonry beam. ASTMC476 grout ok?

Thanks

 

[phamENG]

No problem. And yes - standard masonry grout should be fine. Just be sure they aren't adding too much water (there are admixtures to improve flow and reduce water in grout) as water migration is a key ingredient. And spec'ing potable water with low dissolved salt content is important too.

Too much water is often a problem with masonry since they're trying to fill small, tall voids with limited visibility.

 

[phamENG]

For what it's worth, I wish masonrygeek would come on here. I know a thing or two about a thing or two, but he's got me beat on masonry expertise.

 

[XR250]

Just be sure they aren't adding too much water (there are admixtures to improve flow and reduce water in grout) as water migration is a key ingredient. And spec'ing potable water with low dissolved salt content is important too.

I'll be lucky if they don't use mortar for grout

 

[phamENG]

It would be funny if it weren't true.