Masonry Pier and Curtain Wall

[grogannc]

I have a client who wants to open up an existing exterior wall as part of a renovation project. The opening is 10' wide into a new elevated sunroom. the loads at each end of the 10' opening are 4.2k. The property slope varies but max ht of a load bearing masonry pier/curtain wall is about 8'. What do you guys normally do to beef up the 4in brick curtain wall? All I can think to do is add CMU piers behind the curtain wall assuming there isn't one already there and attach blocking to the band to help transfer some of the load into the CMU and not all on the brick.

 

[XR250]

I would not count on blocking to transfer the load to the CMU. If the posts are over the brick, it will go to the brick. I would epoxy some #3 rebar into the brick @ 16" O.C. that can be embedded in a grouted masonry pier. The pier will then brace the brick.
You also might want to check the brick on its own. It may be able to support 4.2k.

 

[grogannc]

The brick is ok by itself. I just am not crazy about supporting fairly large concentrated loads on a single wythe. Was planning on bonding the CMU pier to the masonry with mortar. Mainly concerned as you say with out of plane loading due to incidental eccentricities.

 

[XR250]

The mortar will probably work, but I have seen too many post-installed pilasters become un-bonded