Experimental study on the mechanical performance of steel ties for brick masonry veneers

Abstract

An experimental study was carried out to analyse the tension and compression behaviour of wall ties anchoring brick veneer walls to masonry infill walls as the backing support. Connection subassemblies were tested under monotonic and cyclic loading, simulating out-of-plane loading of veneer wall systems in order to understand the influence of six different ties with different design, thickness and attachment methods in the strength, stiffness and failure modes of the connection system. Experimental results from this study show more details about the behaviour of this system and importance of determined parameters. Tensile resistance capacity can be more influenced by wall tie design, while tie thickness was considered to be the most important parameter in compression behaviour. Attachment methods studied do not considered a very influential factor. This study can help to understand and justify the contribution of these elements for the mechanical masonry veneer walls under different loading conditions.