Tn 18A web-nov06. indd

LOADBEARING MASONRY

The potential for cracking in loadbearing masonry 

members is less than in nonloadbearing masonry 

members because compressive stresses from dead and 

www.gobrick.com |

 

Brick Industry Association

 |

 

TN

 

18A

 

|

 

Accommodating Expansion of Brickwork 

 

| 

Page 10 of 11

Sealant in Raked Joint

(Typical) (Optional)

Joint Reinforcement

and Adjustable Anchor

in CMU Veneer Band

Bond Breaker

(Typical)

Adjustable Anchor

(Typical)

Brick Veneer

CMU Veneer

Band

Figure 14

Bond Breaks

Bond Break Material

Foundation

Anchor Bolt

Steel Plate

Bond Break at Foundation

(b)

Anchor Bolt

Bond Break at Roof

(a)

Bond Beam

Lath or

Hardware Cloth

Figure 12

Multi-Course Concrete Masonry Band 

in Brick Veneer

Figure 13

Bond Beams

Bond Beam

Hollow Brick Construction

(b)

Cavity Wall Construction

(a)

Lath or

Hardware Cloth

Bond Beam

---

live loads help offset the effects of any movement. Adding reinforcement at critical sections such as parapets, 

points of load application and around openings to accommodate or distribute high stresses will also help control 

the effects of movement. Reinforcement may be placed in bed joints or in bond beams, as shown in 

Figure 13

. 

Historic loadbearing structures were not constructed with expansion joints. However, these walls were made of 

multi-wythe brick construction, unlike typical structures built today. 

When it is necessary to anchor a masonry wall to a foundation or to a roof, it is still possible to detail the walls in a 

manner that allows some differential movement, as shown in 

Figure 14a 

and

 Figure 14b

. Such anchorage is often 

required for loadbearing walls subjected to high winds or seismic forces.

SUMMARY

This Technical Note defines the types of movement joints used in building construction. Details of expansion joints 

used in brickwork are shown. The recommended size, spacing and location of expansion joints are given. By using 

the suggestions in this Technical Note, the potential for cracks in brickwork can be reduced.

Expansion joints are used in brick masonry to accommodate the movement experienced by materials as they 

react to environmental conditions, adjacent materials and loads. In general, vertical expansion joints should be 

used to break the brickwork into rectangular elements that have the same support conditions, climatic exposure 

and through-wall construction. The maximum recommended spacing of vertical expansion joints is 25 ft (7.6 m).

 

Horizontal expansion joints must be placed below shelf angles supporting brick masonry.

The information and suggestions contained in this Technical Note are based on the available data 

and the combined experience of engineering staff and members of the Brick Industry Association. 

The information contained herein must be used in conjunction with good technical judgment 

and a basic understanding of the properties of brick masonry. Final decisions on the use of 

the information contained in this Technical Note are not within the purview of the Brick Industry 

Association and must rest with the project architect, engineer and owner.

REFERENCES

1.  ASTM C 920, Standard Guide for Use of Elastomeric Joint Sealants, Annual Book of Standards, Vol. 

04.07, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2006.

2. Beall, 

C., 

Masonry Design and Detailing for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, Fifth Edition, McGraw 

Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 2003.

3.  Beall, C., “Sealant Joint Design,” Water on Exterior Building Walls: Problems and Solutions, ASTM STP 

1107, T.A. Schwartz, Ed., ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA, 1991.

4.  Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ACI 530-05/ASCE 5-05/TMS 402-05), The Masonry 

Society, Boulder, CO, 2005. 

5.  “Building Movements and Joints,” Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL, 1982.

www.gobrick.com |

 

Brick Industry Association

 |

 

TN 18A

 

|

 

Accommodating Expansion of Brickwork

 

| 

Page

 

11 of 11