Widely used for brick, rendered blockwork or stone clad structures, stainless steel support is placed over a horizontal movement joint large enough to allow the masonry below to expand.
The design should take into account the type of cladding and frame. Differential movement and corrosion resistance should also be considered.
Our Technical Design Team is always available to provide advice and guidance in order to specify the most appropriate and cost-effective system for your given situation.
Differential Movement
Differential movement can occur between masonry cladding and the frame of the building. To counter the effects of this movement, the size of the masonry panel should be restricted.
The outer leaf of buildings that do not exceed four storeys or 12 metres in height (whichever is less) can be supported from ground level and uninterrupted for their full height. However, where differential movement is a concern for buildings within these height parameters, the use of support angles is perfectly acceptable.
For other buildings, BS5628: Part 1 stipulates that outer leaf support should be provided at intervals of not more than 9 metres, or three storeys, whichever is less. To allow for vertical movement of 1mm per metre, movement joints are usually placed at every two storeys.
Horizontal Movement Joints
Wincro Masonry Support systems are located directly over horizontal movement joints, sufficient in size to permit expansion of the masonry. Normally a joint of 10mm or more is required and it usually advisable for the support system to be built of a pistol brick with suitable rebate to allow for bedding and adjustment.
Suitable damp-proofing (DPM) is normally located at the support position and wall ties should be built in within 300mm above and below the support system at a recommended maximum horizontal spacing of 450mm.
Corrosion Resistance
All Wincro Masonry Support systems are manufactured from high quality grade 1.4301 (304) stainless steel to ensure durability and long life. They require no additional coatings, nor site applied applications. This construction grade stainless steel is suitable for the vast majority of building applications, however, for more corrosive environments, grade 1.4401 (316) is also available. These Austenitic grades of stainless steel have a thermal conductivity of 17W/mK.
Building Tolerances
Wincro Masonry Support systems are designed to accommodate building tolerances by providing adjustment in all three planes.
The Wincro serrated slot in the back of the bracket provides vertical adjustment of +/- 26mm. Horizontal adjustment is provided by either the use of cast-in channels into concrete framed structures or horizontally slotted holes in steel framed buildings.
Lateral adjustment is provided by the use of stainless steel packing shims between the system and structure. Typically, the maximum thickness of shims should not exceed the diameter of the fixing bolt or 16mm, whichever is the less.
Our Wincro Ultima Standard Masonry Support system provides greater on-site adjustment compared with ‘traditional’ welded systems. Brackets can be simply changed on site to suit cavity variances between the structure and brickwork. Vertical adjustment of +/- 26mm is provided by the patented Wincro slot within the brackets. Horizontal adjustment is provided within the coloured angle ’fixing zone’ to accommodate predrilled holes in steelwork or clashes with reinforcing bar in concrete frames.
Bi-metallic Corrosion
Bi-metallic corrosion can occur where there is dampness and where two dissimilar metals, such as the carbon steel of a structural frame and the stainless steel of the support system, come into contact. To eliminate this possibility Wincro recommends the use of neoprene isolation washers and/or neoprene isolation patches along with suitably coated screws or nuts and bolts.
Fixings
Wincro Masonry Support systems can be designed to fix to all types of structure and our Technical Design Team will design specific connections to the frame according to the demands of the site, type of support, structure, fixing type and loading requirements. For more information visit our Fixings page.