Damage Assessment and Repair for Older Brick Buildings

Authors: Tim D. Sass

Abstract:

The experience of engineers and architects practicing today is typically limited to current building code requirements and modern construction methods and materials. However, many cities have a mix of new and old buildings with many buildings constructed over one hundred years ago when building codes and construction methods were much different. When a brick building sustains damage, a structural engineer is often hired to determine the cause of damage as well as determine the necessary repairs. Forensic studies of dozens of brick buildings shows an appreciation of historical building methods and materials is needed to correctly identify the cause of damage and design an appropriate repair. Damage on an older, brick building can be mistakenly attributed to storms or seismic events when the real source of the damage is deficient original construction. Assessing and remediating damaged brickwork on older brick buildings requires an understanding of the original construction, an understanding of older repair methods, and, an understanding of current building code requirements.

Keywords: Brick, damage, deterioration, facade.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1315543

References:

[1] National Building Museum’s American Brick Collection, 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, t. 202-272-2448, www.nbm.org/exhibitions-collections/collections/brick-collection.html.
[2] ICC (International Code Council). (2009) IBC (International Building Code). Masonry Construction Section 2104.1.3 Installation of wall ties, First printing: February 2009, ICC, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478.
[3] Brick Industry Association (BIA) Technical Note 44B (2003). “Wall Ties for Brick Masonry, Table 1 Tie Spacing Requirements”. BIA, 1850 Centennial Park Drive, Suite 301, Reston, VA 20191.
[4] BIA Technical Note 46 (2005). “Maintenance of Brick Masonry - Table 1 Estimated Time to Repair of Materials”. BIA, 1850 Centennial Park Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191.
[5] Fundamentals of Building Construction, 4th Edition, Edward Allen and Joseph Iano, copyright 2004, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030.
[6] ICC, 2009 IBC. Existing Structures Section 3405.2 Substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system. First printing: February 2009, ICC, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478.
[7] ICC, 2009 International Residential Code. Stone and masonry veneer, general Section R703.7.4 Anchorage. First printing: February 2009, ICC, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478.