Page 66 - Design of Reinforced Masonry Structures

MASONRY UNITS: APPLICATIONS, TYPES, SIZES, AND CLASSIFICATION 2.19

of thin veneer brick based on appearance:
TBS, TBX, and TBA. Minimum compressive
strength is not required in ASTM C1088
because there is no proper way to test thin
bricks in compression.
Thin bricks are available in many dif-
ferent sizes, colors, and textures, which
vary with producers. The most commonly
found size is standard modular with nomi-
2
nal dimensions of 2 ⁄ 3 × 8 in. The actual
3
face dimensions vary, typically ⁄ 8 to ⁄ 2 in.
1
smaller than the nominal dimensions. The FIGURE 2.13 Thin brick units. (Courtesy: BIA.)
economy size is 50 percent longer and
wider. The economy modular size—4 × 12 in.—is popular for use in large buildings.
Various types of thin units are shown in Fig. 2.13.
A variety of procedures are in use for the installation of thin brick units. Ceramic tile
installation techniques are used to install the brick units, either at the jobsite or on prefabri-
cated panels. In both United States and Japan, thin bricks have been placed into forms and
cast integrally with concrete to produce architecturally attractive precast panels. Another
procedure involves bonding thin bricks to a 16 × 48 in. substrate, resulting in small, light-
weight, and modular panels which can be easily installed. A discussion on recommended
installation practices can be found in Ref. [2.36].
Veneers can be used in masonry work in one of the three ways:
1. Adhered veneers, veneers that are secured to and supported by the backing through
adhesion.
2. Anchored veneers, those that are secured to and supported laterally by the backing through
anchors and supported vertically by the foundation or other structural elements.
3. Masonry veneers, veneers installed in the form of a wythe that provides the exterior
finish of a wall system and transfers out-of-plane load directly to a backing, but is not
considered adding load resisting capacity to the wall system.
Design provisions for veneers are covered in Chap. 6 of the MSJC-08 Code [2.3] and
not discussed further in this book.

2.5.7 Ceramic Glazed Brick and Facing Tiles
Ceramic glazed brick facing tiles are governed by ASTM C126: Ceramic Glazed Structural
Clay Facing Tile, Facing Brick, and Solid Masonry Units [2.17]. For exposed exterior applica-

tions, these tiles should also meet the durability requirements of ASTM C652 [2.15]. These units
are produced from shale, fire clay, or a mixture thereof, and are characterized by their glazed
finish. Glazing results from a highly specialized and carefully controlled process that involves
spraying a number of ingredients on the units and burning at above 1500°F. Essentially, the
glaze is a blend of clay, ceramic frit, fluxes, and base metals sprayed on the units before burn-
ing, and then subjected to normal firing temperatures. The sprayed ingredients fuse together to
form a glasslike coating, rendering them inseparable. This coating may be produced in the form
a clear glasslike finish, or in a number of solid colors and multicolor arrangements. The glaze is
required to be impervious to liquids, and resistant to stain, crack, or craze. Since these tiles are
not dependent on the color of their clay for their final color, they are available in a complete color
gradation from pure whites to pastels of varying hue to deep solid colors and jet-blacks.
Ceramic glazed tiles are primarily used for decorative and sanitary effects. Since these
tiles are required to be stain resistant, they can be easily cleaned; a major advantage. The