Designing for Movement and Reduction of Potential Field Issues in Brick Veneer

Glen Clapper, AIA, LEED AP, Architectural Services Manager
Brick Industry Association, Southeast Region

Continuing Education

AIA: 1.5 LU/HSW/SD
SC Building Codes Council: 1.5 hrs

Certificates Provided

Summary

Here in the southeast region, we have the capacity to produce approximately 50% of the brick in the country while we consume approximately 60% of the brick in the country. These brick fun facts, among others, will be presented in this lecture that reviews the manufacturing process and characteristics unique to clay masonry that necessitate the use of expansion joints. Building code requirements and industry recommendations for brick expansion joints will be discussed and how they and other conditions found on many job sites may affect the final appearance and/or performance of brick masonry. In addition, issues related to workmanship during the installation of brick work are presented. During this course best practices are illustrated that provide the best opportunity of avoiding potential problems with brick masonry.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the necessity, function and the building code requirements for brick veneer expansion joints.
• Learn Industry recommendations for the location of expansion joints in brick veneer walls.
• Discover potential effects on brick work resulting from specific conditions on a job site.
• Learn how to evaluate the quality of workmanship for brick masonry.

About Our Speaker

Glen Clapper joined the Southern Brick Institute (now BIA-SE) in September 2001 as the Director of Engineering. Prior to joining BIA-SE, he was employed for 13 years as an Architect/Engineer by a nationally recognized engineering/architectural firm specializing in the investigation and repair of buildings and other structures. He began his career working for a small architectural firm where his responsibilities included schematic design, preparation of construction documents and site observation. During his summer breaks while attending college he worked in residential construction as a carpenter and as a mason’s apprentice.

Glen’s professional experience has included various aspects of the architectural and engineering practice. He has performed material testing in accordance with ASTM standards and conducted field performance testing as specified by the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association. He has experience in the survey and documentation of existing masonry clad buildings and the preparation of drawings and specifications for building facade repairs. He has served as a full-time observer for a large masonry recladding project and has provided construction observation for several other masonry construction projects. Glen has also performed numerous investigations related to water infiltration into buildings and provided expert witness services.

Glen received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois and he is a Registered Architect. Glen is also a member of ASTM, The Masonry Society, and AIA.