The cracking behavior of brick walls with steel-stud backup

The results of an experimental and analytical program designed to evaluate the performance of brick veneer walls with metal-stud backups are reported. Particular reference is made to the performance of the walls after a crack develops in the brick veneer. The project included testing of wall ties, flexural testing of full-scale wall systems, and water-permeance testing. Six full-scale walls were tested. three with positive pressure and three with negative pressure. The walls were tested to load levels up to three times the load recommended by the metal-stud manufacturers. The lateralload test results are reported in the form of deflection profiles at various load levels. Test results show that a large proportion of the lateral load is transferred to the metal-stud backup after a crack develops in the brick veneer.