MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF BRICK VENEER WITH STEEL-STUD BACKUP WALL SYSTEMS

In the study of the performance of walls constructed of brick veneer with metal-stud backup, both experimental and analytical methods have been used. In the analytical studies, mathematical models have been developed to simulate the behavior of the wall systems. In this paper, three mathematical models are presented for: (1) Performing parametric studies; (2) simulating the composite action of the wall system; and (3) modeling the inelastic behavior of the wall after the development of a crack in the brick veneer. A method for predicting the cracking load of the brick veneer also is presented. The results of the parametric studies show that boundary conditions, tie stiffness, construction method, and the flexural rigidities of the wall system affect the system's performance. Composite action between the components of the wall systems do not appear to be significant. The inelastic behavior of the wall system shows that significant lateral load is transferred to the metal-stud backup wall after the brick veneer cracks. The failure loads of the brick veneers were predicted to a good degree of accuracy.