Masonry curtain walls employ brick or stone veneers supported by the building's structure to form an external cladding system that is both aesthetically appealing and functional. These walls are erected through two principal techniques, first by traditional layering of masonry units and second by using prefabricated panels. Traditional construction relies on steel shelf angles attached to the spandrel beam for support, with high-bond mortars ensuring secure attachment of masonry veneer units.

In brick wall construction, supporting structures are crucial for openings like windows and doors to maintain the integrity and support the weight of the wall above. These supports include lintels, corbels, and arches, each serving specific structural purposes.
Lintels are primary supports used to span openings and can be crafted from materials such as reinforced concrete, steel-reinforced brick masonry, or simple steel angles. These are straightforward to install and are typically concealed...

Composite masonry walls combine multiple wythes of the same or different masonry materials to create a unified structure. These walls feature wythes that are bonded together either through mortar-filled collar joints, grouted spaces, or more commonly, with rigid metal ties and reinforcements, with the use of masonry header units being rare. Metal ties are preferred because they effectively minimize water penetration, as these walls primarily absorb moisture and then release it into the...

Cavity walls feature a hollow space between the outer and inner wythes, connected only by corrosion-resistant metal ties. When water seeps through the outer wythe, it descends within this cavity, intercepted by flashing and eventually exiting through weep holes. To enhance moisture resistance, the inner wythe's cavity side often receives damp-proofing, doubling as an air barrier. The cavity can also house insulation to mitigate heat transfer.
Maintaining a clean cavity during construction is...

Typically, a cavity wall consists of two wythes separated by a gap of at least 2 inches, which may contain insulation while still maintaining a minimum clear space of 1 inch to facilitate adequate drainage. Advanced methods like the insertion of a continuous drainage mat can further reduce this space while ensuring effective moisture expulsion.
Weep holes, strategically placed at the base of the cavity, are critical for draining accumulated water. These openings are created by leaving head...

Masonry load-bearing walls, constructed from materials like brick, stone, or concrete masonry units, serve as a crucial component in building structures by supporting the loads from floors and roofs and transferring them to the foundation. These walls, known for their compressive strength, can be reinforced or unreinforced to suit different building needs, accommodating both the dead and live loads while maintaining safety through lower working stresses compared to the materials' ultimate...