Brick cladding

Multi-storey frames may be clad in brickwork or stone using a range of proprietary systems based on specially designed brackets and restraint devices.

The most common method of attaching brickwork to steel frames is by the use of shelf angles fitted either to the slab edge, or to plates welded onto the edge beams. The shelf angles are usually made from stainless steel. The method of attachment of the shelf angle allows for vertical adjustment to suit the brick coursing.

Brickwork is constructed on these shelf angles and attached to the columns and to inner concrete block walls using brick ties. Windposts are sometimes incorporated to give improved stability, particularly in tall buildings subject to high wind pressures, or where large size panels are used. An expansion joint is used at the top of the panels to take up relative movements between the building frame and the brickwork.