2121.2.2 Tie Columns

Concrete tie columns shall be required in exterior walls of unit masonry. Concrete tie columns shall be required at all corners, at intervals not to exceed 16 feet (4.9 m) center-to-center of columns, adjacent to any corner opening exceeding 4 feet (1219 mm) in width, and at the ends of free-standing walls exceeding 2 feet (610 mm) in length. When openings exceed 8 feet (2.4 m) in width, tie columns shall be provided on each side of all such openings. All gable and shed end corners shall have tie columns.

When openings are between 3 and 8 feet (914 mm and 2.4 m) in width, such openings shall have one #5 vertical reinforcing bar at each side. The vertical bars shall be placed in concrete filled cells and shall extend into footings and into tie beams. All such bars shall be continuous from footing to tie beam. All splices, where needed, shall be 30 inches (762 mm) minimum.

Tie columns shall be not less than 12 inches (305 mm) in width. Tie columns having an unbraced height not exceeding 15 feet (4.6 m) shall be not less in thickness than the wall or less than a nominal 8 inches (203 mm), and, where exceeding 15 feet (4.6 m) in unbraced height, shall be not less in thickness than 12 inches (305 mm). The unbraced height shall be taken at the point of positive lateral support in the direction of consideration or the column may be designed to resist applicable lateral loads based on rational analysis.

Tie columns shall be reinforced with not less than four #5 vertical bars for 8 inch by 12 inch (203 mm by 305 mm) columns nor less than four #6 vertical bars for 12 inch by 12 inch (305 mm by 305 mm) columns nor less reinforcing steel than 0.01 of the cross-sectional area for columns of other dimension nor less than may be required to resist axial loads or bending forces. Vertical reinforcing shall be doweled to the footing and splices shall be lapped 30 bar diameters. Columns shall be tied with #2 hoops spaced not more than 12 inches (305 mm) apart.

The concrete tie columns set forth herein are a minimum to limit masonry panel areas and provide an integrated framework for masonry. The spacing of concrete columns for skeleton frame construction, designed as specified in Chapter 19 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zones), may exceed the spacing herein set forth provided the masonry panels have an area less than 240 square feet (22.3 m²) and the structural system is designed to transmit horizontal wind loads to the columns.

Concrete tie columns designed to limit masonry panel areas may be offset at tie beams or other horizontal members to avoid openings, but the maximum spacing shall not be exceeded.

Concrete columns in load-bearing walls shall be poured only after masonry units are in place. Where masonry walls of skeleton frame construction are laid up after the frame has been erected, adequate anchorage designed by a professional engineer shall be provided. Where structural steel members are made fire resistive with masonry units, the panel walls shall be bonded to the fire-resistive materials.

Where the minimum spacing of tie columns, as set forth in Section 2121.2.2.1, has been satisfied and structural columns of skeleton frame construction are spaced as specified in Section 2121.2.2.5, provision for resisting the horizontal and vertical loads at the edges of masonry panels abutting door and window openings in masonry walls where openings are not bounded by such reinforced concrete columns shall be considered and, where necessary, transfer the forces through the materials of assembly to the ground.