APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MASONRY WALLS AGAINST WIND DAMAGE DURING CONSTRUCTION

摘要

Bracing system for supporting masonry walls during construction utilizes metal braces arranged in opposed relation on opposite sides of the wall at spaced locations. Vertical support members are placed against each side of the wall and held tightly together by snap-tie members which are placed in the wall near its bottom during construction. Horizontal members extend outwardly from each vertical member and rest on the ground or on boards laid on the ground but are not anchored to the ground. Adjustable diagonal members connect the horizontal and vertical members to form a triangular brace on each side of the wall. The diagonal members are adjusted until the vertical members are pressed tightly against the wall adjacent their upper connections to the diagonal members. The weight of the braces are carried by the foundation, preferably by removable angle members laid over the edge of the foundation during construction. The angles include studs to which the horizontal members are attached. When building high walls, the wall is preferably supported as it reaches a height of about 10 or 12 feet. When the wall reaches a height of 20-24 feet, additional vertical members are linked to the previously positioned vertical members and pressed against the wall by additional diagonal members attached to the same horizontal members. The system permits the wall to resist moments as if it were supported as its top and bottom rather than as a cantilever and causes wind loads to be transferred through the masonry wall, into the brace, into the foundation wall and then into the ground. The system is quickly assembled and, except for the snap ties which are broken off inside the wall and covered over, reusable indefinitely.