Advice on

Wanting to rebuild my back porch/deck. Found a lot of new info in the Deck Constuction Guide dated for 2018. Something that wasn't covered was construction of brick columns, pictured below. Where should I be looking for how to build a deck with brick columns, and NOT kill any one? Trying to meet code and budget. Located in East Tn. Thoughts?

 

Brick alone cannot be a structural component. So you would likely want to talk to a designer, structural engineer or experienced mason about your needs. And get a permit if required in your area, along with inspections. You will likely need footings per the DCA6 Prescriptive Deck Guide, and then steel columns instead of posts. Your deck structure will need to bolt to those steel columns, and once the deck structure has been completed, the brick veneer columns would be built.

 

Appreciate the help, thanks muh dude! Whether a designer, structural engineer, or mason, what literature would they use as a reference, and be judged against, to reinforce or rebuild the brick columns that an inspector or appraiser would also reference when determining the integrity of the structure? Sounds like according to you and the DCA6, I need to tear out the current brick columns and replace them with 6x6, and brick be damned.

 

Depends on what code your area goes by but one reference would be R606.12.2.3.2 Connections to masonry columns. (And brick veneer alone is not a masonry column... they are referring to a concrete and rebar reinforced column that can resist all forces... uplift, lateral, etc)

Connectors shall be provided to transfer forces between masonry columns and horizontal elements in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.1.4 of TMS 402. Where anchor bolts are used to connect horizontal elements to the tops of columns, the bolts shall be placed within lateral ties. Lateral ties shall enclose both the vertical bars in the column and the anchor bolts. There shall be not less than two No. 4 lateral ties provided in the top 5 inches (127 mm) of the column.

Yes, it would be far easier and far less expensive to eliminate the brick. Another way to do it without the steel that would conform to the code above would be to use concrete/ rebar reinforced piers on top of your footings, or put hollow concrete block on top of your footings and fill it with rebar reinforced concrete. Then brick around that.

But it gets a little complicated as the diameter of the column needs to get larger the higher the deck is above grade. (See all of IRC 606, TMS 402, TMS 403, TMS 404.)

You could brick around 6x6s (after framing inspection) but IMO that's not a wise choice. And if you did you would surely want to include weep holes and then waterproof the top of the brick column veneer with a membrane cap.

Like I mentioned, the architects and engineers are the experts on the codes... and masons on their particular trade. And your local inspector has final say, so with anything out of the norm it's wise to consult them before you start, lay out your plan of attack and ensure they have no concerns before starting. So that's about the extent of advice I could give.

 

This is the sort of anchor you'd need to use to tie your deck beam to your reinforced masonry columns.

https://fastoolnow.com/simpson-stron...-strong-drive/