The inquiry
Who is responsible for the expansion-joint layout?
A masonry contractor was asked by the project architect to provide an expansion-joint layout for brick veneer. After reviewing the documents, the contractor was not comfortable assuming that design responsibility and requested a code reference for its response.
The questionShould the masonry contractor determine where brick-veneer expansion joints are located, or should the locations be established by the architect or engineer?
The expert answer
The first step is to distinguish the wall materials correctly. Clay brick masonry uses expansion joints because the material experiences net expansion. Concrete masonry uses control joints because CMU experiences net shrinkage.
The source response noted that TMS 402-16 addressed veneer isolation in certain seismic conditions but did not provide a complete expansion-joint layout for the project. It therefore directed the contractor to the specification checklists accompanying TMS 602-16 and their instruction that the architect or engineer indicate the type and location of movement joints on the project drawings.
Spacing alone is not a complete design
Expansion joints are located for specific reasons, including wall geometry, openings, corners, offsets, changes in height, restraint, support conditions, and expected material movement. A note stating only that joints must not exceed a certain spacing does not necessarily identify the locations needed for the wall to perform properly.
BIA Technical Notes 18 and 18A provide guidance on the causes of brick movement and the placement of expansion joints. Current BIA guidance commonly recommends closer spacing where openings occur, but the final layout must reflect the specific project and remain the responsibility of the qualified design professional.
Resolve the issue before construction
When expansion-joint locations are missing or unclear, the contractor should submit a written request for information and ask the architect or engineer to provide a coordinated layout. The subcontract and scope should also be reviewed so that design responsibility is not unintentionally assigned to the masonry contractor.
Key takeaways
Movement joints in clay brick masonry are expansion joints; movement joints in concrete masonry are control joints.
The project architect or engineer should indicate the type and location of movement joints in the construction documents.
A generic maximum-spacing note does not replace a coordinated joint layout based on the building geometry and wall conditions.
The masonry contractor should not accept responsibility for designing expansion-joint locations through an undefined subcontract requirement.
BIA Technical Notes 18 and 18A provide design guidance for brick movement and expansion-joint placement.
Unclear or missing joint locations should be addressed through a written request for information before construction.
Florida Masonry Note
Movement-joint requirements vary with the wall system, project geometry, materials, supports, openings, and governing documents. Use the edition of the code and specification adopted for the project, and obtain project-specific direction from the architect or engineer.