Historic Masonry Facade Repairs: When to Call the Structural Engineer

Historic masonry buildings provide an important connection to a community’s past, but require additional care and attention to maintain performance and safety for building owners and occupants. Often, these buildings’ structures also serve as the facade, enhancing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation. When restoring these buildings, it is important to understand the building’s structure to provide a suitable repair that respects its architecture. Selecting appropriate materials and construction methods is important to achieve a finished product that is sensitive to the building’s historic character. In this webinar, we will describe various types of masonry buildings and explore common and unique types of masonry problems. We will also review what triggers a structural repair versus an aesthetic or building enclosure repair, and explore examples of structural details created to repair localized masonry problems.