Brick Veneer Anchor Spacing and Count (TMS 402 / IBC 1405)
Anchor count = ceil(area / area-per-anchor) with the 32 in horizontal / 25 in vertical spacing caps...
Example
You enter
- Veneer wall area (ft²) 200
- Max area per anchor (ft²; 2.67, 2.0 high-demand) 2.67
- Max horizontal spacing (in) 32
- Max vertical spacing (in) 25
You get
- Anchors required 75
No published worked example is on file for this calculation. It is checked against a hand-worked derivation of its method and an independent reference test.
Details, formula, and sources
ScopeAnchor count = ceil(area / area-per-anchor) with the 32 in horizontal / 25 in vertical spacing caps (24 in under the IRC), per TMS 402 / IBC 1405. A 200 ft^2 veneer at 2.67 ft^2/anchor -> 75 ties; a 2.0 ft^2 limit (SDC D, or the IRC high-demand value) -> 100; IBC high wind cuts the area 30%. TMS 402 / IBC and the engineer of record govern.
Formula or tableanchors = ceil(area / area_per_anchor); area_per = 2.67 ft^2 typical (2.0 high-demand); max 32 in horizontal, 25 in vertical spacing (TMS 402; the IRC R703.8.4 cap is 24 in).
Source and editionTMS 402 (Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures) and IBC 1405 veneer-anchor provisions, by name.
Free accessThe veneer-anchor area and spacing limits are in TMS 402 and IBC Chapter 14 (many jurisdictions post the adopted IBC). TMS 402 / IBC and the engineer of record govern.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed professional govern.
API field namesarea_ft2, area_per, max_horiz_in, max_vert_in, anchors
- Area per anchor one anchor per <= 2.67 ft^2 (2.0 ft^2 high-demand); count = ceil(area/area_per)TMS 402 / IBC 1405
- Spacing caps max 32 in horizontal, 25 in vertical (24 in under the IRC); spacing can govern over areaTMS 402 / IBC; BIA TN 28
- Not anchor design verify the adopted edition and demand; does not design the anchorscope of this tile