PAC-TIE SYSTEM
The Pac-Tie (Plate Adjustable Connector Tie) System consists of a slotted AB-Clip, a V-Tie™ (a V-shaped wire), and a Backer Plate. The individual components are shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The installed Pac-Tie System is illustrated in Figure 1.
The Pac-Tie System is an adjustable multi-component tie designed specifically to be placed on the surface of an intervening secondary component that is fastened directly to the structural backing (of wood/steel studs or otherwise). Secondary components include protected gypsum board and other common construction/structural sheathings permitted for use by the National Building Code of Canada and the International Building Codes. The Pac-Tie System is a “surface-mounted” masonry tie system.
The AB-Clip with Backer Plate are fastened to the structural backing through the intervening secondary component. Tensile lateral loads applied to the masonry veneer are transferred through the V-Tie™ and resisted by the AB-Clip and fasteners. Compressive lateral loads transferred through the V-Tie™ are resisted by the Backer Plate.
The vertical slot formed by the AB-Clip and Backer Plate, through which the wire V-Tie™ is inserted, provides a positive connection without the possibility of V-Tie™ disengagement during construction and in-service (in compliance with requirements in CSA A370, “Connectors for Masonry”, and ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402, “Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures”). The slot permits up to 30 mm (1.2”) of in-situ vertical adjustment, and also accommodates vertical differential movement between the masonry veneer and the structural backing.
Intervening secondary components must have sufficient compressive strength to convey incident lateral tie loads from the Backer Plate to their supporting primary structural components such as wood or steel studs. They also must satisfy the requirements for “structural integrity” stated in CSA A370, and protection requirements for exterior sheathing stated in ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402. These requirements relate to strength, resistance to moisture-related deterioration, and protection from moisture.
Using a Backer Plate, the Pac-Tie System prevents damage to the surface of construction/structural sheathings by distributing an otherwise concentrated compressive load from the wire V-Tie™ over a larger sheathing area. This maintains the tie system compression resistance and serviceability performance over the required service life of the exterior wall system.
