The Side Mounting Rap-Tie System (Rod Adjustable Plate Tie system) consists of a Plate (a vertically orientated, flat plate), a V-Tie™ (a V-shaped wire), and an Insulation Support (optional, but recommended). These individual components are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The installed tie system is shown in the Cover Illustration and Figure 4.

Tensile and compressive lateral loads applied to the masonry veneer are transferred through the V-Tie™ to the Plate, which is fastened directly to the structural backing without any intervening material such as sheathing. The Plate is fastened to the side surface of a structural backing member such as a steel stud web, wood stud, or miscellaneous steel (see Cover illustration, and Figure 4). The holes along the outboard end of the Plate through which the V-Tie™ is inserted provide a positive connection, without the possibility of V-Tie™ disengagement during construction and in-service (in accordance with requirements in CSA A370, “Connectors for Masonry”, and ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402, “Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures”), and permit up to 36 mm (1.4”) of in-situ vertical adjustment so that a bed joint in the masonry veneer will always be coincident with the V-Tie™.

The Insulation Support, inserted over the end of the Plate and restrained by the V-Tie™, is optionally used to securely and mechanically fix cavity insulation in place.

The Side Mounting Rap-Tie system can accommodate a range of insulation thicknesses from 0 to 102 mm (0 to 4”), and air space widths of 25 mm (1”) and greater. The Plate has sufficient length to accommodate the thickness of the cavity insulation, and further extends 18 mm (0.7”) into the air space to expose its leading edge and facilitate in-situ placement of the V-Tie™ and optional Insulation Support. The V-Tie™ is inserted through the appropriate hole along the leading edge of the Plate, coincident with the mortar bed joint of the masonry veneer, so as to extend horizontally and normally to the structural backing without reducing tie capacity. The legs of the V-Tie™ are positioned along the centreline of the veneer within the placement tolerances permitted by the building code having jurisdiction. Adjustment normal to the wall is facilitated by selecting an appropriate length of V-Tie™.

The Side Mounting Rap-Tie system has been engineered to eliminate many issues problematic for a multi-component tie. It offers positive restraint between tie components to prevent disengagement, reduced mechanical free play, limited deformation under load, and “side mounting”, which places the fastener connecting the tie and structural backing in shear rather than direct tension. This fastener orientation, and the inboard position of the fastener within the wall system, provide a more desirable connection to the structural backing than surface-mounted tie systems which subject the fasteners to direct tension and generally higher moisture loads. Side mounting reduces the likelihood of corrosion at the fastener/structural member interface.