Shelf angle
In
angle which supports the weight of brick or stone veneer
and transfers that weight onto the main structure of the building so that a gap or space can be created beneath to allow building movements to occur.
Background
Traditional
lintels or masonry arches
.
Modern buildings
The invention of
structural columns. Shelf angles are in reality a horizontal expansion joint which allows growth of the brick below the shelf angle and to allow movement or shrinkage of the frame without putting stresses on the brick veneer. [2]
In the United States, common sizes for steel shelf angles include L 3" x 3" x 1/4" and L 4" x 4" x 1/4".In the UK and Europe shelf angles / masonry support are predominantly manufactured in stainless steel to prevent corrosion and failure. These are bespoke to the building's frame and engineered to take the loads required.
References
See also
Ramsey, Charles (2000). Hoke, John Ray Jr. (ed.). Architectural Graphics Standards (10th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-34816-3.