NCMA TEK

National Concrete Masonry Association

an information series from the national authority on concrete masonry technology

FLOOR AND ROOF CONNECTIONS TO TEK 5-7A

Details (2001)
CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS
Keywords: connections, floor systems, hollowcore, floor system. Hangers are generally anchored to a wall
joists, ledger, loadbearing concrete masonry, pocket, through a joint and into a bond beam. However, hangers
roof systems, trusses approved for direct attachment to the surface of a masonry
wall are also available.
· Ledger Connection – As with hangers, ledger connec-
INTRODUCTION
tions minimize the impact on the continuity of a masonry
wall. A ledger connection reduces the necessary pre-plan-
Floor and roof systems for use with loadbearing struc-
ning and does not unduly impact the mason’s work as opposed
tural concrete masonry walls serve three primary functions:
to a pocket connection; thereby reducing the number of field
they transmit the vertical dead load and live load to the bearing
modifications.
walls; they function as diaphragms, transmitting lateral wind
Note: Most of the connections herein depict flashing for
and seismic loading through the walls to the foundation; and
water penetration resistance which should be used in all exterior
they act to support the walls from out-of-plane loads. In
walls. Normally flashing is not provided in interior walls.
addition to these structural functions, floors and roofs should
provide a satisfactory barrier to the transmission of sound,
FLOOR AND ROOFING SYSTEMS
fire, and heat. The many types of floor and roof systems in use
today are designed to satisfy all of these requirements in an
Several materials are common to roof and floor con-
economical manner.
struction. Wood, concrete, and steel are among the most
frequently used framing materials in these applications.
CONNECTIONS
Wood Systems
The transfer of loads between diaphragms and walls
Wood framed floors and roofs are common in residen-
requires the proper design and detailing of the connection
tial and low-rise construction. It is imperative when con-
linking these elements. Connections critical to the integrity
structing a wood-framed system that it not be in direct
of a structure. The connections detailed herein address
contact with the concrete masonry. Wood in contact with
minimal requirements. Additional requirements may be
masonry materials may absorb moisture present in the con-
necessary in some locals, particularly where earthquake and
crete masonry causing the wood to rot. To prevent the
high wind forces are to be resisted. The four primary types of
resulting unwanted decay, the lumber used should be pres-
connections, each having specific advantages, include:
sure-treated, naturally decay resistant, or have a moisture
· Direct Bearing Connection – The direct bearing connec-
barrier placed between the wood and the concrete masonry.
tion is often the simplest type of connection. This connec-
tion is used at the top of concrete masonry walls or when a
Steel Systems
change in wall thickness provides a ledge with sufficient
Steel-framed roofs using steel bar joints are very com-
bearing area as shown in Figure 1.
mon in commercial structures because they are capable of
· Pocket Connection – A pocket connection consists of
spanning long distances. Steel bar joists typically use pock-
framing the floor or roof system into a void in the masonry
eted or ledger connections to concrete masonry walls. Pro-
wall. This detail is used when masonry continues above
prietary systems that use concrete masonry units as a filler
(either as part of the wall or as a parapet) the connection
between the steel joists are also available.
location and eccentricity is to be minimized. Care must be
taken to insure that the use of a pocket does not interfere with
Concrete Systems
the continuity of the vertical reinforcement in the wall.
Concrete slabs can take many forms, including pre-
· Hanger Connection – When it is desired to maintain the
stressed, precast, and cast-in-place construction. Depending
continuity of the wall for structural, aesthetic, or construc-
upon the size and number of stories associated with a given
tion reasons, a wall hanger can be used to suspend the roof or

TEK 5-7A © 2001 National Concrete Masonry Association (replaces TEK 5-7 and TEK 17-5 )
 Superstructure
Blocking or band joist
Toenail or tie as required
Solid or filled masonry
unit to support flashing
Wood joist Stop flashing at
Cavity fill or inside of faceshell
other mortar Void/pocket
Sill (pressure treated collection device Fire-cut end of joist
or provide moisture barrier) (as required)
Anchorage as required 1 in. (25 mm) Sheathing
partially open
"L" shaped head
Reinforced bond beam joints for weeps
Concrete masonry wall at 32 in. (814 mm)
o.c.
Drip edge Wood joist
Figure 1—Direct Bearing Wood Floor Joist (ref. 2) Pressure treated or
provide moisture barrier
Reinforcement
Stop flashing at inside
Cavity fill or other mortar of faceshell Grout stop Concrete masonry bond beam
collection device Provide gap or moisture
barrier as required
Blocking or band joist Figure 5—Wood Floor Joist With Pocket
1 in. (25 mm) partially Sheathing
open "L" shaped head Wood joist
joints for weeps Toe nail or tie
at 32 in. (814 mm) as required

Drip edge Sill (pressure treated or

provide moisture barrier) 2 in. (51 mm) deep
Cavity fill or other Solid or filled
4 in. (102 mm) unit Anchorage as required unit to support
mortar collection device flashing
(solid or filled) to
Reinforced bond beam Reinforced
support flashing 1 in. (25 mm) partially
open "L" shaped head bond beam
Concrete masonry wall Ledger
joints for weeps
at 32 in. (814 mm)
Sheathing
Figure 2—Direct Bearing Wood Floor Joist Drip edge

Stop flashing at Grout stop

Cavity fill or other mortar inside of faceshell Wood joist
collection device Joist hanger; fasten
as required by Joist hanger
1 in. (25 mm) partially hanger manufacturer
open "L" shaped head Double (shown) or
Sheathing staggered anchor
joints for weeps bolt as required
Drip edge Wood joist
4 in. (102 mm) unit Reinforced
Figure 6—Wood Ledger and Hanger
(solid or filled) to bond beam
support flashing

Figure 3—Wood Floor Joist Hanger (ref. 2)

Concrete masonry wall

Stop flashing at Stop flashing at
inside of faceshell inside of faceshell
Cavity fill or Cavity fill or
other mortar 4 in. (102 mm) unit (solid or Provide gap or moisture
filled) to support flashing other mortar barrier as required
collection device collection device
Notch/pocket
1 in. (25 mm) Wood truss 1 in. (25 mm)
partially open partially open
"L" shaped head
joints for weeps "L" shaped head
at 32 in. (814 mm) joints for weeps
at 32 in. (814 mm)
o.c. o.c. Wood Truss
Drip edge Bearing truss hanger; Drip edge Reinforcement
fasten as required by hanger
Concrete manufacturer Bond beam
masonry wall
Reinforced bond beam

Figure 4—Wood Floor Truss Hanger (ref. 2) Figure 7—Wood Floor Truss Pocket (ref. 2)
 Sloping sheet metal coping
cap with cont. cleat. each side
Grout cores solid at anchor bolts
Wood Nailer with anchor bolts
Attachment strip
Cavity fill or other mortar
collection device Counter flashing
Standard unit with Sealant
inside faceshell and
part of web removed Stop flashing at inside of
Sill (pressure treated or faceshell (see TEK 19-2A)
provide moisture barrier) 1 in. (25 mm) partially
Toenail per open "L" shaped head Cant
code or use Anchor bolt or joints for weeps Parapet flashing
rated connector specialty anchor at 32 in. (814 mm) Sealant
as required
Drip edge Roofing membrane
Bond beam
Concrete masonry wall Solid unit notched
around joist steel
plate with anchor
Figure 8—Wood Roof Truss with Top Plate (ref. 2) Grout stop

Reinforced bond beam

Masonry wall Steel bar joist welded
or bolted to bearing
plate

Figure 11—Steel Joist with Pocket (ref. 3, 4, 5)

+
+
+
+
o
o
o
Moisture barrier
Uplift connector
as required
Reinforced bond beam
Concrete masonry wall Isolation joint
1 in. (25 mm) partially Steel bar joist welded or
Figure 9—Wood Roof Truss with Embedded open "L" shaped head bolted to ledger angle
Strap Anchor (ref. 2) joints for weeps
at 32 in. (814 mm)
Drip edge

Steel ledger angle

bolted to wall

1
Reinforced bond beam
2 in. (51 mm) min. to 4 /2 in.
(114 mm) max. cavity
Sloping sheet metal coping Figure 12—Steel Joist with Ledger Angle
cap with cont. cleat. each side
Attachment strip
Wood Nailer with anchor bolts
Counter flashing
Sealant
Cant
Wall ties (typ.) Parapet flashing
Sealant
Roofing membrane
Reinforced bond beam
Anchor bolts spaced
as required
Insulation

Steel Decking attached

Steel bar joist welded angle to steel
Cavity fill or other mortar
collection device or bolted to bearing angle as
1 in. (25 mm) partially plate required for
open "L" shaped head Reinforced bond beam diaphragm
joints for weeps shear transfer
Reinforced lintel
at 32 in. (814 mm) o.c.
Sealant at top of
Drip edge flashing unless self Concrete masonry wall
Steel shelf angle adhearing flashing or
tuck into mortar joint

Figure 10—Steel Joist Direct Bearing on Cavity Wall Figure 13—Steel Joist at Sidewall
 Stop flashing at inside
Cavity fill or other mortar of faceshell (see TEK 19-2A)
collection device
4 in. (25 mm) unit (solid
1 in. (25 mm) partially or filled) to support flashing
open "L" shaped head Hooked shear bar grouted
joints for weeps in slab keyway
at 32 in. (814 mm)
o.c. Topping if required
Drip edge
Reinforced
bond beam
Grout stop
Precast hollow core slab
Bearing strip
Hooked bar in wall at shear
bar (not required if vertical
reinforcement at this location)
Stop flashing at inside
Cavity fill or other mortar of faceshell (see TEK 19-2A)
collection device
4 in. (25 mm) unit (solid
1 in. (25 mm) partially or filled) to support flashing
open "L" shaped head Reinforcement with hooks
joints for weeps on both ends grouted
into broken core
at 32 in. (814 mm) o.c.
Topping if required
Drip edge
Grouted cells at
location of
shear bar
Reinforced
bond beam
Precast hollow core slab
Grout stop
Hooked bar in wall at shear
bar (not required if vertical
reinforcement at this location)

Figure 14—Concrete Hollowcore at Bearing (ref. 3) Figure 15—Hollowcore at Sidewall (ref. 3)

project, one concrete framing system may have unique ben-
efits over another. For example, hollow core prestressed
slabs can be erected quickly, without the need for formwork
or shoring. Where sufficient space is available at the job site,
precast slabs can be formed in stacks on-site, starting with the
roof slab and using the top surface of the lower slab as the
form for the next slab. Once cured, the precast slabs are lifted
to their final location. The use of cast-in-place concrete
floors and roofs, because of the time needed for forming,
pouring, finishing, and curing, requires a building plan which
is large enough to permit the masonry work to progress in one
part of the structure while the floor in another area is com-
pleted.
REFERENCES
1. Architectural and Engineering Concrete Masonry De-
tails for Building Construction, TR-95. National Concrete
Masonry Association, 1973.
2. Concrete Masonry Homes: Recommended Practices.
U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office
of Policy Development and Research, 1999.
3. Design for Dry Single-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls,
TEK 19-2A. National Concrete Masonry Association, 1998.
4. Flashing Details for Concrete Masonry Walls, TEK
19-5A. National Concrete Masonry Association, 2000.
5. Generic Wall Design for Single-Wythe Loadbearing
Walls. Masonry Institute of Michigan, 2000.

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