In a cavity wall with brick veneer and a 10 inch CMU backup, which component is structural?

• A. The 10 inch CMU backup.
• B. The brick veneer.
• C. The weather barrier.
• D. The insulation in the cavity.

Answer: (A)

In brick veneer over a CMU backup, the structural element is the backing wall itself. The 10-inch CMU backup carries the building’s vertical loads (gravity from floors and roof) and resists lateral forces such as wind. The brick veneer, while attached to the backup with metal ties, functions as an exterior finish and does not carry structural loads. The weather barrier and insulation in the cavity provide moisture protection and thermal performance, respectively, but do not contribute to structural capacity. So the CMU backup is the component that provides structural support.