IE20030741A1

IE20030741A1 - Steel frame tie

Info

Publication number: IE20030741A1
Application number: IE20030741A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Graham Law
Original assignee: Ancon Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-10
Filing date: 2003-10-07
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: GB2393978A; GB0223511D0; GB0323401D0

Abstract

A structural connection for securing an outer wall of brickwork (102) to a steel frame or metal substructure (100) of a building, such as steel studding, comprises and anchorage means (12. 212) for a wall tie (22, 222), fastening means (36) for fastening the anchorage means to the steel frame, and spacer means (14, 16) for spacing the anchorage means substantially at a predetermined distance from the steel frame when the anchorage means is fastened to the steel frame by the fastening means. The anchorage means (12, 212) may be a channel section having a longitudinal, vertically extending slot defined by lips (20). A first end of the wall tie (22, 222) engages by twisting in the slot of the anchorage means, while a second end (28, 228) of the wall tie is embedded in the brickwork (102). The fastening means (36) may be a self drilling, self tapping screw which engages with the steel frame. The spacer means (14, 16) may comprise at least two pairs of legs (214, 216) which extend from the anchorage means and engage against the steel frame as the fastening means is tightened. The wall ties (22, 122) can be positioned at any required height in the slot, to suit the levels of mortar (112) between bricks in the brickwork (102).

Description

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 ANL RULE 23 JNLNo^-6^~-...OFM^.te IE 03 0}j j STEEL FRAME TIE This invention relates to structural connections, and relates more particularly but not exclusively to wall ties for securing an outer wall of brickwork to an inner metal substructure of a building, such as steel studding. This invention also relates particularly but not exclusively to a method of fabricating a building which has a metal substructure and is brick-clad.

Steel-framed housing is widely known, and current levels of use of steel-framed housing in the United Kingdom are expected to increase within the foreseeable future. Steel-framed housing has the advantages of allowing precision fabrication in a factory, i.e. centralised fabrication within a controlled environment remote from the eventual site of the housing, which allows optimisation of fabrication procedures. Conversely, prefabrication allows increased rates of construction on site, and nrrct..... 4 . I it has been found that construction times can be reduced by half.

In steel-framed housing, wall ties are required to tie the outer brickwork cladding of the housing to the vertical steel members of the steel frame. Wall ties in steel-framed housing are also required to hold cavity insulation in place, such insulation typically being rigid and having a thickness in the range of 35 - 50 mm. In steel-framed housing, the vertical steel members are typically formed as vertically mounted channels or Z sections which are mutually horizontally spaced at appropriate intervals, typically 600 mm. One manufacturer's system uses channels typically measuring 90 mm wide and 31 mm deep, with the channel steel having a thickness of about 1.2 mm, but other dimensions are also used.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved structural connections, and to provide an improved method of prefabricating a building.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural connection particularly but not exclusively for enabling the securing of an outer wall of brickwork or blockwork to an inner steel frame, the structural connection comprising an anchorage means for a wall tie, fastening means for fastening the anchorage means to the steel frame, and spacer means for spacing the anchorage means substantially at a predetermined ,Ε°3074 ? distance from the steel frame when the anchorage means is fastened to the steel frame by the fastening means.

The anchorage means may comprise a length of channel section having a longitudinal slot or other opening enabling insertion into the interior of the channel section of part of a wall tie when the wall tie is in a first alignment relative to the channel section while preventing withdrawal of the inserted part of the wall tie when the wall tie is in a second alignment relative to the channel section. The longitudinal slot may have lips which engage with slots on the wall tie to prevent withdrawal of the wall tie. The lips may be locally deformed at the end to restrain the wall tie in the channel.

The spacer means may comprise a plurality of legs or other projections preferably integral with or permanently secured to the anchorage means. The legs or other projections may be welded to the anchorage means, or may be attached to the anchorage means by any suitable means, for example by brazing, adhesive bonding, interference fit or screw thread connection. The legs or other projections may be formed integrally with the anchorage means by casting or stamping and bending, or by any other suitable means. The legs or other projections are preferably formed to be insulation-piercing. The spacer means preferably provides at least three points of contact with the steel frame when the anchorage means is fastened to the steel frame, such ΙΕ ΟΪΟ74 7 contact conveniently being achieved by providing at least three legs or other projections. The legs or other projections may be secured to the length of channel section constituting the anchorage means in such a manner as to close the opposite ends of the length of channel. Alternatively, the legs or other projections may be secured to the length of channel section in such a way as to allow the inserted part of the wall tie to slide within the channel section past the legs or other projections. In a preferred embodiment the spacer means comprises two or more pairs of legs. Preferably the legs of each pair of legs are spaced transversely with respect to the length of channel section. Each pair of legs may be formed from a u-shaped member inserted through apertures in the length of channel sections and secured to the channel section by, for example, welding, brazing or bonding.

The fastening means may comprise any suitable form of fastener, and in a particularly simple form, the fastening means comprises a single self-drilling and self-tapping screw passing through a suitably dimensioned and preferably central hole in the anchorage means, the screw being of sufficient length to reach and penetrate the steel frame to an adequate depth despite the distancing effect of the spacer means .

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall tie assembly for securing an outer wall of brickwork or blockwork to IE03Q74 j an inner steel frame, the wall tie assembly comprising a structural connection according to the first aspect of the present invention, in combination with a wall tie adapted at an inner end thereof to be anchored in the anchorage means and adapted at an outer end thereof to be embedded in the brickwork.

The wall tie may comprise the non-channel component of any suitable channel-anchored wall tie system, the inner end of the wall tie being, for example, dovetailed or side-slotted or mushroom-ended for anchorage in a channel section, and the outer end of the wall tie being shaped for embedment in a mortar course of the brickwork. The wall tie preferably incorporates a drip-promoting means intermediate the inner and outer ends for inhibiting the passage of moisture along the wall tie. Suitable forms of wall tie are shown in Figure 7 of GB2255358A (the wall tie assemblies disclosed therein being per se unusable on steel-framed buildings).

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fabricating a building clad in brickwork or blockwork, the method comprising the steps of assembling a metal substructure of a building, providing a plurality of structural connections according to the first aspect of the present invention, fastening individual ones of the structural connections to the substructure frame at respective selected locations thereon, progressively assembling a cladding of brickwork or IE030J blockwork around the substructure by successive superimposition of bricks or blocks, and as an upper edge of the cladding approaches a given selected location during assembly of the cladding, anchoring the inner end of a wall tie in the anchorage means of the structural connection fastened to the substructure at that selected location and embedding the outer end of the wall tie in an adjacent portion of the cladding.

The entire plurality of structural connections may be fastened to the substructure prior to commencing assembly of the cladding, or individual ones of the structural connections may be fastened to the substructure immediately prior to their required incorporation into the building, or some at least of the plurality of structural connections may be fastened to the substructure after commencement of cladding assembly but prior to their being individually required. The structural connections are preferably fastened so that the slots extend vertically. The structural connections may be provided in discrete lengths or may be provided as continuous lengths extending substantially over the height of the cladding.

Slabs or mats of thermal insulation can be placed between the core and the cladding, the insulation preferably being secured in place by being clamped against the substructure by the anchorage means of the structural connections. The spacer means of the structural connection may pierce the insulation at ΙΕ 03074 ι the respective location where the insulation is clamped by that structural connection. Holding clips may be attached to the structural connections to assist in holding the insulation against the substructure .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building which is steel framed and brick clad, the building having been fabricated by the method according to the third aspect of the present inventions so as to incorporate a plurality of wall tie assemblies according to the second aspect of the present invention, each said wall tie assembly comprising a respective structural connection according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wall tie assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively an elevation and an end view of a length of channel section forming part of the wall tie assembly of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are respective plan views of two complementary spacers forming an integral part of the wall tie assembly of Figure 1; IE 03 07 I Figure 6 is a plan view of a wall tie forming part of the wall tie assembly of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the wall tie assembly of Figure 1 in use to tie brick cladding to a steel frame; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a wall tie assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the end of the wall tie assembly of Figure 8 with an alternative end detail; Figures 10 and 11 are respectively an elevation and an end view of a length of channel section forming part of the wall tie assembly of Figure 8; Figure 12 is a plan view of a wall tie forming part of the wall tie assembly of Figure 8; Figure 13 is a partial perspective view of the wall tie assembly of Figure 8 in use to tie brick cladding to a steel frame; and Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of the channel section of Figure 10 showing a holding clip during and after installation respectively.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6, a wall tie assembly 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a short length of channel section 12 to ?Ε 0 3 0 7 respective opposite ends of which a single-legged spacer 14 and a two-legged spacer 16 are welded (see Figure 1). The spacers 14, 16 may be affixed by other means, for example bolting, if so required.

The channel section 12 has a shallow rectangular Cshaped cross-section (see Figure 3) with a wide slot 18 in one major face. The slot 18 has inturned lips 20 which allow the anchoring of a wall tie 22 whose inner end 24 is provided with side slots 26 dimensioned to be a sliding fit on the channel lips 20. The outer end 28 of the wall tie 22 is formed with an axially elongated hole 30 to assist in the embedment of the outer end 28 in the inter-brick mortar of a brick wall (not shown in Figure 1 but schematically illustrated in Figure 7). A fullwidth transverse downward projection 32 is formed in the wall tie 22 inboard of the hole 30 but outboard of the inner end 24 in order to encourage moisture travelling inward along the wall tie 22 to drip off the lowest level of the downward projection 32 and thereby inhibit dampness reaching the interior of the building.

A hole 34 which is centrally formed in the channel section 12 allows the insertion of a fastening screw 36 by which the channel section 12 can be fastened to the steel frame of a building, as will subsequently be described with reference to Figure 7. The screw 36 is conveniently in the form of a self-drilling, self-tapping screw of a kind known per se, which can be directly inserted into unprepared sheet steel. However any other fastener IE 03 074 1 suitable for engaging with a steel frame member maybe used.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, these Figures clearly show how the spacers 14 and 16 are complementary in shape, i.e. when nested, the spacers 14 and 16 combine to form a rectangle such that they can be cut from strip stock substantially without wastage of metal. The spacer 14 has a single central leg 38 with a pointed end 40. The spacer 16 has a bilaterally spaced pair of legs 42 with each leg 42 having a respective pointed end 44.

The points 40 and 44 facilitate penetration of insulation by the spacer legs 38 and 42, as will subsequently be detailed with reference to Figure 7.

The components 12, 14, 16 and 22 are conveniently formed by known techniques from sheet metal, the sheet metal from which the channel 12 is formed preferably having a thickness of about 1.5 mm, the sheet metal from which the spacers 14 and 16 are formed preferably having a thickness of about 2 mm, and the sheet metal from which the wall tie 22 is formed preferably having a thickness of about 2 mm. Typically the channel section 34 has a length of 80 or 90 mm, a width of 25 mm and a depth of 9 or 14 mm, while the tie 22 typically has a length of 120 mm and a width of 20 mm. The spacers 14, 16 typically have a length of 50 mm. However it is to be understood that the dimensions are given by way of example only, and the components may be provided in any suitable dimensions to suit the IE 0 3 Q j $ ? constructional dimensions of the building in which they are to be used.

The material or materials from which the components of the wall tie assembly are formed can be stainless steel, or some other suitable steel which may be galvanised, phosphated, or coated in a manner to obviate or mitigate corrosion. Other metals or alloys may also be used, particularly if the building frame is of a material other than steel, for example aluminium alloy.

Referring now to Figure 7, this is a simplified and semi-schematic diagram illustrating the installation and use of a wall tie assembly 10 (as previously detailed with reference to Figures 1 to 6). In Figure 7, the reference 100 designates part of the metal substructure of a building (the remainder of which is not shown). In the example the substructure is a frame of steel studding, but the substructure can be any metal substructure, frame or core. The term steel frame when used in the specification is to be understood to encompass any metal frame or substructure.

A short distance outside the steel frame 100 (to the right of the steel frame 100 as viewed in Figure 1) is brickwork cladding 102 comprising successively applied courses of bricks 104, 106 and 108 (only the upper part of the course 104 being depicted in Figure 7). Conventional layers of mortar 110 and 112 are applied between the successive courses 104, IE OSQjQ j 106 and 108. The term brick is to be understood to include any block-type building component.

It is assumed for the purpose of the exemplary wall tie installation illustrated in Figure 7 that the brickwork cladding 102 is to be tied to the steel frame 100 at a location which is selected to be vertically between the courses 104 and 106, the location also being selected to be horizontally located in the vertical sectional plane depicted in Figure 7. Immediately prior to installation of the wall tie assembly 10, it is assumed that either the cladding 102 is entirely absent, or that the course 104 has been laid but the courses 106 and 108 have not yet been laid. It is also assumed that a slab 114 of rigid thermal insulation is to be installed in the cavity between the steel frame 100 and the cladding 102.

Wall tie installation commences with the provision of a structural connection comprising the integral assembly of the channel section 12 and the spacer assembly comprising the rigidly-attached spacer legs 14 and 16 (i.e. the structural connection consists of the wall tie assembly 10 minus the wall tie 22 and minus the fastening screw 36). Installation commences with the emplacement of the insulation slab 114 against the exposed exterior of the steel frame 100 at the intended location of the insulation. 13 ΙΕΰ3 074ί The structural connection is then placed against the exterior surface of the emplaced insulation slab 114 (the right side of the slab 114 as viewed in Figure 7), the structural connection being vertically located such that the channel slot 18 vertically overlaps the top of the course 104 wherein the wall tie 22 is intended eventually to be embedded (as will subsequently be explained in detail). The structural connection is then forced inwards (leftwards as viewed in Figure 7) such that the points 40 and 44 penetrate the insulation slab 114, followed by the spacer legs 38 and 42, until the points 40 and 44 come into contact with the exterior surface of the steel frame 100 (the rightward surface as viewed in Figure 7). It is to be noted that whereas the spacer legs 38 and 42 readily penetrate the insulation slab 114, there is substantially no penetration of the steel frame 100 by the spacer legs 38 and 42. Although the ends of the spacer legs 38, 42 are shown as points 40, 44, it is envisaged that the ends may be rounded, flat or square .

The first stage of installation is completed by providing the fastening screw 36 (of suitable dimensions), pushing the screw 36 through the central hole 34 in the back of the channel section 12 and through the underlying insulation until the point of the screw 36 contacts the exterior surface of the steel frame 100, and thereafter applying a suitable combination of torque and axial pressure to the screw 36 such that the screw 36 initially self14 drills a hole into the steel frame 100 and then self-taps that hole, with the screw 36 subsequentlybeing screwed into that now-threaded hole finally to hold the structural connection firmly against the steel frame 100. The spacers 14 and 16 hold the channel section 12 away from the steel frame 100 by about the thickness of the insulation slab 114 such that the insulation is not crushed flat by the installation of the wall tie assembly. The points 40 and 44 provide three-point contact with the steel frame 100 such that although only a single fastening screw 36 is utilised, the channel section 12 is firmly fastened in a fully stable position. The points 40 and 44 may indent the steel frame 100 just sufficiently to enhance stability of position by inhibiting skidding of the spacer legs 38 and 42 across the outer surface of the steel frame 100.

Once the structural connection is securely installed (as detailed above), wall tie installation is completed by the additional steps of providing an initially separate wall tie 22, holding the tie 22 longitudinally horizontal but turned so that its major faces are substantially vertical, placing the inner end 24 of the wall tie 22 through the slot 18 to be located inside the channel section 12, and turning the tie 22 through a quarter-turn until the slots 26 engage around the lips 20 of the slot 18 of the channel section 12. The quarter-turn is necessarily in a direction which causes the projection 32 to point downwards at the finish of installation in order to provide effective shedding IΕ 03Qjq j of inward-travelling moisture. Alternatively, the wall tie 22 could be double-cranked such as to form a bi-directional drip which will be functionally effective whichever face of the member 22 finishes uppermost.

Finally, the mortar layer 110 is applied to the upper face of the brickwork course 104, and the outer end 28 of the tie 22 is embedded in the mortar of this layer 110, whereafter the next brickwork course 106 is laid on top.

Compared to full-height channels, the channel section 12 is relatively short, with consequent savings of metal. The channel section 12 is only long enough to make its installation location minimally critical, i.e. the installation location needs only to vertically overlap the top of the brickwork course 104. However, by making the length of the channel section 12 just greater than the vertical separation of two successive mortar layers, the cladding 102 could, if desired, be tied on both vertical sides of a given course by anchoring two wall ties at vertically spaced locations in a single channel section, thereby to form a double wall tie assembly. For example, with reference to Figure 7, a second wall tie (not shown) could be anchored in the upper end of the channel section 12 and embedded in the mortar layer 112 on the other side of the brickwork course 106 from the mortar layer 110 in which the wall tie 22 is embedded.

IE 03 07 4 1 Referring now to Figures 8 to 12, a second embodiment of a wall tie assembly 210 in accordance with the invention is shown. The assembly 210 and its components function in the same manner as the wall tie assembly 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 and its method of use in steel frame constructions, being the same, will not be described here. However the method of fabrication differs slightly.

The wall tie assembly 210 comprises a short length of channel section 212 near respective opposite ends of which spacers 214, 216 are fixed. Each pair of spacers 214, 216 is formed from a U-shaped rod or wire 218 which is inserted through apertures 240 in the channel section 212. Typically the spacers 214, 216 are of 3 mm diameter and have flat or pointed ends to pierce the insulation. If required the ends of the spacers 214, 216 can be provided with insulating caps to reduce cold bridging. The rod 218 may be affixed by welding, brazing, adhesive bonding or any other suitable means. The channel section 212 has a shallow rectangular C-shaped cross-section (see Figure 11) with a wide slot 18 in one major face. The slot 18 is provided at each side thereof with inturned lips 20 which allow the anchoring of a wall tie 222 whose inner end 224 is provided with side slots 226 dimensioned to be a sliding fit on the channel lips 20. The inner end 224 is also provided with a cut-out portion to enable the tie to slide along the channel over the heads of the screws 36. The outer end 228 of the IE OS 074 j wall tie 222 is formed with a plurality of holes 230 and recesses 234 to assist in the embedment of the outer end 228 in the inter-brick mortar of a brick wall, as described above with reference to Figure 7. A full-width transverse downward projection 232 forms a drip in the wall tie 222 as described above with reference to Figure 6.

In the embodiment of Figure 8 the end portions 238 of the lips 20 of the channel section 212 are bent down to prevent the wall tie 222 from sliding out of the channel slot 18, since the lugs 236 formed at the inner end 224 of the wall tie 222 are too large to pass the bent end portions 238. In the embodiment of Figure 9 the bent end portions 238 are replaced by depressed portions 239 which serve the same function. Alternatively, the end portions 238 can be deformed upwards or downwards so the side slots 226 in the wall tie cannot pass the end portions 238.

A hole 34 which is centrally formed in the channel section 212 allows the insertion of a fastening screw 36 by which the channel section 12 can be fastened to the steel frame of a building, as described above with reference to Figure 7.

The material or materials from which the components of the wall tie assembly are formed can be stainless steel, or some other suitable steel which may be galvanised, phosphated, or coated in a manner to obviate or mitigate corrosion. Other metals or IE 03fl7 1 alloys may also be used, particularly if the building frame is of a material other than steel, for example aluminium alloy.

Figure 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. The channel section 312, which is similar in all other respects to the channel 212 shown in Figures 8 to 12, is provided in a continuous length and self drill self tap screws 36 are provided, typically at 450 mm centres, through pre-drilled holes 34 to fix the channel 312 and the insulation material 114 to the steel studding 100. Spacers 214, 216 are secured to the channel 312, typically at 225 mm centres. Ties 22, 222 are installed at the spacing required by local conditions and building regulations. The system offers the advantage that the channel 312 can be fixed well in advance of the construction of the brickwork or blockwork 102.

In certain circumstances the vertical joints between adjacent sheets of insulation material 114 may coincide with the positions of the vertical channel sections 312. In such cases the channel sections may not be wide enough to hold the sheets during installation, and it has been found beneficial to provide holding clips 250, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, which engage in a snap fit manner around the channel section 312. The flanges of the holding clips serve to hold the edges of the sheets of insulation material 114 against the steel studding 100. To fit the holding clip 250, it is brought up IE 0 3 0 7 4 J against the channel 312 to the position shown in Figure 14 . The clip 250 is then pressed onto the channel 312 until it is in the position shown in Figure 15, in which the flanges of the clip 250 are co-planar with the web of the channel 312, so that both the flanges of the clip 250 and the web of the channel 312 abut the sheets of insulation material 114. The clips 250 increase the effective width of the channel section 312. The clips 250 may be used to aid the fixing of the channels over joints in the sheets of insulation. Once the channels 312 are fixed they may be removed and reused, if required.

While certain alternative forms of the invention have been described above, the invention is not restricted thereto, and other modifications and variations can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A structural connection for securing an outer wall of brickwork or blockwork to an inner metal frame, the structural connection comprising an anchorage means for a wall tie, fastening means for fastening the anchorage means to the steel frame, and spacer means for spacing the anchorage means substantially at a predetermined distance from the steel frame when the anchorage means is fastened to the steel frame by the fastening means.

2. A structural connection according to claim 1, wherein the anchorage means comprises a length of channel section having a longitudinal opening enabling insertion into the interior of the channel section of part of a wall tie when the wall tie is in a first alignment relative to the channel section while preventing withdrawal of the inserted part of the wall tie when the wall tie is in a second alignment relative to the channel section.

3. A structural connection according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal slot has lips which engage with slots on the wall tie to prevent withdrawal of the wall tie.

4. A structural connection according to claim 3, wherein the lips are locally deformed at at least one end of the length of channel section to restrain the wall tie in the channel. IE 03 {J 7 4 j

5. A structural connection according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer means comprises a plurality of legs projecting from the anchorage means in a direction substantially opposite to the wall tie.

6. A structural connection according to claim 5, wherein the legs comprise the legs of a U-shaped member secured to the anchorage means.

7. A structural connection according to claim 6, wherein legs of the U-shaped member extend through apertures provided in the anchorage means.

8. A structural connection according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the spacer means comprises two or more pairs of legs.

9. A structural connection according to claim 8, wherein the legs of each pair of legs are spaced transversely with respect to the longitudinal length of the anchorage means.

10. A structural connection according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastening means comprises one or more self-drilling and self-tapping screws, each passing through a hole in the anchorage means .

11. A wall tie assembly for securing an outer wall of brickwork or blockwork to an inner steel frame, the wall tie assembly comprising a structural IE O3o j 4 j connection according to any of claims 1 to 10 and one or more wall ties adapted at an inner end thereof to be anchored in the anchorage means and adapted at an outer end thereof to be embedded in the outer wall.

12. A wall tie assembly according to claim 11, wherein the anchorage means comprises a length of channel section having a longitudinal opening enabling insertion into the interior of the channel section of part of one of said wall ties when the wall tie is in a first alignment relative to the channel section while preventing withdrawal of the inserted part of the wall tie when the wall tie is in a second alignment relative to the channel section.

13. A wall tie assembly according to claim 12, wherein the wall tie has an inner end being dovetailed or side-slotted or mushroom-ended for anchorage in the channel section, and an outer end being shaped for embedment in a mortar course of the brickwork.

14. A wall tie assembly according to claim 12, wherein the wall tie incorporates a drip-promoting means intermediate the inner and outer ends for inhibiting the passage of moisture along the wall tie .

15. A method of fabricating a metal framed building clad in brickwork or blockwork, the method ΙΕ ΰίοζ 4 f comprising the steps of assembling a metal substructure of a building, providing a plurality of structural connections according to any of claims 1 to 10, fastening individual ones of the structural connections to the metal substructure at respective selected locations thereon, progressively assembling a cladding of brickwork or blockwork around the substructure by successive superimposition of bricks or blocks, and as an upper edge of the cladding approaches a given selected location during assembly of the cladding, anchoring the inner end of a wall tie in the anchorage means of the structural connection fastened to the metal substructure at that selected location and embedding the outer end of the wall tie in an adjacent portion of the cladding.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the entire plurality of structural connections is fastened to the steel frame prior to commencing assembly of the cladding.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the anchorage means comprise lengths of channel section having a longitudinal opening, and the structural connections are fastened so that the longitudinal openings extend vertically.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lengths of channel section are fastened in discrete lengths. IE 03014 ,

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the lengths of channel section extend substantially over the height of the cladding.

20. The method of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein slabs or mats of thermal insulation are placed between the substructure and the cladding, the insulation being secured in place by being clamped against the substructure by the anchorage means of the structural connections.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the spacer means of the structural connection pierces the insulation at the respective location where the insulation is clamped by that structural connection.

22. A building having a brick clad substructure fabricated by the method according to any of claims 15 to 21, including a plurality of wall tie assemblies according to any of claims 11 to 14.