TABLE OF CONTENTS Afreestanding masonry wall can provide privacy for a patio, define the perimeters of a lawn or garden area, or act as a buffer to street noise. Masonry garden walls add an elegant touch to high-end homes and require far less maintenance by the homeowner than ordinary wood fences. Freestanding walls do not have a building frame or stud wall to provide lateral stability, so they must resist overturning forces with a wide footing, a height that is proportional to the wall thickness, and the stiffening effect of piers or pilasters.
Concrete footings provide stability against overturning for freestanding masonry walls. An inadequately sized footing or one that is set too shallow in the ground can cause the wall to lean. The bottom of a garden wall footing must be below the winter frost line to avoid displacement by frost heave (refer to the frost depth map in Figure 6-3 or consult your local building department). In warm climates where the frost depth is close to the surface, the bottom of the footing should be a minimum of 12 in. below grade so that it is supported on firm, undisturbed soil. For footings that must be set very deep, it will be more economical to build a concrete stem on the footing rather than building several courses of brick below the ground level. The soil under the footing must be of sufficient strength to withstand the weight of the wall without uneven settlement. If the soil under the...
