Hanger Reinforcement For Corbels

Brackets and corbels are increasingly used to transfer loads to beam and wall elements. Where corbels are located along the bottom of spandrel beams or just above wall openings, hanger reinforcement is needed to transfer the applied load to the upper region of the member. This paper reviews past practices and proposes revised equations for the design of corbel hanger reinforcement. The recommended procedure accounts for the eccentricity of the applied load as well as shear and torsion carried by the member below the applied load. Unlike past practices, accounting for eccentricity of the applied load will avoid hanger reinforcement deficiencies that could require retrofit or cause structural failure.