Historically, finned or buttressed walls have been used to provide
lateral support to tall single storey masonry structures such as
churches and cathedrals. Modern applications are similar in
principle and include theatres, gymnasiums, warehouses, etc. Where
space permits, they are an economic alternative to masonry
cladding of steel or reinforced concrete framed buildings. The fin or
pier is preferably brick bonded to the main wall. It may also be
connected with horizontally bedded wall ties, sufficient to resist
vertical shear stresses between fin and wall.Structurally, the fins are deep piers which reinforce solid or cavity
masonry walls. For design purposes the wall may be considered as
a series of `T' sections composed of a flange and a pier. If the wall
is of cavity construction, the inner leaf is not considered for
bending moment calculations, although it does provide stiffening to
the outer leaf or flange.Masonry Fin Walls