Support of cast stone panels require due consideration to all applied forces.   These forces include dead load (self weight) and live loads (wind and seismic).   Often the most critical loading will be a combination of dead and live loads using the greater value of wind or seismic forces (if required by local building codes).   Keep in mind that dead loads are often applied with a certain amount of eccentricity which must be taken into account.  Under special conditions, temperature and volume changes can cause significant forces which need to be considered.  The following table shows the required formula necessary to determine the design wind pressure.

Anchorage of cast panels to the supporting structure is typically based on the allowable working stress of the anchor material.  The working stress for steel is recommended by American Stone Producers Association.  The typical working stresses for the cast stone are per the American Concrete Institute for normal weight concrete.

Two types of anchors support cast stone panels.  They are restraint anchors and support anchors.  Support anchors generally carry the self weight of the structure although, they can also function as a combination of support and restraint anchor.   Restraint anchors should be designed for live loads only (ie. wind or seismic forces).  A typical restraint anchor used would be a steel strap.  The following table shows allowable capacities of restraint anchors for two typical straps of various lengths.

The following table shows the allowable shear capacities for stainless steel dowel pins of various diameters.

This general information has been assembled by the Cast Stone Institute.  The table values list only capacity of the metal anchors.  In most cases capacity of the cast stone material will be the limiting design factor.  For specific information pertaining to your project, consult your project engineer of record.