A star plate is a decorative and structural iron casting bolted to the end of a steel tie rod that runs through a building. It distributes the tension of the rod across a wider area of the brickwork or masonry, preventing outward bowing and structural collapse. The star shape provides a good surface area while remaining aesthetically pleasing.
Heard on the job
Check the tension on that star plate before we start repointing the brickwork around it.
Also heard as
- pattress plate
- masonry star
- earthquake star