Hi guys,
I'm installing and pair (cavity wall) of RSJs spanning a 2900mm opening to open my kitchen out into a kitchen-diner. I've had the necessary calcs done for the beam and submitted application to BC... My SE has spec'd that I need to build up piers either end of the RSJ 150mm x 300mm (300mm across the cavity wall and 150mm for UB to sit on). What's the easiest brick / block size to create these piers - I'm trying to avoid cutting every brick to size. I've looked at using engineering bricks 102.5x65x215mm on their sides arranged 2 parallel to the wall and 1 cut to size across the ends (perpendicular to the other 2) - hope that makes sense... Alternatively my SE suggested "3xno. 100x225 blocks cut down to pier size" - I presume this means 100x215x440mm dense concrete blocks cut down from 440mm to say ~140mm - would this approach be better / is it OK since there is no differing bond pattern between the courses? Or have I misunderstood my SE?
Also, to bond the piers to the existing walls would brick ties be OK? The house is a 1930s build and the block construction of the cavity walls would make it difficult to cut out any blocks to fit overlapping blocks into the piers.
Any help on the above would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I'm installing and pair (cavity wall) of RSJs spanning a 2900mm opening to open my kitchen out into a kitchen-diner. I've had the necessary calcs done for the beam and submitted application to BC... My SE has spec'd that I need to build up piers either end of the RSJ 150mm x 300mm (300mm across the cavity wall and 150mm for UB to sit on). What's the easiest brick / block size to create these piers - I'm trying to avoid cutting every brick to size. I've looked at using engineering bricks 102.5x65x215mm on their sides arranged 2 parallel to the wall and 1 cut to size across the ends (perpendicular to the other 2) - hope that makes sense... Alternatively my SE suggested "3xno. 100x225 blocks cut down to pier size" - I presume this means 100x215x440mm dense concrete blocks cut down from 440mm to say ~140mm - would this approach be better / is it OK since there is no differing bond pattern between the courses? Or have I misunderstood my SE?
Also, to bond the piers to the existing walls would brick ties be OK? The house is a 1930s build and the block construction of the cavity walls would make it difficult to cut out any blocks to fit overlapping blocks into the piers.
Any help on the above would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!