Removing wall without using supports

Hi

I have a building warrant and am now just starting to study the drawings submitted by my architect and structural engineer (SE). I plan to remove two walls of 2.5m and 1.5m; one is in the kitchen and the other in the bathroom. By removing the walls I will be making what are two compartments a single larger space.

My SE has produced a scheme where I insert pad stones, then slide two beams (178x102x19) on either side of the wall to be removed sitting 150mm on each padstone. Then I remove a brick at a time and insert a 300x250x25 thick steel plate, followed by steel folding wedges driven in from each side to pack above.

I’m new to this, however while it does seem a nifty way to remove the wall without the use of supports, i’m using 2 beams for each wall, and the steel plates are £20 each, and steel wedges are about £12 a pair. About £300 for plates and £200 for wedges. And about £350 for 4 beams.

Thoughts on this method? Also, any idea where I can buy steel folding wedges?

Cheers

Daljit

Sounds novel. Is there some reason you can't use Acros (with spreaders or strongboys) in the traditional fashion?
And you could (check with SE) eliminate your steel wedges...set your beams so beam top is about 30 mm below the brick line you are retaining. Stitch drill/chisel the mortar course out and enough of the brick below to get your 25mm plate in. Fill the 5mm gap with slate. Next plate.

That sounds a good approach to me. However it’s a ground floor tenement flat with considerable weight above which is I’m guessing why it seems so high spec. Beams will sit proud of the removed wall so will be a wider box on show. This will encroach cornice in one room I’m imagining, which might look untidy.

spoke to SE, he’s keen to stick to his plan.

That's a big drawback (beams proud of the wall), yes cornice will look a bit silly, you might be better off creating a batten frame to continue the beam line to the floor (so it looks like a very thick wall on the cornice side).
Ask the SE where to get these folding wedges from, they're his cunning plan after all

Ground floor of an Edinburgh tenement - that’s a lot of weight! Check everyone’s insurance before you start!