Cracking after RSJ

[htfcguesty]

Hi All,

Recently had an RSJ installed. Specified by an SE. Noticed some cracking in external brickwork and movement internally (4mm). Is this normal?

 

[johnny2007]

Oh dear!
Where's the rsj in relation to the window?
I suppose at the bottom of it, in the ceiling below to create an open space, correct?

 

[htfcguesty]

You are correct. The two windows on the pics are at either end of the RSJ. The RSJ is 6.2m long so fairly substantial.
I was expecting some movement but is this ok.
Building Control are out tomorrow, do I ask them?

 

[johnny2007]

Difficult to say.
It might be a dodgy installation, rsj not to spec, etc.
See what building control says, but I don't think they'll be impressed.

 

[htfcguesty]

Thanks Johnny.

 

[tony1851]

What section size is the steel beam?

 

[htfcguesty]

What section size is the steel beam?

It’s a chunky thing. 305 x 305 x 97 UC

 

[tony1851]

Assuming no unusually high loading (is it a three-storey house?) that is a good section size for that span.
All beams bend under load, and some cracking might have been caused by the deflection. But it can also be due to careless removal of the props and/or insufficient packing.

It's usually a one-time event with steel beams and is unlikely to get any worse.
Just re-point the external brickwork (might not get a perfect match ) and internally apply some filler and skim below the window.

Trying to hold either the SE or the builder liable would be an uphill struggle;I suspect the Inspector would want to keep out of it.

 

[htfcguesty]

Assuming no unusually high loading (is it a three-storey house?) that is a good section size for that span.
All beams bend under load, and some cracking might have been caused by the deflection. But it can also be due to careless removal of the props and/or insufficient packing.

It's usually a one-time event with steel beams and is unlikely to get any worse.
Just re-point the external brickwork (might not get a perfect match ) and internally apply some filler and skim below the window.

Trying to hold either the SE or the builder liable would be an uphill struggle;I suspect the Inspector would want to keep out of it.

Thanks Tony for tanking the time to respond. Your general conclusion is what I was thinking through in my head last night.

Its a two story house, everyone who has visited has said the beam looks huge! Would rather it be a good substantial size though.

As you say hopefully its a one time event. We did not decorate upstairs for this purpose entirely so it will be all be filled later this year.

Thank you.

 

[Mottie]

Looks like the pointing has already been attempted in the second photo.

 

[htfcguesty]

Looks like the pointing has already been attempted in the second photo.

Yea, that was from the removal of the old conservatory from the flashing that came out.

 

[^woody^]

No it's not normal. Totally abnormal.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Looking at the first picture makes me seasick.

Andy

 

[SpecialK]

Is there something wrong with your camera or are the window sills also bent?

 

[^woody^]

Is there something wrong with your camera or are the window sills also bent?

That's common when the numpties jack the props up too far, pushing the wall up and bending the cills. Then all the wall stays up and drops later, or as maybe in this case, one section of the wall drops and the other stays up.