how to make lintel safe???

[goosebump]

We have just had two rooms knocked together, which needed 3 steel beams to be installed in place of the original exterior stone wall. Before installing the beams, the builder said he would take them over some brickwork, so that they were resting in the stone of the house. Due to the size of the stones that would need to be removed, he revised this plan and has installed the beams as shown.

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Basically, one end of the beams rests upon brickwork which used to form part of a window. The base of the brickwork has been undermined by removal of stones during the knock through, so right now its obvious that it would not support the beams. However, if the builder "fills in the gap" at the base of the bricks (and ties it into the existing stone structure? Doesnt seem to be at present) will there be enough bricks to support the beams?

I will be asking him about this tomorrow, but would prefer to have others views before I start. thanks!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

what do building controls say?
I'd have thought it worth building the pillar from start and making sure it was tied in securely.
Who did the calculations?

 

[goosebump]

Structural engineer did the calcs, but wouldnt have known about the bricks and would have assumed stone. The padstone the builder used doesnt seem to be as large as the SE spec either (fits neatly under 6" of the beam ends for the wall width, but doesnt seem to be deep enough).

 

[goosebump]

Just had another thought - given that the lintels rest on bricks that arent tied into the stone wall, does this mean the structural engineeers calcs are no longer valid?

And if I ask the builder to remove the existing bricks and re-do the pillar from scratch, would I need to re-consult the SE for the spec of the pillar? Am stressed about this now

 

[Ossy]

I'd email the picture to your SE and ask their advice. At the end of the day it will be the BCO who decides if he's happy with it but an email from the SE advising a course of action would back you up.

Personally I'd say rebuild the pillar on a decent footing tied into the existing wall and fit a proper padstone.

 

[goosebump]

Thanks Ossy,
Sensible course of action youve suggested, Ill follow it up.
Cheers