Hole in Retaining Wall

[tjacorn]

An egress well was installed in the wrong place in a foundation and now the architect wants to have it moved to where it should be. All the walls are all ready poured with #4 rebar running the length of the walls (horizontal) at about 3' o.c. (my guess - can be verified).

The architect wants to simply cut a hole in the wall and rebar to place another egress window in the correct place.

Is this even possible? Is there anyway to reinforce this hole post-pour?

 

[Qshake]

Where there's a will, there's a way.

While it may seem dumb at first, if the existing hole can't be salvaged for reasons of aligning with equipment or some other facility it was meant to provide acess to, an alternate can be accomplished.

The new hole can be oversized to expose the reinforcing that will need to be lapped or mechanically coupled while the necessary reinforcing is cut to provide for the hole. The additional bars that normally accompany holes can be placed. Once the sill has been place and the forms set, the entire area can then be re-poured.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[jike]

You could add pilasters or stiffening ribs on each side of the door as maybe necessary.

 

[DRC1]

If the bars are 34 @3ft c.c. then it is not heavily reinforced. Generally new bars can be drilled in and grouted to the the existing wall and the opening reinforced. The grouted dowels would transfer load via shear w/some tension capacity depending on installation. The opening is then reinforced and formed. A slightly wider opening, sometimes refered to as a birds mouth is left at the top. The concrete is poured to the top of the birds mouth. While the concrete is still green, the birds mouth form is striped away and the birds mouth is ground flush. An alternate method is to drill two holes in the top to the area to be poured. Grout is pumped in one hole until it returns out of the other. Note that if the wall will be exposed, the patch will be evident. to make the best possible mathch, be sure the supplier uses the same cement as in the original pour.