Infill CMU Wall Opening

[spats]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to infill a window opening in a CMU wall with block? Can they practically get the top course properly bonded to the existing lintel? Is there any way to reinforce the infill without breaking out the face of cells? Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[KootK]

There may be grouted cells either side of the window that you could drill and epoxy dowels into to lap with horizontal reinforcing. The top and the vertical reinforcing are obviously much trickier. What are the dimensions of this opening?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[XR250]

You could weld some 8" long pieces of rebar to the lintel and bust out the faces of the top blocks to install if the opening is not too big.

 

[KootK]

Another good question, is the existing lintel steel or lintel block?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[spats]

The opening is a window with transom above in a house. The window is only 3'x3'-8" with a 8" high lintel, then a 16" tall transom above. It's tiny, but it seems like there should be some kind of reinforcing. The house is on the hurricane coast in Florida and, believe it or not, the building department wants signed and sealed drawings. Just trying to help the guy out.

 

[jayrod12]

I would do dowels into the sides at that size of window and consider it spanning horiozntally. Use knock-out blocks for each course and a dowel at each level. I'm not sure what kind of wind loads we're talking about but I might be comfortable with dowels into every second course and grout the thing solid.