Opening in Existing Brick Wall

[kotichaz]

Hey all,

We currently have a project where the client is placing openings in an existing 16" wide unreinforced brick wall. Our plan is to support the opening with an L8x8x1/2" L-angle on each side of the brick wall with a closure plate welding them together. The issue we are facing is finding an appropriate column to support the double L-Angle header. Typically we use a c-channel that matches the wall width, but there are no c-channels that are easy to find with that width.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[BAretired]

You have provided very little information. A wall elevation would be helpful. Is it possible to use the existing bricks to support the lintels?

I don't like your choice of lintel, but perhaps you have a good reason for selecting double angles.

 

[kotichaz]

[URL unfurl="true"]https://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1692317821/tips/Document1_o4x5uu.pdf[/url]

Attached is an preliminary detail for the openings.

 

[GeorgeTheCivilEngineer]

Unless there's a really good reason why not... Insert temporary needle beams, install proper lintel, backfill bricks and make good.

 

[LittleInch]

Why do you want a column?

Won't the existing bricks supply enough strength to support your lintel?

What do your local building codes / inspectors say about this?

This is not an uncommon thing so apart form the rather thick walls (why so thick?) this is a normal activity surely?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[BAretired]

You say brick, but your sketch looks like concrete block. Which is it?

How do you intend to support the masonry while installing the angles? I don't believe you can.

 

[Enable]

BAretired was your comment because you are thinking they are trying to use the angles without a pinch beam or needle beams temporarily? I imagine that would be done but is not shown. But even still for this case I don't think those would be necessary because they could use Spir-Lok ties to transfer the load to remaining wythes, same as we do for shelf angle replacement on facades (only doing one angle/side at a time of course).

EDIT - could also add another lintel up above that is only cut into the brick a fraction of the amount - say 3-4" - because so much of the wall support is being removed when they cut in the permanent lintel and it may not be comfortable to rely on Spira-Lok alone to do the job.

I don't love the angle idea because it's rather hard to ensure proper bearing and all that but I think it could be done. Personally I'd rather needle beam and put in a proper beam lintel as mentioned above.

 

[BAretired]

Enable, I could not see how the horizontal leg of each angle could be inserted without losing support of the masonry but, as you say, it could be done with needle beams above the angles. That is a lot of eccentricity placed on each angle. I am not familiar with Spir-Lok...perhaps that is an option.

Something along the lines of the sketch below may be better:

My preference would be to use a channel each side tied through the wall with bolts and suitably connected at each end, using the existing block or brick to bear the reaction from the channels. The wall to be removed would be removed only after the installation was complete.

Alternatively, if the owner does not appreciate the beauty of the exposed channels, use needle beams and pour a concrete lintel, properly reinforced to carry the load above.

 

[LittleInch]

Why don't you just use the same fabricated channel for the vertical as the horizontal?

It looks horrendous but if it is allowed then so be it.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.