I have a client who wants to expand an opening in a concrete load bearing wall. The building is quite old. The wall is a mix concrete filled block and formed concrete. The wall projects from the slab all the way to the roof, which is arched. There is no truss ontop of the wall. The wall simply continues up and arches in the same arc as the trusses.
There are two openings, one approximately 3′ wide x 7’6″ tall and one 5′ wide x 7’6″, with a 3′ wide pillar between them. The client wishes to remove the 3′ pillar, resulting in an 11′ wide x 7’6″ single opening. Dropped ceilings on both sides of the wall are at 8′ above the slab. My question is how do I support the opening while I cut the pillar out and install an appropriate header? Any input will be appreciated.
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Saw cut one said at a time, half way through, and insert the angle iron lintle. Then do the other side.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Blacky,
If I understand you, this is a arched gable wall in the middle of the building.
After you cut the center 'column' out, how wide will the walls on each side be?
What is the verticle distance from the corners of the new doorway to the top of the wall?
An engineer can tell you for sure, but if you have enough meat left above and to the sides of the opening, you won't need any header. If you do need a header, it's going to be a whopper of a header at 11' span.
You say it's load bearing. I'm kinda curious as to how many floors it's bearing and what their loads are.
SamT