RSJ v Wooden beam

[biffvernon]

I am afraind I do not have any calculations. The pine beam is around 6 inches square.

That'll hold up the wall with a couple of elephants dancing on the roof.

 

[another_richard]

Photo taken as the dust was settling.

The old metal bar that defined the original entrance is still in-situ.

If instructed it is not too much of a pain to take down the wooden lintel, I just wish that it could stay there so I can get on with the rest of the work, Bureaucracy, its all Greek to me.


I do apologise to all Victorian house lovers that what I am doing is not exactly in keeping with a 'period property' In my defence the brickwork I removed was in a terrible state, badly fired and crumbling into sand.


Thanks all.

 

[inwood]

I've been lucky enough to have a very pragmatic BCO in relation to lintels (and for that matter pretty much most things in this renovation). The lintels I've replaced have been over doorways and windows and replaced with oak. Most of the previous lintels were pine in a very poor condition. CO wasn't happy with concrete (unsurprisingly) but was happy with oak.

BCO didn't need to see calcs - I replaced the old pine with oak in a like for like size - the pine held the wall before so I guess he was happy that the oak would be stronger and do just as good if not a better job.

 

[Penners]

I just wish that it could stay there so I can get on with the rest of the work

Well, Richard, I reckon you're getting too worried about this. As you can see, everyone who's seen the photo reckons that the lintel is plenty beefy enough for its job.

If I were you I would just leave it as it is and press on with the rest of the project. The BCO may not be the slightest bit interested in it (particularly if it's going to be plastered over :wink: ), and even if he/she is, may just nod it through.

I honestly don't think it's a big deal.

 

[chuckey]

Its difficult to see from your picture, but the typical victorian technique was to have a curved brick arch over these range openings with a strip (2" wide X 3/82 thick) of iron let into the horizontal course just below the arch and bent upwards to the arch. I suspect it was only there to provide cheapo formwork for the construction of the arch. I can see a curved course of bricks, but I can't see any soldier courses which are normally used. I don't think any lintel is required unless you are going to hang some thing very heavy from the chimney breast.
Frank

 

[another_richard]

Hello All,

Quick recap - opened up bricked up fireplace, knocked out bricks in old fireplace to put in a cooker, replaced Victorian metal strap holding bricks on edge up with a wooden beam and not an RSJ.

Just to state that the County Council Surveyor popped out and said yes the beam is fine, but he also stated that:

1 I must put a notice up somewhere prominent that the fireplace in the kitchen is NOT suitable for lighting fires (the wooden floor and beam kind of give this away), i.e. a put up a plastic sign next to the gas electric meter etc.

2 Pay £137.50 please, Bureaucracy it is all Greek to me.

Many thanks for all your comments.

Rich

 

[biffvernon]

After that No Smoking sign in church fiasco I almost took your notice instruction seriously.

 

[Jon Maine]

Sounds normal, being made to pay to be spoon feed common sense as if we are not capable. Surely those who dont have the common sense will sooner or later meet a sticky end from their dullness anyway and the gene pool will be reduced to those who can think for themselves

 

[Penners]

the gene pool will be reduced to those who can think for themselves

Oh, Jon - if only that were the case.

The fundamental problem is that those who are out of their depth in the gene pool are breeding the fastest.

Nobody has put up a notice telling them not to.

 

[Jon Maine]

Have you read the Darwin awards?

 

[Penners]

I have indeed. But that's a miserably small cull rate.

 

[Johneds]

Just a little teaser: If a beam only holds up the triangle of brick above it, what holds up the triangle next to that one, and next to that one, and etc.? And then, if you really want to get complicated, what about all the little triangles of brick stacked randomly on top of each other all the way up the wall?

A rule of thumb for timber beams: Most timber beams fail due to deflection rather than load capacity. So, if the beam is fitted and doesn't deflect all that much, you can be fairly sure it will stay that way.

Technically, a beam should not deflect more than about 1/360 its length. Or about 3mm per metre is close enough.

 

[Penners]

Just a little teaser: If a beam only holds up the triangle of brick above it, what holds up the triangle next to that one, and next to that one, and etc.? And then, if you really want to get complicated, what about all the little triangles of brick stacked randomly on top of each other all the way up the wall?

The bricks stay up there for the same reason that Douglas Adams' giant cup-and-saucer hovered above the planet - because it's artistically right.

 

[Johneds]

I knew there was a reason. Just couldn't remember what is was.