Risky Business?

[Brian Nelson Architect <bonarch@xxxxxxx>]

Jerry C. wrote :

"Is there a reasonable DIY way to do this without collapsing the
top structure? I was thinking of doing it this way :

1) Knock out a row of cinderblocks up high.
2) install a steel I-beam about 6" - 8" tall, and X
feet long, to support the cinderblocks above.
3) tie in the beam to the structure, then knock out
the blocks below it>.

 First, is this a feasible thing to accomplish for a
non-experienced stone worker to do, or should it be
left to a professional? And if so, how much would
structural work like this cost?"

Jerry - the "approach" is the way this would be done.  However, the
particulars of your building need to be evaluated to determine the specific
recipe to accomplish the task that you describe.  In my "hood" this type of
building modification requires that a professional structural engineer
assess the situation and prescribe the solution - I would expect that to be
the case pretty much everywhere in the US/Canada.  This usually is NOT an
onerous task - and the engineering fee should cost somewhere around $ 300 -
500 for the analysis/prescription and certification of the executed work
that you describe.

Buildings - especially concrete block buildings - are generally designed and
built to minimum standards of the day - the smaller ones don't generally
have much reserve in them - especially the "lego-type" concrete block
buildings, which generally do not fare well with lateral loads and
"shakes" - they really are just piles of man-made "stones" levelled out with
mortar. (and the mortar does NOT "weld" the blocks together!)

People - my heart goes out to all the victims of the (natural forces)
"Katrina" disaster - please take control of your personal/financial safety
whenever you can - and please don't invite "man-made" disasters in your
lives - like undertaking modifications to the buildings that you live and
work in (and store good old treasured AMC vehicles in!) - without some
relatively simple due dilligence to the matter at hand.

Brian Nelson  Architect  B.Sc. M.Arch.  M.A.I.B.C.

enough leters for you all to take my point?

PS : not enough time to get back on to my AMC projects this year - but still
listening in to the list!

PPS : Hey - can we not all try to get more positive about our AMC projects?







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