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New opening in existing cinder block wall

New opening in existing cinder block wall

New opening in existing cinder block wall

(OP)
I'm looking for some advice for a new opening in a cinder block and brick veneer wall.
I would like to know how close I can place one side of the opening to the corner of the building.
The wall consists of 6" cinder block with a 4" brick veneer.
The opening is approximately 128" wide.
I'm thinking 24" of remaining cinder block from the corner should provide sufficient bearing for the steel lintel for the cinder block (the cinder block is considered the load bearing component of the structure).
However I would like to decrease the 24" if possible and was considering supporting the lintel with a column/trimmer.
Can the steel lintel be supported with a 6x6 wood column and reduce the distance to 12"?
Are there any rules for minimum distance from a corner to the opening?

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

What about the remaining shear capacity of the wall??

Check your local building codes..

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

Are you sure that 5.5" will give you enough clearance from the sidewall to install the door hardware?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

First of all, the proper term is concrete masonry wall, not cinder block wall smile

Since this is an exterior wall, you must also justify any direct wind load coming into the jamb (from the window or door in the opening).

DaveAtkins

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

(OP)
The opening is to be filled with either a window or sliding doors that will contain its own hardware.  I could increase the distance to 8".

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

Are you an engineer?

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

And so the window or sliding door will put wind load into the CMU at the jamb, which will need to be reinforced for this.  6" CMU will have a pretty difficult time with that much wind load, in my opinion.

DaveAtkins

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

Since this is the corner of the building, I would of thought you would need check if the wall forming the return has sufficient capacity with this section of wall removed. Since the section of wall being removed was acting as a return.

RE: New opening in existing cinder block wall

(OP)
Any comments on supporting a steel lintel (maybe a light 4" W section) which supports the 6" masonry block with a 3 1/2" o.d. steel column welded to the lintel (top) and fastened to the existing masonry foundation wall with a 8x6x3/8" steel plate (both sides).
Brick veneer to be supported by a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 5/16" lintel with min 4" bearing on the existing brick.
 

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