cutting a hole in an existing concrete wall
cutting a hole in an existing concrete wall
(OP)
I have a house in Southern California that I was the contractor of record in 2000. I would like to saw cut a 4' wide x 30" opening to install a window. The wall in question is a concrete-reinforced basement wall. It is 9' tall, 12' long before it turns the corner. It supports 2 floors above. Edge of opening is 3' from outside corner, 2' from top and 4'-6' off slab. The ground level outside would be halfway up the window- house is at the top of a hill (no load bearing issues with the soil). Rebar is #5, 2' o.c. horiz. and vert.
do you see any problems?
thanks,
Mike
do you see any problems?
thanks,
Mike





RE: cutting a hole in an existing concrete wall
A 4' wide chunk of concrete out of a basement wall can have big effects, especially is was built according to standards codes (the least you have to do and still be legal) at the time of construction and possibly not today's conditions.
Since you have a basement, you are not in the "flat lands" of the valleys and you probably have some other soil and drainage conditions that require a closer look in addition to seismic.
Even Northridge is generally flat and look at the problems that were cause a few years ago.
RE: cutting a hole in an existing concrete wall
RE: cutting a hole in an existing concrete wall