Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
(OP)
Hello,
I have a job coming up where the architect wants to create openings in load bearing walls. The building is a 4 story, 1880's German Victorian with stone construction. This is all I know at this point.
Does anyone know how to analyze and design openings in stone load bearing walls? Where can I find old engineering books on this?
Best Regards,
Jim
I have a job coming up where the architect wants to create openings in load bearing walls. The building is a 4 story, 1880's German Victorian with stone construction. This is all I know at this point.
Does anyone know how to analyze and design openings in stone load bearing walls? Where can I find old engineering books on this?
Best Regards,
Jim






RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
Beyond this, I suppose it would be asking too much to put an independent frame the full height of the building to support the wall every place you are removing it? Not many architects I know would appreciate that but it's always worth considering something independent if the circumstances allow it.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
ACI 530 has requirements for stone masonry. But for masonry that old, more than likely the mortar is deteriorated to the point where it is useless. Therefore, anything you do in the wall (including the arching action): make sure it’s with compression only.
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
Oh well, it's just architecture. Do it.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
You have to know a good deal more about the existing structure, the make-up of the stone walls, and their condition, loads on the walls, any new loads, etc. If you can’t draw a 4 story section through the walls in question, we are just talking loose. Then look for the best old stone mason in the area for his advice and services. Obviously, you have to support the wall above any new openings during construction of the new opening, and the existing wall may dictate that method to the mason. I would make my lintel and two jambs a light steel frame with base plates on the jambs. I would make small openings a four sided steel frame. Sometimes these frames are made in two halves, interior and exterior, so half the wall thickness can remain supported while the other half frame is being installed. Then the mason infills and re-points around/between these steel frames and the remaining stone masonry. Undoubtedly, you will get some loose stones just tending to fall down, out of the wall under your temporary support system, the mason has seen this before and generally knows what to do.
RE: Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction
BA