structural questions for residential construction.

[Ronald F.]

Hello everyone, I will begin by saying I am new here, I'm not sure if I am doing this correctly or if this is the right place to post a question. However, I am a new engineering student, so I believed this to be the most appropriate section.
Okay, so I am rebuilding an old house (the thing that led me to engineering school in the first place) and I am doing some work on the foundation. It is a 24'x28' concrete slab with 8"x8"x16"CMU walls. It has 3 completely solid walls that are mostly underground with one side fully exposed. I decided to take down that side and turn it into a 3-car garage. i have a drawing of its current state below (image 1), however, I was so focused on other things (beam spans, columns, footings, etc.) i completely did not consider the aspect of wall bracing. I'm building everything according to the I.R.C. or the A.W.C. WFCM/WCD-1, which have an excellent section on how much wall bracing is needed per wall line using whatever method of wood framing you choose, but when it comes to masonry I am very unfamiliar.
So my question is, what needs to be done for this to be structurally sound? I'm not sure if it will make a difference but there will be a diaphragm floor on top of the garage with a typical 2"x4" structure on top of that. My initial plan was to use 4-2"x12" beams for the built-up-header, with some type of Simpson strong tie holding it to the "lug walls" (I think there called) and two columns in between. (image 2/3). But after considering bracing, I'm not sure if that will be enough. So I started thinking reinforced concrete with a custom rebar bracket that holds the header, (image 4/5). But after drawing that idea, it seems not right. Perhaps it would be simpler to just frame the opening with steel? (I-beam-header, etc.) or maybe I need to put some kind of masonry wall back?
Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[Ron247]

You are in the right place for a student. This site requires students to use this "Student Engineer General Discussion" and no other. It's in the policy.

Also, for the most part, no one will give you final design info, even me. But we are here to help students some degree and many of us do not mind. If you are in an area that requires an engineer on residential projects, tread lightly if you are not licensed yet. If you are in college, you may wind up in trouble. Where I live, you do not have to be an engineer to modify a residence unless the building inspector gets uncomfortable with what you are doing and requests one. I have no idea about where you are. You need to find out.

Next, what you have depicted in your drawing is referred to as a "Daylight Basement" by some. It has one or more sides that are not underground. If your drawing is correct, you need a strut that can also serve as a beam for floor loads, not wall bracing. You have opposing soil loads.

If you have already removed the wall, you are already starting off in a hole, as both a contractor and as a future engineer.

 

[Ronald F.]

@Ron247 , thank you much for the reply and also confirming that I am posting in the right place.

I understand that you cannot give final design info I’m assuming due to the ethics involved in engineering. I have been working with the borough though and the people that do the inspections. So right now I’m just trying to come up with some kind of plan that I can give to them or give to a professional engineer if need be.

Can you possibly point me in the direction of any literature that may be of some help to my situation, or possibly some design examples of what a similar strut might look like?

Again, I thank you for your reply, your help, and your time.