when can brick infill be considered load bearing? 1

[SLTA]

I am designing an infill for a section of collapsed brick footing on an old house, and underpinning where it collapsed. (It collapsed due to squatters digging the wall to make more room to live.) I'm not worried about load capacity because the wall carries basically no load.

When can brick infill be considered self-supporting? Meaning how long until the mortar is cured enough to hold itself up if there's no support below it? The hole is only 2' wide, so I'm replacing 3 bricks max width. The underpin width is only 6' wide max, and I'm trying to have the process be as quick as possible for the contractor.

Pic attached.

 

[Ron]

slta...drive a 1/4" thick steel flat bar under the existing brick to span the opening. You can bevel the leading edge of the plate to facilitate the driving with a small sledge hammer. Place the new brick and leave the plate in place.

Do your underpinning.

 

[SLTA]

Ron, you're brilliant.

 

[Ron]

Aw shucks...you make me blush! Thanks, but actually it's just a little more gray hair!