Possible WTF

Lumen

Saw this at my kids' school this morning.

I'm no constructioner, but this lintel looks right ropey.

Would you not overlap the blocky things? Like, what's keeping the lintel up other than mortar and a couple of inches of timber overlap?

What say you, experts?



Full version:

https://tinyurl.com/jzxhdlv

Gumbo

Can you post what school this is in?

Lumen

kceire wrote: »

Can you post what school this is in?

I'd rather not post it publicly at this stage, but have PMd you.

iwillhtfu

Jebus that's piss poor and it looks like the cavity blocks above aren't even staggered disaster waiting to happen.

Metric Tensor

Google U-Block lintel.

There's a specific type of block that looks like the shape of a U and you fill the centre of it with concrete and steel so you end up with a lintel that looks from the outside like a normal block. It's useful if the wall wil not be plastered.

I'm not saying that's what is in your picture but it is a possibility and is particularly common on school projects in Ireland due to the fondness in certain circles for fair faced blockwork.

Metric Tensor

P.S. you can also put one upside down on top of another to give double the height.

This would give a non-staggered look.

Again I've no idea what is happening in your picture but it is possible.

iwillhtfu

Metric Tensor wrote: »

Google U-Block lintel.

There's a specific type of block that looks like the shape of a U and you fill the centre of it with concrete and steel so you end up with a lintel that looks from the outside like a normal block. It's useful if the wall wil not be plastered.

I'm not saying that's what is in your picture but it is a possibility and is particularly common on school projects in Ireland due to the fondness in certain circles for fair faced blockwork.

So there is

Lumen

Metric Tensor wrote: »

Google U-Block lintel.

There's a specific type of block that looks like the shape of a U and you fill the centre of it with concrete and steel so you end up with a lintel that looks from the outside like a normal block

But that still doesn't explain the lack of overlap at the end. The blocks in my original pic are still only held in by adhesion of the mortar.

iwillhtfu

Lumen wrote: »

But that still doesn't explain the lack of overlap at the end. The blocks are still only held in my adhesion of the mortar.

It doesn't specify a length it could be 3-4 blocks long I guess and the explanation of a finished look makes sense.

Lumen

OK, I suppose the u-block could be upside down.

What's the best way to approach this? I've no qualifications to go sticking my oar in.

iwillhtfu

Lumen wrote: »

OK, I suppose the u-block could be upside down.

What's the best way to approach this? I've no qualifications to go sticking my oar in.

Find out who the design engineer is (should be advertised somewhere on a site hoarding) and send them the pic above asking the question? I'm sure they're inundated with queries especially with school projects.

Johnnyhpipe

U block lintels are used on almost every blockwork school in the country. What you have shown is a very common detail.

What school is this? PM me

Free-2-Flow

Lumen wrote:

I'm no constructioner, but this lintel looks right ropey.

Lumen wrote:

Saw this at my kids' school this morning.

I wouldn't worry about it, If it's a job on a school then there is both an engineer and architect involved not to mention they have to meet government safety standards.

Gumbo

I see this u-block detail all the time on schools here in Dublin but I have to be honest, it's the first time I've seen it over a door open. I've mostly seen it in walls where the rads or other items were to be flush fitted.

murphaph

I'd say it's actually the normal way of doing it here in Germany. I wouldn't necessarily assume however that because it's a school it'll be fine. BBC news ran a piece on school walls in Edinburgh collapsing last evening!

Lumen

Thanks for all the advice and information.

I e-mailed the county council Building Control officer and he's going to follow it up on Monday.

I'm sure its all fine, but I'd be mortified if someone got their head stoved in because I was too lazy to point it out to someone.

Lumen

Appearances can be deceptive.

----
Dear Lumen,

I inspected the school today. The builder used a 215 x 215 concrete filled U-Block with steel bars instead of a concrete lintel

because the internal walls are a block painted finish.

The build is to a high standard although it would not appear so from your photo.

See attached ‘as constructed’ window head detail.

Regards,

Incredibly efficient dude from County Council Building Control

Gumbo

And people say Building Control is not active in this country!

FrancieBrady

Lumen wrote: »

Appearances can be deceptive.

----
Dear Lumen,

I inspected the school today. The builder used a 215 x 215 concrete filled U-Block with steel bars instead of a concrete lintel

because the internal walls are a block painted finish.

The build is to a high standard although it would not appear so from your photo.

See attached ‘as constructed’ window head detail.

Regards,

Incredibly efficient dude from County Council Building Control

Fair play, always good to be able to sleep sound!

ht9zni1gs28crp

Horrendous cold bridging detail at the Cill.....

But more importantly the recommended cavity for a proper ventilated rainscreen cavity is 38mm NOT 35mm closed entirely as shown. They require some form of cross ventilation but I would hope the sub contractor will clarify that to the Architect.