Originally Posted By: David Suelflow This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Steel beam as main support rests on CMU foundation wall. There is some spalling of the block face around the bearing point. There are no other cracks below or outside. The spalling is about ? inch deep. Other areas of the basement show signs of water intrusion but not in this area. Would you recommend an SE or note it as O.K.?
Originally Posted By: mcyr This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
This 12" steel beam is resting on a masonry wall supported with cement bricks and assume that at least three block courses below have been filled with grout, as would be the proper procedure with this assumed time lag of construction.
The bearing capacities of steel beam on masonry should be at least 4" and in this case might be a little more an picking up moisture from the outside and migrating through the block work and behind the paint and the parging of the bricks as I see it.
Due the fact that there is no steel bearing plate installed, the bearing pressures probably contributed to the affect.
These comments are all speculation, not knowing the circumstances, age, exterior, interior, etc..
