I was in the crawl space of a house built about 30 years ago. The footing of the walls on two sides ended about 10 ft short of the connection with the perpendicular wall. There is what looks like a long CMU block that covers the span. I have seen shorter block used above doors and windows (lintel) and am familiar with bond beams normally used at the top of a CMU wall. I have never seen this set up before. The homeowner is nervous about the integrity of the structure. The house has been there for a while with no issues, but he wants some reassurance.
Anybody out there seen this before? I would appreciate some feedback.
It’s a pre-cast lintel used to header the opening in the wall (same thing as used on a double wide door). It most likely has poured cells with grout, and rebar at the top and inside the lintel. By the way, what the hell is the opening in the wall for?
No good reason that I can see. One wall was on the back side of the space, one was on the front side. I can’t see any reason the construction was this way. The buyer asked me the same question. Another one of those “why” questions I can’t answer.
Any link?
Would it be considered a monolithic concrete beam or mortar bonded CMU units?
Image 2; If this lintel considered masonry units, the cobble principle comes into play. Only allowed to bump out any parallel outer course by 1/3rd the wydth of the lower unit.
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Robert, what are you talking about.
This is a regular and standard precast lintel designed for the support of CMU spanned openings as such. No doubt engineered for the span and loading.
I have seen this before where a crawlspace or garage foundation joins a basement. The over dig at the basement wall has poor compaction and the crawlspace wall is reinforced to span the gap.
Randy is correct
Seen it many times in TN. Usually for basement transitions or split/tri level homes.
Found mostly in partial basement/crawlspace homes. It bridges the gap for a connecting lateral wall. A garage for example. I wonder if I can find any pictures.
