steel plate instead of padstone for loftconversion

[larry]

my structural engineer has specified that a padstone (100 x 400 x 215 ) be placed under all beams and post bearings to support the new loft conversion.

Since some posts are to rest on top of a loadbearing blockwall is it not possible/legal to instead of first chipping out the void for the padstone to put a steelplate on top of the wall on which the post will rest. I thought that an "upside down u" -beam could just be put on top of the wall -like you ...put a saddle on a horse - and then stand the post on the u-beam

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[Tony Bryer]

As long as it is thick enough (as proved by a simple calculation) all you need is a flat steel plate - 20mm thick would be the sort of thing.

[N. Thornton]

I assume you'd have to bed this onto mortar, as otherwise the forces would be concentrated onto the points of contact, resulting in something much weaker.

Regards, NT

[Tony Bryer]

Yes - didn't think to say so.