I wonder if someone can make a quick comment on this:
I have some builders (a very reputable local firm) currently removing a load bearing wall from my victorian house. The structural engineer has specified two pad foundations and two piers to support the steel beam.
Problem: the builders have built piers that are much thicker than specified.
I have contacted the manager; he says his 'men' have told him the piers match the specification but he is going to come in and take a look. He said they might have had to enlarge the, because of the way the bricks keyed into the existing wall. Specification: Pier A: 220mm x 220mm (1 brick x 1 brick) pier B: 220mm x 330mm (1 brick x 1.5 brick) the 220mm sides are adjacent to the existing wall and keyed into it.
Built: Pier A: 330mm x 330mm (1.5 brick x 1.5 brick) Pier B: 330mm x 440mm (1.5 brick x 2 brick)
Any comments from people expoerienced in this kind of thing would be most welcome. Is this plainly a mistake, or does the brick-keying sometimes force you to enlarge piers by 1/2 brick in each dimension like this?
Robert