Hi all, I've tried googling but I obviously haven't found the right keywords yet :- )
I want to increase the size of the "builder's opening" in my chimney breast by removing a half-brick column from each side. Obviously the brick colum n each side supports the load of the bricks above and ideally I'd like to d o the calculations to show that it's safe. But where to start?
At floor level the chimney breast is 40cm brick, 60cm opening, 40cm brick a nd I want to end up with 30cm brick, 80cm opening, 30cm brick.
Don't worry about the effect on the lintel bearing by the way as a previous owner removed it! Part of the job will be to reinstate it but obviously w ider and bearing on the new reduced size structure.
Can anyone help?