Demolishing or opening up a load-bearing wall is not a job to be taken lightly. This type of work requires several building professionals able to put together a complete project to ensure the safety of the house and its occupants. Our clients decided to hire a concrete structural engineer to carry out a feasibility study for their project. The goal was to demolish a load-bearing stone wall to enlarge the living room and make it warmer and more welcoming. Here is a load-bearing wall demolition project we carried out in Mougins based on a concrete structural engineer’s study:
1. Project Design
Although the feasibility study and the construction drawings were provided by the engineering firm, the project was developed upfront in close collaboration with the client and the firm, so that the result would meet not only construction and safety standards but also the client’s expectations.
2. Protection and Shoring
As on every job site, protection is an essential step to keep things clean, especially since the clients were living in the house during the work. All floors, walls and doors on the level were covered with plastic sheeting to keep dust out of the living space. Then, before demolition, it is crucial to shore up the floor above in the demolition area. The shoring is done with steel props and timber joists.
3. Demolition
The demolition tools and method are determined by several factors, including the thickness and composition of the wall: brick, reinforced concrete, stone, etc. When demolishing a stone wall, precautions must be taken, because stones often come loose in whole blocks and can weaken adjacent structures.
4. Reinforcement with Steel I-Beams (IPN) and Reinforced Concrete Posts
The recommended reinforcement consisted of two steel I-beams (IPN), joined with threaded rods bolted in a staggered pattern. The double beam rests on reinforced concrete posts at each end. To make the most of the space in the future living room, it was agreed to embed the reinforced concrete posts in the existing walls. After partially demolishing the walls to create the posts, we installed the rebar for the post structure and the formwork, then poured the concrete. Once it had cured, we set the double beam on the posts. Final step – packing the gap above the beam with non-shrink mortar.
Demolishing a wall is a major structural transformation. As with all our projects, we bring our technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail to deliver safe, functional results tailored to our clients’ needs.
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