Originally Posted by ltcdfancher View Post
Why would a cast concrete wall require a separate lintel? The concrete is a monolithic structure above the window and around it to the bearing surface at the slab. Depending on the orientation of the embedded steel in the wall, it ‘should’ even be possible to add a double slider in place of a single-hung window. Penetrating radar above and around the window to document steel placement would be prudent, I think. Then, of course, a nod from an engineer, the ARC, AND the building department. From there, grab the wall saw!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianL99
Perhaps because many walls (if not all) in The Villages are not "cast concrete" poured in place, they're "tilt-up" walls. The Masonry/CMU structures are another variation.
Even a cast in place wall might not be able to accommodate what the poster has in mind. Where do you come up with the assumption that a cast concrete wall is a "monolithic structure"?
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Brian L99 is correct. Concrete walls are not monolithic structures. Built of concrete only, they would fail if there were any openings or any movement of foundation or shrinkage as the concrete cures. They require reinforcing steel since concrete has very little tensile strength. Concrete slabs have cuts made so that the inevitable shrinkage cracks that occur during curing are controlled and not unsightly.
Concrete walls will have reinforcing steel placed in the wall at the appropriate locations to provide the tensile strength to carry the loads around the designed openings. Cutting an opening for a double slider will be much larger than any reinforcing placed to span a single window. I do not see how any structural engineer will approve any design to create an opening larger than the original single window without extensive external steel reinforcing.