Croatia - Structural engineer requires 23cm casting against existing interior wall

[mvs]

Have you considered a steel construction instead of concrete columns? It should be more slender, reasonably easy to install instead of casting concrete columns. If they are prepared properly, you can bolt load-bearing wooden joists to them and then lay the floor on top.

Yes, I agree. It would probably look beautiful. The only question is how much such a steel column would weigh. Everything has to be carried by hand about 40m, including up two flights of stairs. But we really like the combination of steel and wood, so it's a suggestion we should discuss with the architect. Thanks.

 

[mvs]

Probably a bad suggestion, but could steel beams be a (partial) solution? Expensive, of course.

No, I think it's a good suggestion. And it seems many of you are thinking along those lines. However, I must solve the logistics first. Thank you.

 

[Farstatjej90]

Yes, I agree. It would probably look beautiful. The question is just what such a steel pillar weighs. Everything must be carried by hand about 40m, including up two flights of stairs. But we really like the combination of steel and wood, so it's a proposal we should discuss with the architect. Thanks.

They don't have to be carried in whole. They can be carried in pieces and welded on site. But it must be done the right way. I think this is quite an expensive solution, but I don't know. In any case, it can be done this way.

 

[mvs]

They don't have to be carried in whole. They can be carried in pieces and welded on site. But it has to be done the right way. I think this is quite an expensive solution, but I don't know. At least it can be done this way.

Good suggestion! Thanks.

 

[nino]

What can they weigh then?
The son-in-law was renovating at home and there was a 6m beam that had to be installed to convert an outer wall, you could lift one end by yourself, thinking a couple of wheels front and back so you can pull it along by yourself or with an ATV, then with 4 people you might be able to get it where you want.

 

[mvs]

How large are the beams to be constructed? Length and width of the rooms where the beams will be placed?

The house is not completely symmetrical. The inner dimensions are 11m (north wall), 10m (south wall), 5m (west wall), 3.7m (east wall). The outer walls are approximately 70cm thick.

The ground floor will be an open plan, and the upper floor will have a bedroom in the west and another in the east with a bathroom between the two bedrooms. I will try to upload a more detailed sketch at some point.

 

[Åke Lindgren]

Hello Croatia
I have lived and worked in Croatia for four years and worked with cultural buildings from the 11th century. Building inspectors and cultural authorities often put a wrench in the works with strange solutions and demands, which were resolved with a box of chocolates containing a sum of money proportional to the measures. The mayors in the villages are often involved in the setups and could openly suggest helping out for a certain compensation. The officials in the administrations are low-paid and take every opportunity for extra income; the country is heavily affected by corruption in society.

Best regards,
Åke

 

[mvs]

Building inspectors and cultural authorities often threw a monkey wrench into the works with strange solutions and demands that were resolved with a chocolate box containing a sum of money proportional to the measures.

Hello,

Fortunately, we have not had the same experience. People have been nice and open to different solutions. The only negative thing we have encountered is that it takes time. I believe the building engineer has a point, but I think there are several solutions to the problem. He has suggested two options, but I plan to go back with another 2-3 (better) suggestions.

 

[Marcus0321]

The house is not completely symmetrical. The interior measurements are 11m (north wall), 10m (south wall), 5m (west wall), 3.7m (east wall). The exterior walls are about 70cm thick.

The ground floor will have an open floor plan, and the upper floor will have a bedroom in the west and another in the east with a bathroom between the two bedrooms. I will try to upload a more detailed sketch at some point.

Are those the interior measurements of the rooms? 3.7m is no problem with a wooden framework. 5m is a bit worse if there isn't any load-bearing wall underneath, with a wall underneath it's no problem. What are the requirements for renovations when it comes to earthquakes?

 

[mvs]

Are these the internal measurements of the rooms? 3.7m is no problem with a wooden beam structure. 5m is a bit worse if there isn't a load-bearing wall underneath, with a wall underneath it’s no problem. What are the renovation requirements when it comes to earthquakes?

These are the internal measurements of the open floor plan on the ground floor (living room with kitchen). The upper floor is divided into two bedrooms and a bathroom with the same total internal measurements as the ground floor. We haven't been given any specific requirements for earthquakes, but the structural engineer seems keen to ensure that the house stands stable. We are too, of course ;-)

 

[PeGeCo]

An alternative is glulam beams. Here in Sweden, they are used extensively. I lived in the UK for 35 years and never saw them in house constructions, there it was always steel that was used. Glulam can also look nice if it is well designed.

 

[mvs]

What can they weigh then?
My son-in-law renovated at home and there was a 6m beam that needed to go in to offset an outer wall, you could lift one end by yourself, thinking a couple of wheels front and back so you can pull it along by yourself or with a quad, then with 4 people you can probably get it where you want

I actually don't know. But I'll check it out.

 

[Dortmunder DAB]

Glad you like it! Here's a picture of the front of the house:

[image]

Sasvim prekrasno, will surely become a wonderful little nook!

The oldest of all my uncles/aunts built/had a house just on the outskirts of the town, unfortunately, I have never been there. (He died about 10 years ago and wasn't very "family-loving", so I never met him.)

Kind regards

 

[mvs]

An alternative is glulam beams. Here in Sweden, they are used extensively. I lived in GB for 35 years and never saw them in house construction, it was always steel that was predominant. Glulam can also look nice if designed well.

I'm absolutely open to that. Is it true that a glulam beam can carry significantly more than a regular wooden beam? If we're aiming for wooden floor structures, it would be great if we can make the wooden beams slightly thinner to make the rooms feel a little more spacious.

 

[PeGeCo]

Absolutely open to it. Is it true that a laminated wooden beam can bear significantly more than a regular wooden beam? If we go for wooden floor structures, it would have been great if we could make the wooden beams somewhat thinner so that the rooms feel a bit airier.

The biggest advantage of laminated wood is that it becomes more stable than a solid piece.