Drilling holes in a load-bearing interior wall of Leca - do or do not?

[LottaGro]

We are now building two bedrooms in the basement (previously unfinished), but since they are almost completely underground, there is no possibility of putting windows in the exterior wall. Therefore, the wish is to install windows facing into the house, in the load-bearing middle wall, instead, to let in some light and reduce the aquarium feeling. That wall is made of leca. What is required when making openings to not risk compromising the load-bearing capacity?

 

[End]

It would be good if you have a floor plan to show so we can see where you plan to make the holes.

Otherwise, anything is possible, but the cost will reflect that. Smaller holes can likely be made without needing reinforcement, but for critical holes, often larger ones, it is common to mill a groove on one side of the load-bearing wall and place a U-beam. After that, mill a groove on the other side and place the next U-beam, then screw or rivet the beams together. When both U-beams are assembled together, it looks like an H-beam.

 

[injonil]

When constructing a new basement wall with a larger window, it is necessary to provide a lintel for the opening and to reinforce additionally for the support of the lintel.

A designer can inform how this should be achieved for an existing wall.

 

[LottaGro]

It would be good if you have a floor plan to show so one can see where you are planning to do the cuttings.

Otherwise, anything is possible, but it costs accordingly. Smaller cuttings I think can be done without needing reinforcement, but for critical cuttings, often larger cuttings, you typically mill grooves on one side of the load-bearing wall and install a U-beam. Then mill grooves on the other side and install the next U-beam, and then screw or rivet the beams together. When both U-beams are assembled, it looks like an H-beam.

It took a while before I got hold of the digital floor plan. The yellow circles roughly mark where the windows could be placed. Preferably round, if it doesn't significantly complicate matters. What do you think?

 

[End]

I interpret it as a secondary load-bearing structure since the walls in the middle are thinner than the outer walls. If this is indeed a correct drawing, and if the yellow circles correspond to the size of the opening, I don't think there should be any problem adding openings there. Round openings are obviously more challenging than square ones, but with a reciprocating saw and the right blade, it should work fine, for example, Lenox Demolition. However, it takes a little time. If it had been square corners, a larger angle grinder would have been better.