Ceiling Structural Integrity Advice

FreeBear

raxx99 said:

thanks. Ive called an SE to assess tomorrow. In the meantime those timber planks should suffice 

Unlikely that a bit of 3x2 is adequate. You really do need some acro-props plus some large timber to spread the load. The SE will be able to advise on the degree of temporary support required.

stuart45

Is this a DIY job?

raxx99

 stuart45 said:

Is this a DIY job?

No, I have builders carrying out the work, but I wanted a second/third opinion before they commenced. (can never be too sure)

Section62

raxx99 said:

thanks. Ive called an SE to assess tomorrow. In the meantime those timber planks should suffice 

They are nowhere near enough - the piece used horizontally is too thin (~2") to do anything structurally.  The vertical piece is too slender, and doesn't appear to have anything at the top to restrain it (i.e. screwed into the horizontal piece)  If the vertical piece is kicked or knocked into then it could fall out, leaving nothing to support the joists above.  As FreeBear says, they should be using acro props and a spreader at least 4" thick (if using timber).

If you have a structural engineer coming tomorrow and don't have anything else done in the interim in terms of temporary support then it is even more important for people to keep out of the rooms above.

FreeBear

raxx99 said:

 stuart45 said:

Is this a DIY job?

No, I have builders carrying out the work, but I wanted a second/third opinion before they commenced. (can never be too sure)

[Not wanting to appear rude]

You should have sought an expert opinion before taking out the wall. The builder shouldn't have removed it without (expert) conformation that it was safe to do so. Getting a SE in on short notice is going to cost you dearly, and a decent chunk of steel isn't going to be cheap. On top of that, if Building Control haven't been notified before the work started, they will charge extra.

Be advised, changes to legislation were introduced last year that now give councils 10 years to serve enforcement notices on any works that fall within BC remit. They can also prosecute both the home owner and the builder for breaches.... And if you don't have the proper paperwork in place, expect difficulties when you come to sell the property.

ThisIsWeird

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

raxx99 said:

Yeah I think the stud definitely had some load bearing capacity. I was advised by my neighbour who happened to be the original site manager when the property was built in 80s, that the stud wall could be removed and offered no structural support to ceiling. I may just stick an rsj going across the centre (where stud was) for added support which should bring this inline with the span recommendations. 

'You' are just going to 'stick an rsj in'?  

A 6m RSJ is big, and is going to need decent supports at each end - our 6m jobbie are a block-laid-flat size;

...

The beam would go at right angles to the joists, probably in the same position the wall was in.  So would only need to be ~3m long.

It still needs a structural engineer to assess and design, as well as getting building control signoff.

OP, you should be asking the builder to get additional propping under those joists to stop any further movement, and get a structural engineer in ASAP (like today, if possible).  In the meantime the builder shouldn't do anything else which may compromise the structure.  I'd also consider what rooms are above and take some sensible precautions - like not having people go in the rooms unnecessarily and if they are children's bedrooms then consider having them sleep in other rooms until OK'd by the structural engineer. (yes, potentially it could be that serious)

D'oh! : -)