ᐅ Lintel over Garage – Missing Concrete: Is This a Problem or Nothing to Worry About?

Good morning everyone,

I have been following this forum for a while and now have a small question about our current house construction. I already asked this question in another forum but am still unsure and am posting it here again. I have also learned that in this case it is not a lintel in the classic sense. However, due to a lack of alternatives, I am still using the term.

So, above our garage, a lintel was formed and cast over a length of 7m (23 feet) and a height of 1m (3.3 feet). Now, it seems the construction workers miscalculated the amount of concrete. This means that on a length of about 1m (3.3 feet) and a depth of about 20cm (8 inches), concrete is still missing. This will probably be poured today. Now my question: since the already poured concrete has partially dried by today, is it possible that the concrete poured today will not properly bond with the existing concrete? I want to know whether this could cause any issues with load-bearing capacity, deflection, or strength. Or if this is not a problem at all. Before I raise an issue with the construction company, I want to make sure if there is any valid reason to complain. Pictures attached.

Thank you and best regards

What do you think they do on large construction sites? They don’t usually pour the foundation all in one day either. If the rest is done today, I don’t see any problem. But they should have been able to get the remaining amount, either by picking it up with a flatbed truck or mixing it in bags.

Stefan2.84 schrieb:

Now the question. Since the already poured concrete has dried by today, is it possible that the newly added concrete today will not bond with the already poured concrete?

Brush or pre-wet the hardened concrete with a cement slurry (cement mixed with water, without sand); this improves the bond with the fresh concrete. The loads should primarily be carried by the reinforcement.

Thanks for the previous answers. That reassures me a bit. However, I still don’t think it’s good.

Hello Stefan 2.84

Is there already a lintel above the garage door? One should be installed there. Otherwise, the lintel is included in the structure.
I don’t see it as straightforward as my predecessors do. OK, the lintel supports the concrete, but the connection between old and new will not hold. Therefore, I would be concerned that water might penetrate and possibly further separate the concrete parts. The effect of time is already present.
I would definitely point out this defect to the site manager in writing.
It’s hard for me to understand how such a clear quantity for concrete could be miscalculated. Grade six!

Steven

Hello

I have looked at the pictures again.
This could be a so-called "covering beam." It is like a lintel but placed on top. In that case, it would not be structurally correct.

Steven