S
SimonMoers29 Apr 2016 06:39Hello everyone,
We are currently building a house with construction company X. A few months ago, we received the approved building permit / planning permission. We only wanted to clad the ground floor with facing bricks. Due to the construction window, we decided to plan for the facing bricks to be only 65mm (2.6 inches) thick. We informed the architect accordingly, and this was reflected in the plans. As mentioned, everything has now been approved by the city.
When we were about to order the bricks, Hagemeister informed us that a 65mm (2.6 inches) thick facing brick cannot stand on its own. Only from 90mm (3.5 inches) thickness can the brick be self-supporting, and in that case, it must be anchored to the masonry. A 65mm (2.6 inches) brick can only be applied to an already solid wall. Now, the architect has planned a cavity wall insulation system in the execution plans, with Poroton bricks, soft insulation, and then the facing bricks.
I now believe the architect made a mistake in the design. He could have told us that such a wall construction would not work. Now, this architect wants to charge us for the plan changes. He claims the structural engineering calculations must be redone. I find that hard to believe.
1. Shouldn't the architect correct his mistakes free of charge?
2. How much would you pay for such a change?
3. Is it really necessary to adjust the structural calculations for this?
What do you think?
Best regards,
Simon
We are currently building a house with construction company X. A few months ago, we received the approved building permit / planning permission. We only wanted to clad the ground floor with facing bricks. Due to the construction window, we decided to plan for the facing bricks to be only 65mm (2.6 inches) thick. We informed the architect accordingly, and this was reflected in the plans. As mentioned, everything has now been approved by the city.
When we were about to order the bricks, Hagemeister informed us that a 65mm (2.6 inches) thick facing brick cannot stand on its own. Only from 90mm (3.5 inches) thickness can the brick be self-supporting, and in that case, it must be anchored to the masonry. A 65mm (2.6 inches) brick can only be applied to an already solid wall. Now, the architect has planned a cavity wall insulation system in the execution plans, with Poroton bricks, soft insulation, and then the facing bricks.
I now believe the architect made a mistake in the design. He could have told us that such a wall construction would not work. Now, this architect wants to charge us for the plan changes. He claims the structural engineering calculations must be redone. I find that hard to believe.
1. Shouldn't the architect correct his mistakes free of charge?
2. How much would you pay for such a change?
3. Is it really necessary to adjust the structural calculations for this?
What do you think?
Best regards,
Simon
Aren't curtain walls always fixed to the masonry with anchors?
When cavity insulation is not permitted, a 4cm (1.5 inch) air gap must be maintained; with cavity insulation, this is often reduced to a ventilation gap. Mineral wool is also used as cavity insulation (it is soft, but I still wouldn’t recommend cuddling with it).
Alternatively, there are thin brick slips. As far as I know, these are only glued.
I have to admit that I’m not sure how to deal with the architect either...
When cavity insulation is not permitted, a 4cm (1.5 inch) air gap must be maintained; with cavity insulation, this is often reduced to a ventilation gap. Mineral wool is also used as cavity insulation (it is soft, but I still wouldn’t recommend cuddling with it).
Alternatively, there are thin brick slips. As far as I know, these are only glued.
I have to admit that I’m not sure how to deal with the architect either...
S
SimonMoers29 Apr 2016 08:02Yes, the anchors are always used as I was told. However, even with anchors, a facing brick thickness of 65mm (2.6 inches) should not be installed as a free-standing element, but only on a solid wall. In our case, with external thermal insulation (ETICS) in between, this isn’t acceptable. Therefore, at least 90mm (3.5 inches) is required.
Here on page 9, last example.
xxx.wienerberger.de/kleine-bauphysik-kunde-grundwissen.html
Yes, normally the architect is responsible for proper planning. I strongly assume the architect will provide correct advice. Who knows what else might come up. I could also request a 1cm (0.4 inch) thick slab, and the architect would have to reject that. That is what I would expect here as well.
Here on page 9, last example.
xxx.wienerberger.de/kleine-bauphysik-kunde-grundwissen.html
Yes, normally the architect is responsible for proper planning. I strongly assume the architect will provide correct advice. Who knows what else might come up. I could also request a 1cm (0.4 inch) thick slab, and the architect would have to reject that. That is what I would expect here as well.
Was the architect commissioned according to HOAI? Maybe @wpic can comment on this. From my layman’s legal understanding, I agree with you. The architect says that at 9cm (3.5 inches), the structural calculations would have to be redone because the weight of the facade / load on the wall would be different?
S
SimonMoers29 Apr 2016 14:21The whole process is handled by a construction services company. They then hired the architect. I don’t know how he is paid; as far as I understand, he feels underpaid and uses that to justify his carelessness. Now this guy wants 750 euros from me for the widening. I’m not sure yet if I’ll pay it. I could also just start building and sue him for damages later when it comes to the brickwork.
Similar topics