How can one determien the bearing capacity of a lime stone wall

[BLSPAM]

We would like to place new steel beam on an existing lime stone wall. What bearing capacity can be used? Is it typically limited by the mortar or the stone? If so what is the bearing capacity of an older sand mortar? What testing can be performed to verify this?

Thank You!

 

[GeoEnvGuy]

Bearing capacity is for the subsurface soils, a wall is a structural element which sits on a foundation exerting a pressure on the underlying soils which have a bearing capacity.

If you want to use the wall in your design you need to assess it for strength and figure out how much bearing pressure it is exerting on the soil, then ask a geotechnical engineer if the underlying soils could handle the increase.

Also note if you are relying on an old wall think lifespan and condition as someone is responsible for saying the wall has sufficient strength in the existing condition and will work with the beam.

The first stage of site investigation is desktop and it informs the engineer of the anticipated subsurface conditions. By precluding the site investigation the design engineer cannot accept any responsibility for providing a safe and economical design.

 

[MotorCity]

It sounds as if the OP is asking about the bearing capacity (crushing strength) of the steel beam bearing on the limestone, not the bearing capacity of the soil...….although both should be checked.

 

[oldestguy]

The only test that I can think of is one to check the unconfined compressive strengh of the mortar. even then, since it is confined somewhat, the test would be under rating the compressive strength. One such test wold be the use of a pocket penetrometer as used for a quick test of cohesive soil. Even then it includes a safety factor of about three. I suspect your situation is such that there is no risk involved. You can always remove some of the old wall and re-build with stronger mortar.

 

[GeoEnvGuy]

When you say lime stone wall I am picturing something like in the image below

Link


If that is the case, you could get the concrete guys to see what the compressive strength is by diamond coring it out. You would also need to make some kind of condition assessment of an old wall.



The first stage of site investigation is desktop and it informs the engineer of the anticipated subsurface conditions. By precluding the site investigation the design engineer cannot accept any responsibility for providing a safe and economical design.