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New addition on top of a tilted brick wall

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JKJohn

Structural
Oct 27, 2008
49
Trying to add a new level on top of an existing two wythe (8-in ). The original house is an end unit two story row house (about 80-year old). The wall is tied to the joists with a star and bolt system. There is a tilt in the wall that start from 0 at the roof level, 2-inch at the second floor and 4-inch in the first level. Weirdly (IMO) it is linear and the top of the wall is offset towards the house. The opposite wall is in good shape.
I am trying to determine if this wall is stable enough to support the new level. Any suggestions where to start?

And thanks in advance!
 
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So, the CG of the leaning wall is at the inside face of the wall at the foundation... Not a good situation for an addition.

Any chance of supporting the addition with a new three story interior stud wall at the interior of the leanning brick wall?

That or build out the brick to the inside, or rebuild the wall.

Any indication in local history as to what caused the wall to lean?

Are you in a high seismic area?

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)


 
Msquared48 -
You are correct about the CG. Low seismic. No historical data at all.

Building three story wall is too expensive.

How would you calculate the overall stability of this wall?
 
The wall leaned for a reason. Without knowing the reason, or if any remedial steps were taken in the psst, I would recommend to remove and replace.

I still think though that an interior wood stud bearing wall would work and be a lot cheaper in the long run.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)


 
Im trying to picture the wall, you say 0 at the roof, but 4" at the first floor. Are you saying the wall is moving inward? Or, relative to the base, the wall is moving outward 4" at the top? Perhaps a sketch to get my head around this!
 
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