Expert: Dave Johnson - 8/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm out of "follow up" questions. Did you receive the last set of pics? If so, what structural contribution do those round steel bars provide in terms of joist & wall support?
Thanks,
Gerry

ANSWER: Hi Gerry, I didn't realize there was a limit on follow-ups. Anyway, I see nothing in the re-bar that would change anything...

Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dave,

This house having been built in 1936, the building permits application is two pages showing only walls, doors, and windows.

I did not think that the 3/4" bars that are appended at each end(on opposite sides)of each joits,would contribute much.

Have you seen this type of construction in the past?

Do these bars typically bend 90 degrees and continue up and inside the walls?

Note that these are not re-bar but round bars at every other joist.

There must be a reason for these bars.

The house is re-enforced with what looks like 3/8" rebar,and they used a lot of it, and the walls are one foot thick (three bricks).

So, what do these bars do?

Thanking you again,

Gerry

Answer
Hi Gerry,
Todays masons use a grid like reinforcing between every 3 or 4 courses of brick that is only about 1/8" with 2 outer runs and a diagonal pattern joining the 2 together. the re-bar you see is serving the same purpose, certainly stronger than modern methods.
They will add considerably to the strength of the walls.

Dave