Padstones unders steels

[Vijay]

Should a padstone always be used under an RSJ in load bearing walls? The S.E I've used (regrettably) keeps overlooking so much that I'm totally fed up with them. 

 

It's a pretty long steel (5m odd IIRC) so I'm might surprised he states it sits directly on the block wall

[Mr Punter]

I would normally expect to use a bit (450mm ish) of concrete lintel under the steel.  Cheap and will not crush.

[Chablais]

The SE we used was adamant,  that every steel sat on a padstone, we are using either cut down lintels or casting insitu. Speaking to the blocklayer helping me, he has seen many a cracked block when a padstone has not been used.

[bassanclan]

Or two/three courses solid engineering bricks

[MikeSharp01]

1 hour ago, Vijay said:

Should a padstone always be used under an RSJ in load bearing walls?

Broadly yes in brick / soft block situations you need to spread the loads out. There is some good stuff here: http://nhbccampaigns.co.uk/landingpages/techzone/previous_versions/2011/Part6/section5/appendix.htm

 

[Vijay]

Thanks everyone. I'm baffled why the S.E has ignored it as I've already pointed it out to him.

[nod]

3 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

I would normally expect to use a bit (450mm ish) of concrete lintel under the steel.  Cheap and will not crush.

Save a lots of money 

Also steel in a concrete lintel 

My SE spect assorts of odd sizes 

About £300 worth 

lintels a fraction of that