"Lew Hodgett" wrote

If I were doing this job, shear load is not going to be a problem;
however, cantilever loading could be.

Precisely ... and the width of the mantle from front to back is an important
component of this particular force, and, like the wall material, is unknown
at present.

Nothing like trying to offer solutions when most of the important factors
are unknown.

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Last update: 3/27/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)