mike has brought this to us :
Does anyone know if a 3.5 inch angle iron over a 12 foot span is
adequate to support 8 foot of brick wall above?

A 12 foot wide picture window was replaced in a cavity gable wall,
with the result that the outer skin of the wall started to collapse.
There's a lintel on the inner wall but the outer wall was just built
off the original frame.

The collapsed part of the wall was taken down, the angle iron
installed (I didn't see it installed but I'm calculating it's 3.5
inches as it's not the full width of the brick but the outer edge is
visible), and the brickwork rebuilt.

It wasn't inspected by BCO.

To me it looks like there's a noticeable bow in the middle.

I can see why angle iron would be used so as not to disturb the inner
skin, but it seems quite a long span, and that some sort of U-shaped
construction on its side that would allow two or three courses of
bricks to be built within the U would be required. How is the weight
of the roof factored in?


That is a very wide, almost unsupported gap. When angle is used for a
such a wide gap it can tend to twist sideways as it bows, so I would be
very concerned about its potential for collapse, especially with all of
that considerable weight upon it. For your families safety I would
suggest putting one, better two Acro's in urgently until a proper
structural survey has been done.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk