I am cutting a 48 ” new doorway in a 8″ masonary 1953 house (exterior brick and backed up by 4″ block). ’65 to ’69 spent summers first as a laborer and then move up to apprentice block and then bricklayer — I know what is am doing on the laying part but do not know if a 60″ lintel (6″ of bearing surface is enough on each side of the 48″ opening.
Short of telling me to ask an engineer or the county — does anyone know the bearing surface that I need for this type of linter — will use the ‘L’ shaped one for the brick side and then the same for the block side
tks — all the best – Dudley
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bump
Don't know for sure, but have seen I-beams in basements that ran closer to 20 feet that rested on only 3-4" at each end, so I'm thinking what you propose would be fine.
I don't have experience with solid masonry construction, only brick veneer but know for a brick veneer 6" of lentil bearing is fine. Of course we don, know what is above the opening you are cutting in...
Look at the Brick Institute of America's web site - they have a technical notes section: http://bia.org/html/frmset_thnt.htm