Steel Beam, Padstone and Coursing Question! All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[w44yne]

Hi all - some urgent advice please!

I'm about to start a wall removal & install a steel beam. I have the beam, which is 180mm 'tall', and the padstone which is 215mm (= 395mm).
However, they are being installed in an aerated block wall where the blocks are a standard 215mm.

So, as you can see the beam/padstone combination doesn't fit snugly.

I am considering removing the aerated block run below & using 73mm coursing bricks, and building up with mortar should come out about ok.

However, it looks like you can only get 73mm common 'concrete' bricks, and not 73mm aerated coursing bricks.

Are concrete bricks ok to use in these circumstances?

Standard 65mm coursing bricks do not appear to assist in any way.

Or indeed am I gong about this the wrong way?!!
Any observations or advice please greatly appreciated!

[Grantx]

Cut the block on the second course, ie to the level of the top of the beam. This will, as if by magic, correspond (or should do) to your level at which the joists sit.