L-shaped opening with double steel portal

The challenge

An L-shaped opening means load-bearing material is removed in two directions. Load therefore arrives from two planes rather than one - and both meet at the intersection.

That corner is the critical detail. It needs a structure that picks up load from two directions and transfers it as a combined force.

Our approach

Propping went in along both directions before any demolition, because capacity was being removed on two sides.

A double portal was built with the two structural lines meeting at the corner. That connection was detailed before steel arrived on site.

Once set, the structure was loaded progressively by releasing the props in stages, keeping settlement controlled.

Outcome

An L-shaped opening with a frame carrying load from two directions.

Technically one of the more demanding openings we carry out, and representative of the level of structural work we take on.