Hello,
We are building an 2 storey side extension which is 3.8m x 6.5m using solid wall construction (celcon foundation blocks). On the ground floor, we are building an internal wall using blocks. On the 1st floor, the side wall is spans the length of extension without any internal partition. The structural engineer has added a steel column on the 1st floor with a steel beam connected to the edge of the column. When we questioned this with the SE, they said it was needed for lateral restraint because it is unbroken and longer than 6m. It doesn't make sense to me so I have tried to find more information about this on the internet but failed and struggling to understand it.
There seems to be some very knowledgeable people on this forum and hope someone can help either to explain why it is needed and if there are any alternatives.
We are building an 2 storey side extension which is 3.8m x 6.5m using solid wall construction (celcon foundation blocks). On the ground floor, we are building an internal wall using blocks. On the 1st floor, the side wall is spans the length of extension without any internal partition. The structural engineer has added a steel column on the 1st floor with a steel beam connected to the edge of the column. When we questioned this with the SE, they said it was needed for lateral restraint because it is unbroken and longer than 6m. It doesn't make sense to me so I have tried to find more information about this on the internet but failed and struggling to understand it.
There seems to be some very knowledgeable people on this forum and hope someone can help either to explain why it is needed and if there are any alternatives.
