Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: The Scientist on 03/07/2010 09:49:43

Title: An interesting question, hopefully.
Post by: The Scientist on 03/07/2010 09:49:43

Any architect will tell you that chimneys are never used as a weight-bearing part of a wall. Why is that so?

Title: An interesting question, hopefully.
Post by: Bored chemist on 03/07/2010 16:55:05

What holds up the chimney pot?

Title: An interesting question, hopefully.
Post by: SeanB on 03/07/2010 20:33:17

As they get very hot during use, and thus expand and contract, they will quickly break away from any masonry that they are holding up, and leave it unsupported. As well the chimney is the one part of the house that is likely to be broken down and rebuilt during the life of the house, as you do need to reline it due to the bricks wearing out.

Title: An interesting question, hopefully.
Post by: Murchie85 on 07/07/2010 12:56:46

I used to be a brick layer and as I recall the chimney is not made from normal common brick or facing bring, it is usually fire or engineering brick and hence not designed to be massively load baring. Fire bricks can be quite brittle and smash easy so I don't think the would be good under huge amounts of strain, also there is the issue of the expansion and contraction of the brick.