Home Lab (Building Question, non EE)

[Ian.M]

If they were originally intended to be load-bearing, they would have been tied in to the brickwork behind them, either by regularly spaced tie courses that would be visible in the column as end-on pairs of bricks, or by metal brick ties set into the joints.   No such ties were found and one of the columns was found to be loose once the top couple of bricks were removed, so if any load had been placed on it it would probably have buckled inwards towards the room and collapsed.  Also, unless the window was opened up afterwards, one would expect that reinforcing pillars would be of the same type of brick.   

However it would be worth seeking local expert advice on whether it would be advisable to reinstate them on the outside of the wall, with proper footings and fully tied in to the existing  brickwork.

[Monkeh]

Here is a picture that shows what those columns are used for.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3o4eums8_VE/TyeqyzP_bmI/AAAAAAAABXY/AEAHy6n75k0/s800/DSCF2893.JPG

Now you need to wait till the load is enough to down the ceiling,

Of dubious utility, constructed like that.

I guess we didn't send many good brickies down under!

[Galenbo]

I pulled one pillar down completely, never found anything that binds the wall to the pillar,...

That was a very dangerous construction. Every professional builder or architect would have advised to remove it immediately.

Here is a picture that shows what those columns are used for.

When properly attached to the wall, or included in the construction. There are multiple solutions for doing that.
The simplest is to drill a hole at a horizontal angle and put a bar or even a long screw every 3 to 5 rows.

[Monkeh]

Here is a picture that shows what those columns are used for.

When properly attached to the wall. There are multiple solutions for doing that.
The simplest is to drill a hole and put a bar or even a long screw every 3 to 5 rows.

No, the simplest is to bond the column into the wall when you build it.

[Galenbo]

Seems you were 4 seconds faster than my last edit.