Stemwall thickness
joenorm
| Posted in General Questions on
More of a structural question than Green Building.
My Engineer spec’d minimums for a 1400 sqft home with maybe a 1/3 of the footprint being 2 -story.
He called out 6″ wide stem walls for the perimeter foundation. Everyone I mention this to says that 8″ is standard for a 2 story building. My Engineer’s response is “I spec minimums, you can always build bigger if you want”.
I would like to build to the minimum and save on the concrete cost but I also don’t want to be stupid and skimp on the foundation if it will potentially be a problem later.
Any thoughts on a 6″ stemwall?
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Joe,
For structural elements building codes typically specify generous minimums that are designed to satisfy a range of possible conditions. My structural engineer regularly downsizes the footings and area of the exterior designated as shear-walls, while often increasing the reinforcing and nailing patterns. If he says it is adequate, you don't have much reason to doubt him. But if it is going to haunt you, going to 8" wan't cost much more.
Joe -
Good to hear that your engineer is engineering!
What thickness you need is based on loads from your building and the bearing capacity of what's beneath your foundation: soils.
Go with the guy or gal you paid for.
Peter