3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
(OP)
Our client wants to be able to drill 3" diameter holes @12" o.c 12" down from the rigid roof diaphragm. What's the best way to analyze this problem? It's a single story building in a high seismic category E?





RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Can someone tell me how to look at this problem? Do I need to make regions around each hole opening or should I take the out-to-out dimensions of all the openings and model a single opening to represent them?
thanks
vvs
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Dik
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Also, at 12" down, I trust that you are not putting the holes through the bond beam at the edge of the roof diaphragm with the risk of cutting any chord steel.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Mike, at 12" down was exactly to prevent what you've mentioned (not putting holes through the bond beam). One other concern I have is to prevent the dowels reinforcement from being cut. (see dowel detail - SK-2). What can I do to prevent this from happening?
thank you both for your input and confirmation.
vvs
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
here's the correct Sk-1
vvs
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Nothing wrong with an additional bond beam below the small cored holes if you can make is effective considering the amount of grout and rebar that was intentionally placed or just dumped into the unreinforced cores. - A common problem that occurs without initial regard to the masonry units used/specified and the construction inspection.
If it was "belt and suspenders" project it will work. The wall is the structural element for the building itself and you can go crazy trying to micro analyze what is in place and how to redesign it. The arbitrary excessive grouting could be a problem regarding placement and application if a second bond beam was actually required.
Poke a few holes in the wall to see what is there before going too far.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: 3" DIAMETER HOLES IN CMU SHEAR WALLS
Also, check on the amount of excess grout that can affect your remediation process, since that can affect the methods and placement. You never know whether you are dealing with 2,3 or 1 core block or if they are eccentric for ideal vertical steel/grout alignment.
Without knowing the project location and age, it is difficult to give good recommendations on grouting.
If you are in the Eastern U.S, the block are probably the 2 core "clunkers" with flush ends and reasonable core alignment and minimal web alignment that do not allow good grouting. Elsewhere, there are many of variations that are made for good initial construction.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.