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Design criteria

Design criteria

Design criteria

(OP)
For design criteria using California Building Code 2013, we called out:
1. Soil bearing pressure 1500 PSF.
2. Concrete strength at 28 days: 2000 psi
3. Reinforcing steel: ASTM A-615 grade 60

The plan checker had questioned the above values. Any reason why?

RE: Design criteria

I don't know about in California, but 2000 psi concrete is not considered to be suitable for structural purposes where I am.

RE: Design criteria

What exactly were his comments? Just 'I question those values?'

I agree I would not use anything less than 4000psf for concrete unless a footing, then 3000psf.

RE: Design criteria

I echo the comments of those above. California Building Code (2009 is the latest version I have) references ACI 318-08 for structural concrete (Section 2, page x). ACI 318 specifies a minimum of 2500 psi concrete in paragraph 1.1.1.

RE: Design criteria

Wow...how much cost saving is there when you spec 2ksi concrete. 2.5ksi is the minimum for structural, but still you throw a reasonable amount of material in there and you ought to get 3ksi if only by accident.

RE: Design criteria

Nothing less than 3000 psi here either.

What kind of a structure is this and what is the soil like?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: Design criteria

I endorse this being challenged at this stage in the project.. Huge amounts of money can be wasted if the design criteria is not accurate or complete (completeness being the hard part)

To that end - 1500 psf soil bearing pressure is lower than I've normally seen but maybe its a California / seismic issue?

none the Less - the allowable bearing pressure absolutely needs to be verified by soil testing.. this was not mentioned. Has it been performed?

agreed on higher concrete strength

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