Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
(OP)
I received a call regarding a residential foundation where the superstructure was damaged/destroyed in a fire. The superstructure has been removed and is slated to be replaced. I have not seen it yet, but the way the owner has described the foundation wall to me (three core, thick webs and face shell) makes me assume that it is 8", 75% solid CMU. To make matters simple for explanation, local code is saying the wall must be grouted solid, even though the owner says there were no signs of distress (I'll verify that in the field). The owner says contractors have told him it's not possible to grout the wall solid. Does anyone know a way to grout a wall like this solid? Can it be done? Thanks.






RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
DaveAtkins
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
Why is it not possible for the contractor to solid grout the walls? In extreme cased, you can break the face shells and grout the wall from the side. Nobody's going to be too thrilled about that though.
The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
Also: Be careful about listening to the contractor's "can't do it" talk... Many contractors are generalists who would never have seen, let alone know anything about, clean outs and face shell openings.
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
@Msquared48 - it's not a fire wall but it does retain earth for most of the height - why would it not be allowed if works structurally? Am I missing something?
@KootK - grouting solid usually increases the area by 50% and the section modulus by about 40%. Good structural benefits.
@CELinOttawa - I'm not sure I see why there would be a lawsuit over the masonry (if there are no issues and it is within allowable stresses)?
Thanks, all, for the comments.
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
Thus in future if the wall fails in durability you may find yourself defending your decisions, even if the cause has nothing to do with your work. I don't know the stats, but I'm willing to bet omissions are a major source of lawsuits.
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
I was always taught to grout CMU solid below the finished grade level, and I thought there was a code section requiring this.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
thread507-181850: Masonry Below & At Grade
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Grouting 75% solid CMU walls
thread507-98290: Grouting CMU foundation walls below grade
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)