CMU Pier code question
CMU Pier code question
(OP)
I'm a steel and concrete guy, and looking at a problem regarding piers for a residence I found something that doesn't quite jive with my "common-sense-o-meter".
The residence in question is a 1900s era post and beam house, founded on highly questionable rubble piers. Frost is 48". Girders are roughly 3' above grade. State/city have adopted IRC.
2015 IRC R404.1.9.2 States that "piers supporting girders for exterior bearing walls shall have a minimum nominal dimension of 12 inches and a maximum height of 4 feet from the top of footing to the bottom of sill plate or girder."
Has anyone seen any clarifications on this? Are CMU piers effectively banned in certain areas now, since we certainly would not want timber girders sitting at grade.
The residence in question is a 1900s era post and beam house, founded on highly questionable rubble piers. Frost is 48". Girders are roughly 3' above grade. State/city have adopted IRC.
2015 IRC R404.1.9.2 States that "piers supporting girders for exterior bearing walls shall have a minimum nominal dimension of 12 inches and a maximum height of 4 feet from the top of footing to the bottom of sill plate or girder."
Has anyone seen any clarifications on this? Are CMU piers effectively banned in certain areas now, since we certainly would not want timber girders sitting at grade.





RE: CMU Pier code question
Dik
RE: CMU Pier code question
RE: CMU Pier code question
By my view as well as the owners preference, existing piers will not be saved. All new. CMU is the preferred material, but for the exterior piers the above excerpt took me by surprise. I had planned on a row of cmu piers spaced as dictated by loading and the beam section and properties.
If I’m reading this correctly, it throws a wrench in those plans.
RE: CMU Pier code question
RE: CMU Pier code question
I’m hoping that I’m missing something in the code and that there is an exception somewhere, but I haven’t seen it. It is certainly a common practice, especially in areas further south of me (I’m in NY where full basements are the norm).
RE: CMU Pier code question
Check out Eng-Tips Forum's Policies here:
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies