piping through grade beam

[aka83]

Hello, The plumbing guys in the project want to run pipelines through my grade beams, was thinking of widening the beams, is that how it is typically done...looking for advice from people who have been in this situation. thanks all

 

[hokie66]

If you mean intersecting the beams, it usually requires deepening rather than widening. Make sure there is compressible material around the pipes. This requires a lot of coordination, as pipes tend to slope, while grade beams don't. Much better to run the pipes above or below the beams.

 

[JAE]

We also do what hokie suggests - wrapping the pipes with a compressible material - usually 1" (12mm) or so thick to allow pipe and beam relative movements without distressing either.

The grade beams, many times for us, are quite over sized due to our beams needing to be below 3'-6" frost level so we don't get too worried if a 6 to 8" pipe intersects our beam....unless the pipe goes through the main longitudinal reinforcement.

 

[hokie66]

Errata...1" is about 25mm.

 

[JAE]

You are correct. I do not use mm too often and winged it.

Thanks for covering my back!