Seismic reinforcing of CMU window sills

[McSEpllc]

I have a school building in construction that the GC forgot to install the seismic horizontal reinforcing of the CMU window sill as detailed. ACI 530, section 1.14.2.2.2.1 clearly states requiring that reinforcing.

On the other hand the windows are only 3'-4" wide, less than the 8'-0" width between vertical seismic bars. The seismicity for Western North Carolina is not that great. We have about 300 quakes a year that are very rarely even perceptible and there is no force build-up. In my mind whether the horizontal reinforcing of a 3'-4" wide window sills is in place or not will not change the behavior of the wall or be the cause of a collapse.

Have you had this before and how did you deal with this?

Thanks!


Eric McDonald, PE
McDonald Structural Engineering, PLLC

 

[msucog]

there's the eastern tn fault and charleston fault...both of which could produce sizable eq's. if the contractor missed it, then the contractor should put it in at their cost. don't be the accommadating scape goat..."no good dead goes unpunished". that's my advice as a former contractor and as a geotechnical & construction materials testing engineer (also special inspector for what it's worth).

if it's supposed to be there per the plans/specs, then it should be there..at least contractually. good luck