Unlevel CMU Stem Wall

[UnneutralAxis]

I have a job that has a ridiculously unlevel (or more correctly, not straight) stem wall. Three courses high. Supporting wood shear walls. Seismic Design B. 90 mph wind. Shear flow around 400 plf. Corrective action is needed.

I call for the cells to be grouted. Fortunately they have not been yet. I was thinking of forming off the top course about 4 inches and when pouring grout, pour on up to the top of the form and trowel off. Then puddle in anchor bolts and hold downs. Of course, longer anchor bolts will be needed now.

Anyone see a problem with this?

 

[UnneutralAxis]

Sorry, typo. Not 4 inches of grout, more around 2". That number pad gets me some times!

 

[concretemasonry]

That is a possible acceptable solution. The important thing is to get the right size anchor bolts placed properly and embedded deep enough. - Make sure the bolts on the anchor bolts are in place after the framing is sufficiently completed (they get misplaced frequently when different trades get involved).

Must not have been much control over the masonry, because common practice when a footing is not level is to gradually adjust the levelness at every mortar joint instead of blindly building a uniform height wall on an apparently incorrect strip footing.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[msquared48]

A couple of questions here:

Is there any evidence that the strip footing settled or cracked due to poor bearing?

I trust that raising the structure 2" will not interferre with any local height restrictions. Sometimes things are REAL tight that way...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ToadJones]

may just as easily frame the shear wall to match the slope.
I cant tell you how many homes I have framed perfectly square atop foundation walls that weren't even close.

 

[UnneutralAxis]

It was like a kid was playing with some blocks. It looks like something that a high schooler at a vocational school would do his first time out. Pitiful.

Here's a pic...

 

[UnneutralAxis]

Strip footing is fine. Actually, in this area the footing is on rock. It is poor workmanship. Plain and simple.

I've framed homes too. Plenty. This just isn't acceptable to build off of.

Also, important to keep in mind is the same guy intends to frame it that is responsible for the unlevel wall.

 

[ToadJones]

WHOA!!!!
Thats totally ridiculous!

Step one- get rid of the jackass that laid that block if he is also your framer.

Step Two- knock the top course of block off all the way around and form the top of the wall up to the elevation the block SHOULD have been.

Step Three- Pour CMU cells and top ~8" of newly formed wall in one shot with concrete/grout with anchors preset.

Step 4- Send bill to aforementioned jackass.

 

[msquared48]

Was the wall built VERY quickly during a period of local seismic ground undulations?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[UnneutralAxis]

I had the idea of knocking the course off, but I think I can salvage it by doing the work I described above. Just hoping that maybe one of you guys ran into this before.

I wrote a letter to the owner encouraging him to find a new GC too. This is one of those guys who builds crap homes and decided to build commercial during the down times. You wouldn't believe the headaches I've had so far. I've spent around 20 hours inspecting a 2' by 1' deep continuous footer that has (3)No. 5 bars, ties @ 24", and vertical dowels. UNBELIEVABLE...

Everything that has been done so far has been taken out and redone.

 

[ToadJones]

hahaha
Nice Mike....it was either that or during many 12 oz. undulations.

 

[msquared48]

Or he was trying to do a local demonstration of standing wave theory to a group of... well, probably to a girlfriend as was the ex-Captain of the Elwa - a local story 20 years ago.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ToadJones]

I was just thinking that knocking off the top course would help hide the abominable masonry work

 

[UnneutralAxis]

ToadJones

That did make me laugh out loud, but I can't bring myself to write that abbreviation on screen!

Luckily, the slab and exterior grade will eventually cover it up. It is a mess though, isn't it? Glad to have someone agree with me because (of course) the contractor thought it was great.

"Hell, hit won't matter once ya get the wood on hit." We live in a rural Appalachia area. I talk like that too actually.

 

[ToadJones]

I'm a Yinzer of sorts so the talk is nothing new to me.

 

[ToadJones]

I just dont get it....I have seen many new homes with a few course a little bit wavy in the middle of the wall if the mason was lazy and only used his string every other course. But, they usually get the last few course back on.
Maybe this guy isn't a mason, but practices "masonary"...drives me nuts when people say that

 

[msquared48]

Looks like he had at least two too many "hit"s there.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[UnneutralAxis]

I'll let you guys know how the fix goes and try to remember to post some pics.

 

[msquared48]

Tell the "mason" that a Laser Level is not a new drink. Nor is a String Line, or a Water Level. He may be from Appalacia, but it's not the dark ages.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ToadJones]

Holy #@$$
I just zoomed in on the picture....I can't help it, that is the funniest thing I have seen in a while.
It looks like a Saw Tooth Roof.