Can I build cement-block walls on peer and beem foundation?
EugeneTheBuilder
| Posted in Code Questions on
is the recommended path for houses is dig below the freeze (46 inches in my state) and then pour a footer 24×8?
Would it be ok if I put a bunch of concrete peers with rebar, then rebar on the top above the grade and pour some like 12×12 beam with 3×3 rebars in it tied to the rebar on the footers? Then when I lay the bricks I’ll have rebar there too all the way up til the roof topped with another vertical rebar*concrete beam?
I want to build a single-floor cabin on it with cinder blocks The lot is super wooded so peers would be easiest I think
Replies
What you are proposing is called a grade beam. Yes you can do what you suggest. Yes it does need to be engineered.
Sweet thank you, I was talking to the city on my other questions today :) It sounds like I need to show that foundation plan to the local inspector and once he approves I'm good?
You know there are no engineers needed when we are building decks. somehow we know we need X of holes Y inches wide Z feet deep to provide the support, Is there a way to re-use that?
I'm planning a single-story house from the CMU, we can calculate it weight, and I'm sure the is someone at the county who knows what is the soil loads like on the nearby houses.
In all due respect, based on your reply, you really do need an engineer.
haha, maybe or maybe not. my house has 2 posts that sit on 2x4 on the bare soil. I bet the builder used the engineer and then the inspector came by and approved it all.
No builders (maybe some :) in the USA give you a warranty for the new house.
Maybe I need to read some books, maybe I need to talk to someone who is an expert in the field, but I don't really need an engineer.
Thank you!
PS something like this https://youtu.be/w3dR9Vs95nw?t=318
see he talks about pre-engineered solutions that will pass the code.
we know it's a sanded flat lot in MN with freezing bellow 42inches surrounded by woods
and we are building a CMU single-story house :)
I found the GIS maps online for my county where soil type is specified per lots, also found all the permits in my county filled for the last 2 years, now am looking at what are people building and what is approved by county.