We recently poured a small foundation for an addition and when we were putting on the plates I realised that the STAB bolts for the holddowns were placed at 2″3/4 o.c.. The wall above it is 2×4. The bolts should have been placed at 1″1/2 o.c.. Now that it is too late how should I rectify this problem? Is there an offset coupling? Any insight will be appreciated.
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Brian,
If you have not already ordered doors and windows, consider 2x6 walls. If this is not an option, I would cut the bolts and drill for and install 1/2 wedge anchors.
You can drill and epoxy (with engineer's approval). We've done that before.
To be honest, sometimes we do that because it's easier than getting them exact when we pour the concrete. We are framers, not concrete guys. We can do it, but sometimes it's a headache saver to drill them in later. Obviosly that depends on the number and situation etc.
We built a house a few years back for a Structural Engineer and in his detached garage/shop he wanted all the bolts drilled and epoxied instead of setting j-bolts or holddown bolts.
I''m not sure it would make any difference if they're off that much. If you set your wall with the exterior sheathering flush with the outside of the foundation, you're pretty close to center anyway.
If it bothers you, you could have a metal shop make some oversized rectangular "washers" to spread the load out.
But I'd definitely check it out with your building inspector, if you have one.
Life is full of uncertainties...or I could be wrong about that?
Unless you are in an earthquake zone or a high wind zone with extremely tight inspections, I can't imagine that it will matter
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Yea, what Piffin said... If it's a problem for your inspector once the plates are bolted down with the existing off center hold downs it is a piece of cake to punch new holes through the plate and into the slab with a hammer drill for expansion bolt anchors. I definitely wouldn't worry about it if your inspector doesn't.
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
You may be able to work around this by taking a length of pipe and bend the SSTB's out torwards the edge, maybe 10 degrees max. There's always a little play in the hold down and maybe you can mount them slightly angled against the 4X4.
I would definately check with the inspector first. Remember, most inspectors are not out there to get you.
You could also bring your walls in a little closer. So, try a combination of bending the bolt a little, fudging the plate line and I bet you'll still get full coverage on the face of the 4x4. It's desirable to have the sheathing flush with the slab anyway.
Tony