Leveling grout filled concrete block

[jmf]

I'm a mechanical engineer building a light-gauge steel framed house. Light-gauge steel beams and floor joists will be anchor-bolted to concrete filled (concrete) block (crawl space) foundation wall and interior piers. I need a level surface for the beams/joists. The blocks are level and piers/walls straight. However, concrete was not completely filled to the top of all blocks. Some walls/piers need an additional 1/2 inch to 2 inches of concrete to allow a level surface for beam/joist placement. I do not want beams/joists resting only upon the blocks.

Everyone asked (from concrete contractors to concrete product vendors to know-it-all neighbors) have recommended different products to fix the problem. I have not received the same answer twice (except leave-as-is).

I plan to (eventually) live in the house.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.

 

[Qshake]

My $0.02. I would use a non-shrink grout that is most likely available at your local hardware store.

A lot of times when I was looking at houses for my own purchase, I would see beams supported on wood shims in the beam pockets. This is very poor practice. So, let me state for the record: DO NOT shim your beams with pieces of wood.

 

[Ron]

I agree with Qshake...don't shim with anything.

The non-shrink grout will work fine. You may also use an epoxy or polymer grout patching compound (Sika has several as does Thoro (

http://www.sika.com

and

http://www.chemrex.com,

respectively)).

 

[phuduhudu]

It may be that the reason everyone recommends a different product is that there are so many on the market but they area all pretty similar. You just need to check the manufacturers instructions for what thickness grout bed you can lay. In your case you won't be particularly concerned with the strength as the loads are small. Carl Bauer

http://www.bauerconsultbotswana.com