Metal stud bearing wall attachment to top of CMU 1

[Ben29]

Typically we would run the concrete slab on grade over top of the block and attach the track to the concrete slab via PAFs. The new energy code is forcing us to do a funky detail where the slab barely touches the block wall.

I am showing the below detail with concrete poured on top of the block. The architect wants to bear the metal stud wall directly on top of grout filled cells. My argument is that I don't think they can get the top of the block wall flat enough to install the wall properly. What are your thoughts on this?

I know you are going to suggest just pouring a concrete wall, but for the sake of the discussion, lets take that off the table for now.

 

[XR250]

I would let that be the contractor's headache. Might have to resort to Tapcons or similar if they have to shim or grout.

 

[Brad805]

A good mason will get it level and a sloppy one will not. Of the masons I have met in my years, the vast majority are fussy and take pride in their work. I agree with XR.

 

[Ben29]

Thank you! Appreciate it.

 

[phamENG]

Glad you got the wall part figured out, but can we talk about the slab/insulation detail?

That came through this area a few years ago...it was all the rage...all the architects started showing it. Some of us convinced them not to do it, others weren't so lucky. I didn't hear of a single one that was built performing well. Concrete doesn't even do 90 degree angles very well (chamfered edges at exposed corners?)...so it definitely won't do a 45 degree angle well. Your aggregate is going to have a certain size...at some point it wont fit in that little wedge and you'll just have cement paste with some sand out there. It's going to crack. It's going to look bad. Talk with the architect and get them to stop the full width insulation at the bottom of the slab and run thinner insulation up between the slab and the foundation wall. By the time they put gyp and trim on, you won't see it anyway.

 

[XR250]

I agree - that detail is stupid. Seen that around here as well.