Superior Wall - precast basement foundation walls

[HouseBoy]

Does anyone have experience with this product? I'm interested in opinions about the structural make-up of the panels. Is anyone aware of how they can be justified thru any reasonable ACI provisions?

Here's a link to the product:

http://www.superiorwalls.com/

They are somewhat like plywood foundation systems, only in concrete. I'm especially concerned about the connection between the facing and the concrete "studs".
I'm interested in how someone might be able to justify the structural design of the panel/system.

 

[bylar]

Note that the Superior wall does not have a footing. It sits on compacted crushed stone. Personally I do not like that aspect of the system. It is used a great deal in our area.

 

[HouseBoy]

Thanks bylar. I agree (about the crushed stone) but I am hoping to discuss the design and analysis of the concrete wall panels themselves. The concrete studs are separated from the face panel by the 1/4 inch foam and connected only thru a few 20d nails and (maybe) a #3 bar at the top and bottom. I don't see how that works. Also, the haunches they use for brick veneer support are "connected" to the face panel with short pieces of bar(no hooks, no nothing). I don't think there is any way they could be confirming to any ACI provisions for dowels or embedment length or corbels etc.
In your area, how do they get the local building authority to accept it? Is it in your building code? I have seen some things recently that relate to code acceptance but that seems to be mostly about the crushed stone bearing.
I have seen very little on the CONCRETE DESIGN (asside from the manufacturers info and testing which I find dubious).
I just don't see how it can be justified by any ACI design provisions and I am wondering if anyone out there has evaluated the product in this way or if anyone has seen how others have justified it. I would think that the maunfacturers might need to satisfy local buildingn authorities with some detailed engineering evaluation by a local engineer as a way to gain acceptance. Do local engineers stamp designs in a manner that is similar to wood truss designs? I am not aware of that practice but I really don't know.

 

[SERaymond]

It system have it limitations parameters by the ICC, please visit the following Web page:

http://www.superiorwalls.com/pdf/builder_pdfs/21-72.pdf

Is very important to verify in your local area if you require the UBC97 parameters or if the ICC is the accepted code at your local area.

Other important point is to consider the hurricanes, tornados, effect with it system because in my opinion you need have precautions using it system for construction.

I think that it product for partition in combination with a moment resisting frames look good, but the wind pressures need to be considered in the design.