Katie 2013 Log

Tue Mar 12, 2013

Reviewed parameters of Test Assignment received from Marcin Jakubowski on Mar 11, 2013. Created Katie Log.

Wed Mar 13, 2013 to Fri Mar 15, 2013

My primary source for foundation decisions is the Builder’s Foundation Handbook, by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Envelope Systems and Material (BTESM) Research Program out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This resource highlights energy efficiency and cost.

Foundation

Three basic types of foundation – full, basement, crawl space, and slab-on-grade. Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.6

Four factors to consider when choosing foundation: Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.7

1. Site conditions:

a. Topography is rolling hills and plains. The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri conducted in 1916, is the most recent soil survey. “[Dekalb County] occupies a broad rolling, well-dissected plain, with a gradual slope to south and south east…The surface varies from flat to moderately hilly, although more than 80 percent of the area is only gently rolling. No considerable part of the county is too flat to have a good surface drainage.” The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, p.5

b. Water table location (not an issue for foundation, instead optimistic for sourcing well water) "There is no difficulty in obtaining an abundant supply of water by means of dug wells. The wells are usually 35 to 65 feet in depth, through borings have been made to 165 feet. The depth of the wells generally is equal to the thickness of the layers of unconsolidated material.” The Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, p.6

c. Radon: I recommend conducting a self-test to determine local radon level. Some self-test options found here: Radon Test Options. Justification for self-test: The county of DeKalb has a radon level of 4.3 pCi/L County Radon Info. The EPA’s recommends corrective measures for all levels above 4.0 pCi/L. radon.com Corrective measures recommended by the Builder’s Foundation Handbook and the EPA include gravel beneath slab, polyethylene, vent, plastic. EPA Radon Mitigation If a self-test confirms the local radon level to be above 4.0 pCi/L, then I recommend adhering to the Builder’s Foundation Handbook recommendations with respect to radon mitigation measures.

d. Soil type: “Expansive clay soils on a site requires special techniques” Builder’s Foundation Handbook, p.6 Based on the information in Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri, I am not considering clay to be an issue. Soil seems to be the primary soil type, recognizing this is an assumption I need to verify.

e. Depth of bedrock – Limestone and shale USGS

2. Building design is not a consideration here as the Builder’s Foundation Handbook considers building design with respect to aesthetics, which are a low priority. The design will form out of function, but there is little emphasis on aesthetics, if any.

3. Climate determines minimum foundation footing depth. Determining footing depth was terribly frustrating. The following are notes, but the immediate answer is 3 feet. While searching for building codes, “Missouri does not have a statewide building or energy code. Each local jurisdiction has the authority to adopt its own code. In most cases, local jurisdictions have adopted the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, National Building Code (NBC), although the western part of the state has adopted the International Conference Building Officials (ICBO), Uniform Building Code (UBC) and a few localities in the southeast use the Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI) Standard Building Code (SBC). Missouri General Assembly passed a bill that would allow the county commission of any county to adopt a building code subject to voter approval. In creating or amending such code, a calendar year 1999 or later edition of a nationally recognized building code must be adopted. (Section 64.180, RSMo).” DSIRE

Interior vertical insulation is the most cost-effective approach to insulating, please see Comparison of Insulation Approaches, Builder's Foundation Handbook, p.62 the Builder’s Foundation Handbook for comparisons.

4. Local cost

Sat Mar 16, 2013

The biggest take away I have from the past couple of days is that building codes and regulations are not easily accessible. There are international , national, regional, county, city and local codes/regulations. All of which are constantly adapting to climate impacts and technology. That said, the below plan is evolving since the information available is piecemeal. Why is it piecemeal? Traditionally when people build, they emulate other local structures. Since one room studios are not common in Missouri, my first look is to code and regulation. Google building code and building regulations and you are directed to local contractors. After frustration, I was able to rangle an informal conversation with an architect here in Alexandria, VA. He confirmed that building code/regulation is not out there for me to peruse. With such confirmation, I am going to post my notes thus far...and continue my research.

Connecting with a local Maysville or St. Joseph contractor would be ideal.