C. FOOTINGS

Install standard footings as required by site-specific soil conditions and in accordance with local codes. Footings should be level within 1 cm all directions. The SmartBlockPlus Installation Manual provides a general table of footing designs for a range of soil load-bearing capacities. At a minimum, #5 vertical dowels 40.64 in length, should be placed 8” into the footing every four feet to connect the footing to the SmartBlockPlus wall.

There should be at least 7.6 cm of concrete coverage between the soil and the bottom of the dowel. Although there may be conditions that require less rebar for this connection, this is the minimum recommended practice for SmartBlockPlus. Additional rebar may be required in high seismic areas and/or where severe lateral loads will be placed on the wall from soil, hydrostatic or wind pressure. Be sure to mark door openings to avoid placing dowels in these open spaces.

Snap a chalk line on the footing (or slab) to mark the outside of the SmartBlockPlus wall. Be sure to mark the location of window and door openings, including the height at which the bottom of the window rough openings is to be located.