Tempo:
Control joints are necessary in walls longer than 25 m (82 ft.) and at intervals not greater than 15 m (49 ft.). Locate control joints first at natural planes of weakness such as window and door edges. Control joints are not mandatory but recommended for short walls. After removal of the wall forms, the groove in the exterior face of the wall should be caulked with a good-quality joint sealer. The dampproofing material, applied after the caulking operation, must be compatible with the sealant.
Insulating Concrete Form Foundations Insulating concrete form (ICF) foundations are made up of two polystyrene faces held apart by permanent plastic or metal spacers and are being used increasingly in Canada.
When concrete is poured into the space between the polystyrene faces, they provide both permanent formwork and insulation for the concrete wall. The polystyrene eliminates the need for form stripping and promotes curing. For housing applications—foundations not supporting more than two floors with a maximum floor-to-ceiling height of 3 m (10 ft.)—typical concrete thicknesses range from 140 to 240 mm (51⁄2 to 91⁄2 in.). The reinforcing required is dependent on the wall thickness and the height of the backfill supported by the wall. The connection of the ICF foundation wall to the wood-frame floor (Figure 43) is similar to that of the cast-in-place concrete wall without polystyrene forms. Where an ICF foundation supports a masonry wall, the top of the ICF may be flared and reinforced to accommodate the masonry.
43 Insulating concrete form foundation gypsum board vapour barrier and air barrier system
exterior finish
subfloor floor joist
vapour-permeable air-barrier material
rim joist
lap building paper over flashing
sill plate
rigid insulation flashing
form tie
parging finish above grade
gypsum board
Insulating Concrete Form Foundations Insulating concrete form (ICF) foundations are made up of two polystyrene faces held apart by permanent plastic or metal spacers and are being used increasingly in Canada.
When concrete is poured into the space between the polystyrene faces, they provide both permanent formwork and insulation for the concrete wall. The polystyrene eliminates the need for form stripping and promotes curing. For housing applications—foundations not supporting more than two floors with a maximum floor-to-ceiling height of 3 m (10 ft.)—typical concrete thicknesses range from 140 to 240 mm (51⁄2 to 91⁄2 in.). The reinforcing required is dependent on the wall thickness and the height of the backfill supported by the wall. The connection of the ICF foundation wall to the wood-frame floor (Figure 43) is similar to that of the cast-in-place concrete wall without polystyrene forms. Where an ICF foundation supports a masonry wall, the top of the ICF may be flared and reinforced to accommodate the masonry.
43 Insulating concrete form foundation gypsum board vapour barrier and air barrier system
exterior finish
subfloor floor joist
vapour-permeable air-barrier material
rim joist
lap building paper over flashing
sill plate
rigid insulation flashing
form tie
parging finish above grade
gypsum board
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