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Aloha, has anyone ever come across any websites or reference materials that discuss or have any drawings explaining how to do "3 block or 5 block corners"?
I can always tell which houses are permitted by seeing the corner siding extending down to near grade level. This keeps the building from racking, hopping off the foundation, etc. in an earthquake, makes sense but I've yet to see how its done, as in how the pier blocks, siding, posts are connected. Google searches have so far proven futile, thanks!
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I've seen the technique; it looks like a shear wall on blocks, the blocks aren't otherwise connected.
Seems like most new construction is using poured corners, not piers; not sure it's a "requirement" but wouldn't be surprised.
Side effect of poured corners: you can set your ground in the concrete instead of drilling a 10' hole for the rod.
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Speaking of ground rods...... when I installed mine I got a heavy demo hammer, without a point on, and hammered the rod in in about two minutes. It was nice. OF course I had to start this from a ladder but it sure beat drilling.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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I can't pound a nail in straight. Rob, how do you keep the rod from bending? Is a Demo hammer the same as a "jack" hammer? Smaller, I'm thinking...
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
Speaking of ground rods...... when I installed mine I got a heavy demo hammer, without a point on, and hammered the rod in in about two minutes.
Peace and long life
Peace and long life
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Similar. About a 30 lb machine. There is a socket for the hammer point..... I set the top end of the rod in that and was shocked at how fast it went into the ground... and I don't have soil. The rod was, as I recall, about 5/8" or 3/4" diameter copper. It wiggled a bit but went down fast.
Drilling is another matter. A deep narrow hole which has debris fall into it when you extract the drill so some driving of the rod is necessary anyway.
I already had the demo hammer so there was nothing lost in trying it out.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Thanks, for the added info.
Peace and long life
Peace and long life
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You may not have soil but you've got something more forgiving than I've got. I just can't see that working at my place. I tried with a 5 lb sledge. It goes for a foot or so but always winds up against some immovable object.
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Hey, I may have just been lucky. But it is true that a ground can be installed in a foundation....it needs to be inspected prior to pour.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Goggle' home earthquake retrofit' you can track down what you want from there. There is a FEMA book I think this is part of it
http://www.bayarearetrofit.com/PDFs/design_book.pdf
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And a ground in rock or foundation may pass inspection, but it's just show it's not doing a dam thing
