Last issue, F&R provided readers with an overview of how the code changes impacted the areas of steel, concrete, masonry, and many other building materials and project types.

This month, we will look at the code changes that impact soils, foundations, sprayed fire-resistant materials, seismic issues, wind exposure, and geotechnical engineering.

Soils – Section 1704.7 lists the special inspections for site soils and includes several changes from the last code cycle. One of the more important changes is the fact that the new verbiage requires that the “approved geotechnical report” and the “construction documents” prepared by the registered design professionals shall be used to determine compliance with the code.

Tables 1704.7, 1704.8, and 1704.9 includes minimum (but important) changes from the last code cycle and should be reviewed. The changes in the verbiage of these three tables clarify previous code language related to special inspections of soils and deep foundations and are more consistent with other code criteria.

Foundations – Section 1704.10 addresses helical pile foundations and requires continuous special inspections during the installation of the foundation systems.

Section 1802 if IBC 2009 is new and includes numerous definitions related to shallow and deep foundations.

Section 1810 addresses deep foundations and the requirements have been reorganized in order to eliminate repetition, resolve conflicting definitions, and generalize and simplify requirements wherever possible. Some of the changes are substantive and should be reviewed carefully.

Sections 1810.3.1.5 addresses helical pile foundations. Helical piles were not specifically covered in previous editions of the code and are becoming more common in foundation construction.

Section 1810.3.5.2.3 addresses micropiles briefly and sets forth minimum diameter sizes as well as other installation criteria. This micropile verbiage is new to IBC 2009 and was not addressed in the old code cycle (IBC 2006).

Sprayed Fire-Resistant Materials – Section 1704.12 addresses sprayed fire-resistant materials (SFRM) and includes changes from the last code cycle that are too numerous to be listed in this article. Section 1704.12.1 reflects new verbiage that sets forth physical and visual tests and focuses on the condition of substrates prior to the application of the SFRM. There is also new verbiage related to minimum allowable thicknesses as well as encapsulant bond tests.

Seismic Issues – Section 1705 presents a statement of special inspections related to sections 1704, 1705, and 1708 and addresses special inspections as they relate to seismic resistance, seismic force-resisting systems, and seismic design categories. This section also addresses numerous building systems as well as which seismic design category is applicable to these systems.

Section 1707 addresses special inspections for seismic resistance. This narrative has been largely reworked since the last code cycle and addresses special inspections for seismic resistance related to structural steel, structural wood, cold-formed steel light frame construction, storage racks, and architectural components.

Section 1708 is about structural testing for seismic resistance. This entire section of the new edition of the code has been modified and addresses the testing and qualification of seismic resistance as set forth in section 1708.2 through 1708.5.

Wind Exposure – Section 1706 is new in IBC 2009. The primary purpose of this section is to address when special inspections are required based on wind exposure categories. This section also addresses structural wood systems and cold-formed steel light frame construction.

Geotechnical Engineering – Section 1803 through 1804 of IBC 2009 includes new verbiage regarding geotechnical investigations, excavations, grading, and fill. The narrative has been reorganized and clarified. The appropriate term “geotechnical” is now consistently used as it relates to geotechnical investigations and geotechnical reports. Section 1803 includes sections that set forth items that could be included in geotechnical reports as well as criteria that should be incorporated into the report addressing compacted fill material.

Want More Information About the IBC 2009 Code Changes? We've Got A Lunch & Learn for That!

If you would like to learn more about the IBC 2009 code changes, and ask questions of our resident expert on the subject, let us stage one of our Mobile Classroom programs for you!

The purpose of this free AIA-approved presentation is to familiarize design professionals, building officials, plan examiners, special inspectors, contractors, construction managers, and others in the design and construction industry with information about some of the most important code changes contained in IBC 2009.

This, and all of our free Mobile Classroom programs, are available to groups of all sizes, include reference material handouts, and can be provided at a site of your choosing.

Get more information about the IBC 2009 Code Changes seminar.

F&R Assists in Cave Springs Renovation

The Roanoke County Schools (RCS) needs to replace Cave Springs Middle School. The project will consist of demolition and removal of the majority of the existing school, the replacing it with renovations and approximately 103,000sf of new construction. the 18-month project will include shallow foundation, concrete slabs, concrete and masonry walls, and structural steel framing.

F&R is proud to have been chosen by RCS to provide broad-based construction materials testing on this important project. Specifically, our services are focused on the areas of:

• Soils/Controlled Fill: Observing proof rolling operations of the building, parking, and roadway subgrades prior to and following the placement of structural fill and/or base stone.

• Foundation Subgrades: Evaluating the bearing at the bottom of foottng excavations prior to the placement of foundation concrete.

• Cast‐in‐Place Concrete: Sampling structural concrete and performing field tests that include temperature, slump, air content, plastic unit weight, and the casting of 4” x 8” compressive strength test specimens. Prior to concrete placements for footings and slabs, we inspected the reinforcing steel (rebar) and anchors for compliance with the contract documents.

• Masonry: Inspecting and testing masonry materials prior to and during the masonry phase of construction.

• Structural Steel and Light Gage Metal Framing: Performing field inspection and testing services related to structural steel, welding, bolted connections, and steel joists by an American Welding Society certified welding inspector (CWI).