Footings, Foundations and Masonry Walls., Chapter 13. Building Code, Municipal Code, Code of Ordinances, West Allis

Footings and Foundations.

(a)

Depth and Material. Footings and foundations, unless specifically provided, shall be constructed of masonry or reinforced concrete and shall, in all cases, extend below the frost line. Frame garages or accessory buildings shall be the only buildings permitted without footings below the frost line. Frost line shall be considered not less than three (3) feet, six (6) inches below the grade. Masonry units used in foundation walls shall be laid up in Portland cement mortar. Footings shall be of solid monolithic masonry.

(b)

Soil-Bearing Capacity. Where the bearing capacity of the soil is not definitely known or is in question, the Building Inspector may require load tests or other adequate proof as to the permissible safe bearing capacity of that particular location. To determine the safe bearing capacity of soil, it shall be tested by loading an area not less than two (2) square feet to not less than twice the maximum bearing capacity desired for use. Such double load shall be sustained by the soil until no additional settlement takes place for a period of not less than forty-eight (48) hours in order that such desired bearing capacity may be used. Examination of subsoil condition may be required when deemed necessary.

(c)

Piling. Foundations shall be built upon natural solid ground where possible. Loam or soil containing organic matter shall not be used to support buildings exceeding one story in height. Where solid natural ground does not occur at the foundation depth, such foundations shall be extended down to natural solid ground or piles shall be used, unless there is a practically level fill of good ground which has been in place a sufficient length of time to settle properly when such fill may be used.

(d)

Thickness. Footings under buildings not more than two (2) stories high shall be at least six (6) inches thick and twenty-two (22) inches wide, made of concrete designed to test not less than two thousand (2,000) pounds per square inch, of clean, well graded material. If the entire footing is not poured at one time, there shall be at least four (4), one-half (1/2) inch rods, three (3) feet long, joining one day's pour with the next. These rods shall be placed eighteen (18) inches in the footing at the joint while the concrete is still soft. No basement pier or column footing shall be smaller than eighteen (18) inches by eighteen (18) inches by six (6) inches in thickness. The projection of footings beyond the column, pier or wall face shall not exceed the depth of such footing and the width of any footing shall be such that the load or pressure on the soil will be within safe limits, as specified under the State Building Code requirements.

Every footing shall set at least twenty-four (24) hours before the foundation wall or wall forms shall be built on it.

(e)

Trenching Near Foundation. No trench for sewer or other excavation shall be made below any foundation wall nearer than three (3) feet to any corner of said foundation. No trench for sewer or other excavation shall be made nearer to any column or pier footing than one and one-half (1-1/2) times the depth of the excavation below the bottom of the footing.

(f)

Back Forms Required. No concrete footings, columns or walls shall be poured against the ground or earth without suitable back forms of wood or metal, unless the soil is self-supporting in clean-cut planes and the Building Inspector will grant special permission.

(g)

Floor Insulation. Any building or part of a building that is not provided with a basement shall have the flooring of the first story of such building or part of building so insulated that its temperature and moisture resisting properties shall be equal to the temperature and moisture resisting properties of the enclosing and interior walls of such building or part of building.

(h)

Exterior Basement Walls.

One and Two (2) Story Frame Buildings. One and two (2) story frame buildings shall have the exterior foundation walls of masonry from the top of footing to the joists or sills, which walls shall be of the following thicknesses:

	Frame, wood siding	10 in.
	Brick veneer and wood	12 in.
	Stucco and wood	10 in.

Every foundation shall be at least as thick as the wall above it. No wall between crosswalls, off-sets or pilasters shall be longer than fifty (50) times its thickness. Plasters shall be no less than sixteen (16) inches wide and the thickness shall be at least one and one-third (1-1/3) times the thickness of the wall of which it is a part.

One Story Solid Brick Residences. The exterior basement wall shall be not less than twelve (12) inches thick from footing to grade, except when made of a concrete mix designed to sustain two thousand (2,000) pounds per square inch, or better, such wall shall not be less than ten (10) inches thick from footing to grade. From grade up, it may be an eight (8) inch brick wall with headers every sixth course. Every foundation shall be at least as thick as the wall above it. No wall shall be longer than fifty (50) times its thickness between crosswalls, offsets or pilasters. Pilasters shall be no less than sixteen (16) inches wide and the thickness shall be at least one and one-third (1-1/3) times the thickness of the wall of which it is a part.

Two Story Brick Residences. The exterior basement wall shall not be less than twelve (12) inches thick from footing to joist. Every foundation shall be at least as thick as the wall above it. No wall shall be longer than fifty (50) times its thickness between crosswalls, offsets or pilasters. No pilaster shall be less than sixteen (16) inches wide and the thickness shall be at least one and one-third (1-1/3) times the thickness of the wall of which it is a part.

Brick Veneer Buildings. Foundations for brick veneer buildings where the brick is supported on the same foundation that the floor joists and studs are supported and where the brick veneer goes down to the grade and the foundation for the joists and studs extends above grade, the foundation wall above grade shall be at least eight (8) inches thick, whether made of masonry or concrete. Every foundation shall be at least as thick as the wall above it. No wall shall be longer than fifty (50) times its thickness between crosswalls, offsets or pilasters. No pilaster shall be less than sixteen (16) inches wide and the thickness shall be at least one and one-third (1-1/3) times the thickness of the wall of which it is a part.

All Other Buildings. The exterior basement walls shall be not less than twelve (12) inches thick to grade, except that buildings where an eight (8) inch masonry wall is to be supported by said foundation, it may be a ten (10) inch wall of concrete designed to sustain a crushing strength of two thousand (2,000) pounds per square inch or better. Every foundation wall shall be at least as thick as the wall above it. No wall shall be longer than fifty (50) times its thickness between crosswalls, offsets or pilasters. No pilasters shall be less than sixteen (16) inches wide and the thickness shall be at least one and one-third (1-1/3) times the thickness of the wall of which it is a part.

Excessive Stresses. When pressures due to earth pressure and superimposed building load exceed the maximum working stress permitted in the Wisconsin State Building Code for the materials used and the additional stresses are not otherwise provided for, the wall thickness shall be increased or the form of the wall adjusted to bring the stress within the required limits.

Exterior Basement Walls of Built up Masonry. Exterior basement walls of built up masonry shall be entirely back plastered below grade, on the outside, with Portland cement mortar having a minimum thickness of one-half (1/2) inch.