I'm hoping that some of the ICF professionals on this site can provide some insight on this. I had planned to have various wall heights in my ICF home design where ceiling heights will vary with flat-roof, engineered trusses bearing on associated 2x top plates. I've been reviewing the requirements in the 2009 IRC , Section R611.7.2.1 regarding minimum lengths of solid wall segments, and Section R611.7.2.3 regarding solid wall segments at corners. With respect to my planned design and the applicability of these sections, can the wall height along straight wall sections be stepped? Can the wall height adjacent to a corner be stepped?
The stepped wall heights I propose seem analagous to a stepped footing, for example. I'm not sure I understand how the above referenced IRC sections apply. The different wall heights are related to standard full block heights, with walls varying as 9', 10'6", and 13'6" in different locations. I'm aware of the 10' limitation of the prescriptive approach in the IRC, and plan to get engineering review, but want to work out issues up front if possible.
I've attached a snapshot of a solid model of the ICF wall layout (6 in. Nudura form). ICF walls are used for the first story, with a single wood-framed 2nd story room over one portion. Can anyone comment on the efficacy of this layout? Let me know if more information is needed. I also included a view of the house exterior to help visualize the layout. If the manner in which the steps layout aren't feasible, I'm considering framing knee walls on top of the ICF to achieve the desired wall heights, and this would also seem to deal with the 10' prescriptive wall height limitation.
Thanks a bunch for any feedback you can provide. |