Our homes are so similar, and we are both building at the same time as owner-builders. Mine is three levels. When I used the Watkins Hangers, nobody had seen them before-- not the engineer, the architect, not even the inspector. He was confused at first. I love how they make the outer walls continuous as opposed to platform framing. There are now a lot fewer links in the chain holding your house down to the footer. That means I just breezed through hurricane Milton without so much as a shake or a shudder. I recommend you wet-set your anchors/ straps in the top of the wall, skipping the top plate completely. The top plate is just one more link in the chain. My Simpson hurricane straps are 30" long, and they hold down my raised-heel trusses very well. If you do room-in-attic trusses, you could have windows on the next level with even better views. That's what I did. I can see for miles and miles.
That is amazing that Milton didn't even phase your home :) What a blessing. And just goes to show that the extra time and expense is worth it. Good idea on the wet set. I will be sure to remember that when I get to my top layer :)
I like the consolidation. You only need a six-inch slump. If you use a lower slump you'll get stronger concrete. If you use larger aggregate, you'll get stronger concrete. You'll have to vibrate well. My consolidation looks about like yours, but it sets up fast when you do a 5" slump, plus plasticizer to get the six-inch slump. You should cap those rebar dowels with something so nobody gets hurt.
You are correct that the lower slump does get stronger concrete. My design gets a 4,000 PSI and that is with normal forms. As you know the ICF forms keep more moisture in which delays the curing process and that creates a stronger concrete. So while I haven't paid to have it tested I am confident that it is stronger than 4,000 psi. Would it be stronger with larger aggregate and a lower slump, yes. But it is stronger than 4,000 psi which is what I need :) And the benefits for me of pouring at an 8 slump and not stressing about voids with all the rebar make it worth it for me.
Our homes are so similar, and we are both building at the same time as owner-builders. Mine is three levels. When I used the Watkins Hangers, nobody had seen them before-- not the engineer, the architect, not even the inspector. He was confused at first. I love how they make the outer walls continuous as opposed to platform framing. There are now a lot fewer links in the chain holding your house down to the footer. That means I just breezed through hurricane Milton without so much as a shake or a shudder. I recommend you wet-set your anchors/ straps in the top of the wall, skipping the top plate completely. The top plate is just one more link in the chain. My Simpson hurricane straps are 30" long, and they hold down my raised-heel trusses very well. If you do room-in-attic trusses, you could have windows on the next level with even better views. That's what I did. I can see for miles and miles.
That is amazing that Milton didn't even phase your home :) What a blessing. And just goes to show that the extra time and expense is worth it. Good idea on the wet set. I will be sure to remember that when I get to my top layer :)
I like the consolidation. You only need a six-inch slump. If you use a lower slump you'll get stronger concrete. If you use larger aggregate, you'll get stronger concrete. You'll have to vibrate well. My consolidation looks about like yours, but it sets up fast when you do a 5" slump, plus plasticizer to get the six-inch slump. You should cap those rebar dowels with something so nobody gets hurt.
You are correct that the lower slump does get stronger concrete. My design gets a 4,000 PSI and that is with normal forms. As you know the ICF forms keep more moisture in which delays the curing process and that creates a stronger concrete. So while I haven't paid to have it tested I am confident that it is stronger than 4,000 psi. Would it be stronger with larger aggregate and a lower slump, yes. But it is stronger than 4,000 psi which is what I need :) And the benefits for me of pouring at an 8 slump and not stressing about voids with all the rebar make it worth it for me.
I had to put another layer of subfloor over my subfloor after it had been exposed to the rain for so long. The edges of the sheets were swelling up.
Good to know that it works :) I plan on putting mass loaded vinyl in-between the 2 pieces of OSB. Did you put anything in-between them?