Sunken Floor Joist at Foundation

[jtcapa]

Okay, Here is a fairly common detail where a concrete porch is near level with the main floor and the concrete stem wall is poured up high, while the floor joists are sunken down by notching a portion of the top of the foundation wall as shown. BUT (always one of those) correct me if I'm wrong, Chief Architect does not have any tool or feature to do this automatically? So showing it correctly in plan or sections involves a fair amount of "work-arounds"?

[David J. Potter]

I suppose you mean by "automatically", in 3-D and if that is what you mean then yes, there is no way I know of to automatically do this by way of settings or dialog boxes.
I do not agree that it is a work-round, but rather just work, whether with pencil and paper or with 2-D CAD tools, drawing is drawing. Chief can be set to reduce the amount of drawing but not eliminate it all together.

DJP

[ebdesign]

You can do that w/ pony walls, if you gotta have it.

[perryh]

I have never seen it done that way. I would just do a typical raised floor and just pour the conc. porch up against the floor joists, with some metal flashing between the two floor systems. Here in California we do it cheap.

[dshall]

I have never seen it done that way. I would just do a typical raised floor and just pour the conc. porch up against the floor joists, with some metal flashing between the two floor systems. Here in California we do it cheap.

I'm with you on this P. I was going to comment, but I don't know what they do where money is not object. You are right, here in CA if you want to replace your bedroom door the cost begins at $35,000, but that does come with the hinges and the door knob.

[Jay M]

Sometimes a ledge like this is used around here because of building height requirements. With a 11 7/8" floor system it is possible to lower the house by almost 12"

[lbuttery]

see this thread:

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....ghlight=ledger

I suggested that there be a setting to allow for this
since Chief can already handle via a set of manual steps

Lew

[dshall]

Sometimes a ledge like this is used around here because of building height requirements. With a 11 7/8" floor system it is possible to lower the house by almost 12"

I think I just figured it out. Do a vid tomorrow.

[dshall]

see this thread:

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....ghlight=ledger

I suggested that there be a setting to allow for this
since Chief can already handle via a set of manual steps

Lew

Oh, crazy me, Lew already found a solution, no need for a vid.

[perryh]

By looking at the drawing JT has shown, why not just lower the stem wall, it really only needs to be 8" above the grade by code thus doing the same thing, lowering the floor height

[Gene Davis]

Didn't watch the vid yet but think the O.P. only wants this at part of the perimeter. Common in our area to do this at main entry, to minimize step-up into house.

[perryh]

Ok, so why not just pour the porch 1" down from the house level. wouldn't that be simpler?

[jtcapa]

I'd like to see a vid on how to do a raised stem wall with a sunken floor.
All my contractors weighed in, and the "architect" detail I posted is just that. An Architectural fantasy. Not very smart, or buildable.
The metal flashing system is substandard, as it will eventually rust out. In the NW we like to do it cheaply by simple using a PT rim joists and Neverstral flashing, but again not the best.
The most common way contractors will build it is simply sinking the floor and raising the stemwall. Use a wider than normal sill plate and hang the joists off the sill. Most builders will even use a 7 1/4" pt sill set flush to the inside, wrap neverstal flashing over the rim and behind the hangers, allowing contact with the concrete.

So how easy is it to do a Chief Sunken floor? Can we do it automatically with settings or do I have to drag up all the stem walls?

[perryh]

Jt , sorry to tell you but 28 ga. galvanized flashing has been used for 50 years around here. it works pretty good.

[lbuttery]

JT:

see the thread I posted and the vid CA has showing how to create the ledger etc

Lew