A contractor is building a basement foundation wall that is 8 feet high and will retain 6 feet of soil. What is the minimum wall thickness required by the Michigan Building Code for poured concrete?
Correct Answer
A) 8 inches
For basement walls retaining 6 feet of soil, the Michigan Building Code requires a minimum thickness of 8 inches for poured concrete walls.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
According to the Michigan Building Code, basement foundation walls retaining 6 feet of soil require a minimum thickness of 8 inches for poured concrete. This thickness provides adequate structural strength to resist lateral soil pressure and hydrostatic forces. The 8-inch minimum is specifically established for residential basement walls with typical soil retention heights up to 6 feet, balancing structural requirements with cost-effectiveness.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 10 inches
10 inches exceeds the minimum requirement for 6 feet of soil retention. While this thickness would provide additional strength, the Michigan Building Code only requires 8 inches for this application. Using 10 inches would be unnecessarily thick and costly for the specified conditions.
Option C: 6 inches
6 inches is insufficient for basement walls retaining 6 feet of soil. This thickness cannot adequately resist the lateral soil pressure and potential hydrostatic forces. The Michigan Building Code requires greater thickness to ensure structural integrity and prevent wall failure or excessive deflection.
Option D: 12 inches
12 inches is significantly thicker than required for 6 feet of soil retention. While structurally sound, this thickness is specified for much higher retention walls or special conditions. Using 12 inches would be over-engineered and unnecessarily expensive for typical residential basement applications.
Memory Technique
Remember '6 and 8': 6 feet of soil retention requires 8 inches of concrete thickness - the numbers are close and easy to pair together.
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