New Mexico Administrative Code › Title 14 - HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION › Chapter 7 - BUILDING CODES GENERAL › Part 4 - 2021 NEW MEXICO EARTHEN BUILDING MATERIALS CODE › Section 14.7.4.16 - ATTACHMENTS AND CONNECTIONS

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 13, July 16, 2024
A.
General.
Attachment and connection methods of alternate wall
				construction to rammed earth walls are described as follows. The building
				official may approve other attachment and connection methods. In no case shall
				two wall types be butted to each other without consideration for attachment or
				connection.
B.
Attachment of
				a rammed earth wall to a rammed earth wall.
A keyway, at least six
				inches wide by three inches deep shall be formed vertically at the center of
				the wall section from stem top to underside of bond beam. The connecting wall
				shall be rammed into the keyway. (Refer to Figure 3 of the earthen building
				figures supplement).
C.
Attachment of a load-bearing adobe wall to a rammed earth wall.
Where adobe is deployed as an interior wall that will be incorporated into the
				rammed earth wall for lateral support, the adobe shall measure a minimum of 10
				inches in thickness. Steel ladder reinforcement shall be rammed into the wall
				at the intersection with the adobe wall. The reinforcement may be bent against
				the forms during the ramming process. After ramming is complete and forms
				removed, the reinforcement shall be incorporated into the adjoining adobe
				coursing, every four courses minimum. (Refer to Figure 12 of the earthen
				building figures supplement). As an alternative, a keyway, not to exceed the
				depth of the adobe wall, nor one-third the depth of the rammed earth wall,
				shall be formed into the rammed earth wall. The adobe shall be incorporated
				into the keyway. (Refer to Figure 13 of the earthen building figures
				supplement).
D.
Attachment of
				a loadbearing wood or steel frame wall to a rammed earth wall.
A
				half-inch minimum diameter anchor bolt with four inch hook, set in a linear
				vertical pattern, a maximum of 24 inches on-center. The anchor bolt shall be
				embedded at least two inches into the earth wall with the threaded end
				protruding sufficiently to pass through and attach the adjoining vertical wall
				stud. The washer and nut shall be tightened just prior to sheathing the frame
				wall. As an alternative, 18 gauge by two inch minimum galvanized strap tie,
				grouted into the concrete bond beam (or secured to the wood bond beam or wood
				top plate), securely nailed to the top plate of the frame wall. The remainder
				of the vertical stud shall be attached to the rammed earth wall with 30D nails
				or screws embedded a minimum of three inches into the adjacent wall at eight
				inches on center vertically. (Refer to Figure 14 of the earthen building
				figures supplement).
E.
Attachment of a door or window unit to a rammed earth wall.
The
				unit shall be attached to nailers within the opening or nailed or screwed
				directly into the rammed earth wall. The nail or screw shall penetrate at least
				three inches into the rammed earth wall. Heavier units may utilize stronger
				attachments, such as anchor bolts, T-bolts, steel pins, etc., embedded into the
				rammed earth wall.
F.
Attachment of foam or rigid insulation to a rammed earth wall.
Insulating boards or foams not exceeding two inches in thickness may be adhered
				to the exterior of the rammed earth wall. When insulation board is used,
				round-cap nails, capped concrete nails or capped screws shall attach it to the
				rammed earth wall . Cap nails or screws shall have a maximum spacing of 16
				inches from each other. Additionally, cap nails or screws shall secure the
				insulation boards around their perimeter edges with nails or screws spaced no
				less than two inches apart. All cap nails or screws shall penetrate a minimum
				of two inches into the rammed earth wall. All insulation fasteners shall be
				corrosion resistant. Insulating boards or foams shall not be used to form
				architectural shapes exceeding two inches in thickness.
G.
Attachment of cabinetry to a rammed
				earth wall.
Deck screws shall penetrate a minimum of three inches
				through cabinetry and into a nailer, eight inches on center maximum, or; deck
				screws with a least three inch minimum penetration through cabinetry and into
				the rammed earth wall. Screws shall be placed horizontally, eight inches on
				center maximum, on the top and bottom of cabinetry. As an alternative,
				all-thread rods or other attachment devices, suitable for attachment of
				cabinetry through the rammed earth wall.
H.
Attachment of concrete bond beam to
				a rammed earth wall.
Number four reinforcing bar shall be driven into
				the uncured wall top. The reinforcing bar shall be set at a maximum 20 degree
				angle along both edges of the wall, staggered no more than 24 inches on-center
				and no closer than four inches from the exterior faces of the wall. The
				reinforcing bar shall extend a minimum of two inches into the rammed earth wall
				and four inches into the concrete bond beam. (Refer to Figure 16 of the earthen
				building figures supplement).
I.
Attachment of wood bond beam to a rammed earth wall.
One-half inch
				anchor bolts with four inch base hooks shall be rammed into the wall. The bolts
				shall be staggered a maximum of 48 inches on-center along both edges of the
				wall, staggered no closer than six inches from the exterior faces of the wall.
				The bolt shall extend a minimum of 18 inches into the rammed earth
				wall.