R404.1.5.2

Section R404.1.5.2 is titled 'Concrete wall thickness' and covers requirements for foundation construction. The minimum thickness a concrete foundation wall shall be, the minimum thickness of a concrete wall which is reduced in thickness to provide a shelf for support of masonry veneer, and vertical reinforcement application based on wall thickness is established. The purpose of this section is to prevent structural failure. This section has an exception which allows for the application of vertical reinforcement to ignore the thickness reduction at a masonry veneer shelf, where the reduced portion does not exceed certain dimensions. The purpose of this exception is to clarify that vertical reinforcement based on full wall thickness is adequate for structural support of the wall, where shelves do not exceed certain dimensions.

The model shows a section of a concrete foundation which includes a shelf to support masonry veneer, yet is thick enough above the shelf to fully support the frame wall.