APPENDIX B

FLOOD-RESISTANT FOUNDATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL

BUILDINGS WITH WOOD OR LIGHT-STEEL FRAMED WALLS
[The information contained in this appendix is not part of this American National Standard (ANSI) and has not been processed in
accordance with ANSIs requirements for an ANS. As such, this appendix may contain material that has not been subjected to pub-
lic review or a consensus process. In addition, it does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to this standard.]

B1 General. buildings must be assembled from rectangular elements

B1.1 Scope. Placing a residential building in a Coastal High
Hazard Area (V Zone), Coastal A Zone or a Noncoastal A Zone
landward of a Coastal A Zone is permitted on and anchored to a
flood-resistant foundation that is designed and constructed in
accordance with FEMA 550 Recommended Residential Con-
struction for the Gulf Coast if the following conditions are met:
1. The building complies with ICC 600 Standard for Res-
idential Construction in High-Wind Regions.
2. The building is one or two stories, constructed with
wood or light-steel framed walls and floors. Building
weights and loads are within the ranges specified in
Appendix C of FEMA 550.
3. The building is constructed with rectangular elements
and each element satisfies the dimensional limits
depicted in Figure B1 of this standard. Nonrectangular
per Section 105 of ICC 600 Standard for Residential
Construction in High-Wind Regions.
4. The building has shearwalls per Tables 3.17A and 3.17B
or Tables A3.17A and A3.17B and Tables 3.17D and
3.17E of ANSI/AF&PA WFCM-2001 Wood Framed
Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwell-
ings. Buildings constructed with cold-formed steel
framed walls shall be permitted to have shearwall
lengths specified by Section E13.2 of AISI S230-07,
Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing Prescriptive
Method for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, if the
shearwall lengths are not less than those specified by
Tables 3.17A and 3.17B or Tables A3.17A and A3.17B
and Tables 3.17D and 3.17E of ANSI/AF&PA
WFCM-2001.

Rectangular Element Dimensions

Roof pitch 3:12 (min) to 12:12 (max)

Eave overhang 2 feet (max)
1 story wall height 10 feet (max)
2 story wall height 20 feet (max)
Eave to ridge height 23 feet Max)
Endwall length 24 feet (min.) to 42 feet (max)
Sidewall length 28 feet (min)
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
FIGURE B1
RANGE OF RECTANGULAR ELEMENT DIMENSIONS AND ROOF PITCHES

STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008 149

APPENDIX B
5. Where open style foundations per FEMA 550 Design
Cases B, C, D or G are used, sheathing type adjustments
per WFCM Section 3.4.4.2.1 and Table 3.17D are per-
mitted only where the tabulated adjustment factor is
greater than 1, resulting in greater shearwall lengths.
Exception: Use of tabulated adjustment factors less
than 1 is permitted where girders and girder connec-
tions to open foundations are designed to applicable
requirements of the International Building Code.
6. Open style foundations using concrete columns and
grade beams per FEMA 550 Design Cases B, C, D and G
are constructed with primary, secondary and center floor
girders and connections in accordance with Section B2
of this standard or designed to applicable requirements
of the International Building Code.
7. Girder and girder connections for open style braced tim-
ber pile foundations (FEMA 550 Case A) shall be
designed as required by Section 305.4.
8. Design roof snow load is 20 psf (98 kg/m 2) or less
B1.2 Flood hazards areas. Flood hazard areas shall be estab-
lished by International Residential Code Table R301.2(1).
B.2 Building/foundation interface. Where required by Sec-
tion C1.1, Item 6, floor girders and connections attaching the
elevated residential building to the flood-resistant foundation
shall be in accordance with Section B.2 of this standard.
B.2.1. Girders shall be considered primary, secondary or
center based on the supported loads. Girders for a rectangu-
lar building element with conventional floor and roof fram-
ing are shown in Figure B2.
PERPENDICULAR TO
RIDGE SHEAR PANELS
SEE WFCM TABLE 3.17A
bles
See Ta 3(2)
B
B3(1) &
S
SHEAR PANEL SEE PAN
TIE DOWN B2(1 TABLES
)&B
2(2)
B4
CENTER GIRDER
(TYP)
SECONDARY GIRDER
(TYP) FLOOR JOIST
ORIENTATION
FIGURE B2
GIRDER IDENTIFICATION
150 STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008
B2.2. Girders shall be selected as follows.
Primary girder - Girders supporting any floor or roof
framing perpendicular to the axis of the girder and resist-
ing reactions from shearwall segments shall be designed
as a primary girder. The maximum allowable primary
girder spans for one-story homes are specified in Table
B1(1); maximum primary girders spans for two-story
homes are specified in Table B1(2).
Secondary girder - Girders supporting no floor or roof
framing oriented perpendicular to the axis of the girder
and resisting reactions from shearwall segments may be
designed as a secondary girder. Maximum spans for sec-
ondary girders for one-story homes shall be as specified
in Table B2(1); secondary girders for two-story homes
shall be as specified in Table B2(1).
Center girder - Girders supporting only floor framing
oriented perpendicular to the axis of the girder and not
supporting any roof loads or resisting any reactions from
shearwall segments may be designed as a center girder.
Center girders for one-story homes shall be as specified
in Table B3(1); center girders for two-story homes shall
be as specified in Table B3(2).
B.2.3 Girder spans. Primary girder spans may not exceed
spans specified in Table B1(1) for single-story homes and
B1(2) for two-story homes. Secondary girders spans shall
not exceed spans specified in Table B2(1) for single-story
homes and B2(2) for two-story homes. Center girder spans
may not exceed spans specified in Table B3(1) for sin-
gle-story homes and B3(2) for two-story homes.
ROOF FRAMING
ORIENTATION
PARALLEL TO
RIDGE SHEAR
PANELS
SEE WFCM
TABLE 3.17B
CONCRETE
COLUMN
SEE
FEMA 550
B3 SPAN ES
TABL
SEE & B1(2)
)
B1(1
PRIMARY GIRDER
(TYP)
 APPENDIX B

TABLE B1(1)
PRIMARY GIRDER SPANS FOR ONE-STORY HOMES
(beam supporting gravity loads and shear reactions from wind loads parallel to ridge)b,c,d,e,f,g,h
MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN
(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
LENGTH OF SHEAR WALLS 2 3 4

1.0 times WFCM 91 11 3 131

1.5 times WFCM 98 1110 139
2.0 times WFCM 100 122 14a
3.0 times WFCM 104 126 14a
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Exceeds the 14 foot column spacing limit of the FEMA 550 foundation designs.
b. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
c. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased if the girder clear span does not exceed
the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
d. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with structural glued laminated softwood timbers with unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending stress
Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the gird-
ers are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS, National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
e. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
f. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
g. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor, CM, of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above
19 percent.
h. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

TABLE B1(2)
PRIMARY GIRDER SPANS FOR TWO-STORY HOMES
(beam supporting gravity loads and shear reactions from wind loads parallel to ridge)
MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN
(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
LENGTH OF SHEAR WALLS 2 3 4

1.0 times WFCM 78 96 111

1.5 times WFCM 83 102 119
2.0 times WFCM 87 106 121
3.0 times WFCM 811 1010 125
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
b. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased provided the girder clear span does not
exceed the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
c. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with Structural Glued Laminated Softwood Timbers with an unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending
stress Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the
girders are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
d. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
e. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
f. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor CM of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above
19 percent.
g. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008 151

APPENDIX B

TABLE B2(1)
SECONDARY GIRDER SPANS FOR ONE-STORY HOMESb,c,d,e,f,g,h
(beam supporting end wall and shear reactions from wind loads parallel to ridge)
MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN
(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
LENGTH OF SHEAR WALLS 2 3

1.0 times WFCM 121 14a

1.5 times WFCM 133 14a
2.0 times WFCM 140 14a
3.0 times WFCM 14a 14a
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Exceeds the 14 foot column spacing limit of the FEMA 550 foundation designs.
b. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
c. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased provided the girder clear span does not
exceed the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
d. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with Structural Glued Laminated Softwood Timbers with an unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending
stress Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the
girders are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
e. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
f. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
g. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor CM of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above 19
percent.
h. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

TABLE B2(2)
SECONDARY GIRDER SPANS FOR TWO-STORY HOMESb,c,d,e,f,g,h
(beam supporting end wall and shear reactions from wind loads parallel to ridge)

MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN

(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
LENGTH OF SHEAR WALLS 2 3 4

1.0 times WFCM 89 114 137

1.5 times WFCM 101 1211 14a
2.0 times WFCM 110 139 14a
3.0 times WFCM 1111 14a 14a
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Exceeds the 14 foot column spacing limit of the FEMA 550 foundation designs.
b. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
c. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased provided the girder clear span does not
exceed the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
d. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with Structural Glued Laminated Softwood Timbers with an unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending
stress Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the
girders are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
e. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
f. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
g. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor CM of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above
19 percent.
h. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

152 STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008

 APPENDIX B

TABLE B3(1)
CENTER GIRDER SPANS FOR TWO-STORY HOMESb,c,d,e,f,g,h
(beam supporting gravity loads from floor and interior walls only and no shear reactions)
MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN
(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
1 2 3

93 127 14a
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Exceeds the 14 foot column spacing limit of the FEMA 550 foundation designs.
b. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
c. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased provided the girder clear span does not
exceed the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
d. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with Structural Glued Laminated Softwood Timbers with an unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending
stress Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the
girders are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
e. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
f. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
g. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor CM of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above
19 percent.
h. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

TABLE B3(2)
CENTER GIRDER SPANS FOR TWO-STORY HOMESa,b,c,d,e,f,g
(beam supporting gravity loads from floor and interior walls only and no shear reactions)
MAXIMUM GIRDER SPAN
(ctr to ctr column spacing in ft-in.)
Number of Members
13/4 by 117/8 structural glued laminated timber 28F-2.1E
1 2 3 4

714 97 116 131

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 47.88 Pa, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per lineal foot = 14.59 N/m.
a. Girder spans are based on simply supported girders exposed to uniform gravity loads and point loads from shear panel reactions.
b. Girder spans are based on girder clear spans using 16 inch square columns. Spacings for larger columns can be increased provided the girder clear span does not
exceed the tabulated span minus 16 inches.
c. Girder spans are based on girders constructed with Structural Glued Laminated Softwood Timbers with an unfactored reference design values of: fiber bending
stress Fbx 2,800 psi, shear parallel to grain Fvx 300 psi, and Modulus of Elasticity Ex 2.1*106 psi (designated 28F-2.1E). Design values for members making up the
girders are listed in Table 5A of the 2005 NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction (ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005).
d. Girder spans are based on laminated timbers manufactured in a balanced layup (F bx- = Fbx+).
e. Members making up the girders shall be field assembled and fastened as directed by manufacturers literature. Where no literature is available, members may be
fastened by two rows of 1/2 inch through bolts located 24 inches on centers.
f. Load duration factors (CD) are as specified in ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005. The load duration factor for live load equals 1.0; for wind loads, the load duration factor
equals1.6. And the load duration factor for dead loads equals 0.9. A wet service adjustment factor CM of 0.8 was applied to Fb to address moisture content above
19 percent.
g. Girder spans are based on shear panel reactions resulting from 10 foot tall shear panels loaded at 436 pounds/linear foot. The prescriptive girder designs shall not
be used for homes constructed with shear panels exposed to higher shear loads.

STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008 153

APPENDIX B
B.2.4 Horizontal shearwall connections. Horizontal shear
connections between horizontal diaphragms and vertical
shearwalls shall comply with Chapter 3 of ICC 600 Stan-
dard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions.
B.2.5 Vertical shearwall connections. Connections
between shearwall hold-downs and primary floor girders
shall be constructed as detailed in Figure B3. Connections
between shearwall hold-downs and secondary floor girders
shall be constructed as detailed in Figure B4.
B.2.5.1 Hold-downs securing shear panels for one-story
homes shall have a listed working allowable load of
4,360 pounds (20,47 kN) for 10 foot (3048 mm) tall
shear panels [3,488 pounds (15.5 kN)for 8 foot (2438
mm) tall shear panels]. Hold-downs securing shear pan-
els for two-story homes shall have a working design
allowable load of 8,720 pounds (38.79 kN) for 10-foot
(3048 mm) tall shear panels [6,976 pounds (31 kN) for
8-foot (2438 mm) tall shear panels].
B.2.5.2. Tie-downs securing shear panels for one-story
homes shall have a listed working load of 4,360 pounds
SHEAR PANEL
TIE DOWN
LAMINATED
TIMBER
(WITH SPACER
FOR TIE DOWN
BOLT)
4 4 /8 PLATE
3
SHEAR PANEL TIE DOWN ROD
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm. For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE B3
PRIMARY BEAM AND SHEAR PANEL
TIE-DOWN CONNECTION DETAIL
154 STANDARD FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH-WIND REGIONS2008
(10.39 kN) for 10 foot (3048 mm) tall shear panels
[3,488 pounds (15.5 kN) for 8 foot (2438 mm) tall shear
panels). Tie-downs securing shear panels for two-story
homes shall have a working design load of 8,720 pounds
(38.79 kN) for 10-foot (3048 mm) tall shear panels
[6,976 pounds (31 kN) for 8-foot (2438 mm) tall shear
panels).
B.2.5.3 Connections between primary, secondary and
center girders and the reinforced columns of FEMA 550
open foundations shall be as detailed in FEMA 550. Col-
umn sizes may be increased up to 4 inches (102 mm) to
accommodate wider beams than those detailed in FEMA
550 if the 21/2 inch (64 mm) concrete cover for reinforc-
ing steel prescribed in FEMA 550 is maintained.
B.2.5.4 Connections between FEMA 550 enclosed foun-
dations (Design Cases E and F) shall be in accordance
with Section 305.2.3 of ICC-600 Standard for Residen-
tial Construction in High Wind Regions.
SHEAR
PANEL
TIE DOWN
FLOOR
JOIST
LAMINATED
TIMBER
(WITH SPACER
FOR TIE
DOWN BOLT)
4 4 /8 PLATE
3
SHEAR PANEL TIE DOWN ROD
FIGURE B4
SECONDARY BEAM AND SHEAR PANEL
TIE-DOWN CONNECTION DETAIL