TANDEM
®
SYSTEM
–
61
CONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR LIVING COMPONENTS WITH THE TANDEM MODULAR GRID
BUILDING DECK SKIRTING
Applications: new wood or concrete decks,
or existing concrete decks
Another application of the Tandem grid consists of covering the free space
under a deck by building a Tandem wall around it . Tandem veneers are supported
by a galvanized shelf angle and a wood frame fixed to the deck (wood or concrete) .
The wood frame consists of treated plywood to provide a continuous attachment area
for the grid, and vertical bracing to stabilize the structure and withstand lateral
loads such as the wind . The whole structure is supported by appropriate foundations
(screw piles for wooden decks and concrete foundations for concrete decks) .
Maximum height of Tandem wall: 1 .5 m (5 ft)
To install deck skirting on existing concrete structures, you must first ensure
that the initial structure (the deck itself) can bear the additional weight of new
covering components: wooden structure, shelf angle and Tandem veneers .
For this kind of project, it is strongly recommended to engage a structural engineer
or specialist in the field to validate the structural design details for adequate
load bearing .
In all cases, it is necessary to minimally comply
with the design criteria shown below:
Wall weight (grid and veneers): 1 .35 KN/m² (28 lbs/sq ft)
Wind: 1 kPa (21 lbs/sq ft)
Overload: 1 .9 kPa (40 lbs/sq ft)
Note: Design assumptions do not take into account earthquake effects .
It may be necessary to consult an engineer .
Minimum allowable bearing capacity of soil: 75 kPa (1575 lbs/sqft) .
Minimum depth of foundations in soil: 1 .8 m (6 ft) away from frost
(consult an engineer to check the typical depth of frost for your area) .
Leave a free space under the Tandem wall of at least 75 mm (3
"
) .
Note: As there is no direct access from the top of a unit (since the Tandem wall
is built under the deck), it will be impossible to attach the last row of veneers
to the Tandem grid with connectors . Simply glue the last row of veneers to the
second-to-last row with a concrete adhesive like Permapro adhesive .
The sketches shown here have been designed to withstand the additional loads of
Tandem walls . The details shown are valid for applications suggested in this guide .
It is strongly recommended to engage a structural engineer or specialist in the field
to validate structural design details for other configurations .
DECK SKIRTING –
3D VIEW