ASHRAE Journal - May 2020 - 83

COLUMN BUILDING SCIENCES

FIGURE 9 Monolithic slab/grade beam with top surface slab insulation. Note the
bearing plate under the exterior wall and interior load bearing wall. Note the building paper/house wrap over the top of the rigid insulation to provide a slip surface
and to protect the assembly from liquids spilled on the finished floor during service. Rigid insulation such as extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene
(EPS) or isocyanurate.

Building Paper/House Wrap
Sealant, Adhesive or Gasket
Bearing Plate (2×4)
Capillary Break
Rodent Protection for
Continuous Rigid Insulation
For Insect Protection Provide 3 ft of
Mulch and Then Drought Resistent Plants

Subﬂoor
1.5 in. Rigid Insulation
Bearing Plate Under
Load Bearing Walls Only
Capillary Break

FIGURE 10 Monolithic slab/grade beam with top surface slab insulation and brick

veneer. Note the bearing plate under the exterior wall and interior load bearing
wall. Note the building paper/house wrap over the top of the rigid insulation to
provide a slip surface and to protect the assembly from liquids spilled on the
finished floor during service. Rigid insulation such as extruded polystyrene (XPS),
expanded polystyrene (EPS) or isocyanurate.

Building Paper/House Wrap
Sealant, Adhesive or Gasket
Bearing Plate (2×4)
Capillary Break

Subﬂoor
1.5 in. Rigid Insulation
Bearing Plate Under
Load Bearing Walls Only
Capillary Break

For Insect Protection Provide
3 ft of Mulch and Then
Drought Resistent Plants
Granular Capillary Break and
Drainage Pad (No Fines)

Ground Slopes Away From
Wall at 5% (6 in. per 10 ft)

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier

Granular Capillary Break and
Drainage Pad (No Fines)
Polyethylene Vapor Barrier

Ground Slopes Away
From Wall at 5% (6 in.
per 10 ft)

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier
Extended Under Grade Beam
Where it Also Acts as a
Capillary Break

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier
Extended Under Grade Beam
Where it Also Acts as a
Capillary Break
FIGURE 11 Monolithic slab/grade beam with top surface slab insulation. Note the

FIGURE 12 Monolithic slab/grade beam with top surface slab insulation and brick

bearing plate under the exterior wall and interior load bearing wall. Note the building paper/house wrap over the top of the rigid insulation to provide a slip surface
and to protect the assembly from liquids spilled on the finished floor during service. Semirigid board insulation such as mineral wool/stone wool or fiberglass.

veneer. Note the bearing plate under the exterior wall and interior load bearing
wall. Note the building paper/house wrap over the top of the rigid insulation to
provide a slip surface and to protect the assembly from liquids spilled on the finished floor during service. Semirigid board insulation such as mineral wool/stone
wool or fiberglass.

Subﬂoor
Building Paper/House Wrap
Sealant, Adhesive or Gasket
Bearing Plate (2×4)
Capillary Break
Rodent Protection for
Continuous Rigid Insulation

1.5 in. Rigid Insulation
Bearing Plate Under
Load Bearing Walls Only
Capillary Break

For Insect Protection Provide 3 ft of
Mulch and Then Drought Resistent Plants
Granular Capillary Break and
Drainage Pad (No Fines)
Ground Slopes Away From
Wall at 5% (6 in. per 10 ft)

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier

Water Control Layer/Sheathing
Building Paper/House Wrap
Sealant, Adhesive or Gasket
Bearing Plate (2×4)
Capillary Break

Subﬂoor
1.5 in. Rigid Insulation
Bearing Plate Under
Load Bearing Walls Only
Capillary Break

For Insect Protection Provide
3 ft of Mulch and Then
Drought Resistent Plants
Granular Capillary Break and
Drainage Pad (No Fines)
Ground Slopes Away
From Wall at 5%
(6 in. per 10 ft)

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier
Polyethylene Vapor Barrier
Extended Under Grade Beam
Where it Also Acts as a
Capillary Break

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier
Extended Under Grade Beam
Where it Also Acts as a
Capillary Break

insulation such as mineral wool/stone wool or ﬁberglass.
In some jurisdictions it may be necessary to provide
a removable strip of insulation and protection board
to allow for termite inspection (Figure 8, Page 82). The
removable strip of rigid insulation is bonded/adhered to
the protection board strip and is thicker than the lower
slab edge insulation. The removable protection board

strip is cantilevered over the lower protection board and
screwed in place to the lower protection board
Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11 and Figure 12 show monolithic slab/grade beam assemblies with top surface slab
insulations. Both rigid (extruded polystyrene [XPS],
expanded polystyrene [EPS] or isocyanurate) and semirigid board insulations (mineral wool/stone wool or
M AY 2020

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