Pole Barn Slab Movement?

[jumbo61]

I see a lot of guys put studded walls between their posts and finish them with all types of coverings. I assume the studded walls are nailed to the posts and bottom plate sits on or is fastened to the slab. Can slab movement be expected due to change in seasons or for some other reason? The posts aren't moving because they are below the frost line. What happens to the studded walls? Or, should I not be concerned about this? I have a new pole barn type garage and was just wondering.

 

[BooRadley]

I am so glad you asked this question. Reason being, I am considering a steelmaster type building, BUT my fallback position is to have a company put up a post frame building. I don't know why, but this thought (slab movement) is constantly stabbing at me. Post frame guys give you 4" for free, and it's not a big deal that it's so thin because you're not sitting on top of it. I guess I would make 6" slab with an archstyle, but that is more money.

Anyways, great question. Hopefully, someone will have more of a clue than I.

 

[cyamaha2007]

We isolate the floor from the post for this reason. Ive never seen it mess up osb covered walls tho. Im going to install another set of girts on the inside to hang osb on instead of studding out walls.

 

[kbs2244]

Good question!
I would let them float independently.
In other words, in spite of the temptation, don't tie anything to the posts.
Pallet racks come to mind as the idea.

 

[Old Moparz]

This is a good point since I want to finish the walls in my shop one day, too.

There is definitely movement in my slab & it's enough to where I need to remove the deadbolt on one garage door because it binds inside the door track. I can't slide the lock after several days of below freezing temperatures & I have to mount the lock in a different location on the door. Once the weather stays warmer regularly, I reinstall the lock to where it was to keep the door pressed tight on the floor.

Since a stud wall in a pole building wouldn't be structural, why not let the bottom plate rest on the floor without anchoring it? Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see why you couldn't use a material under the plate just to seal it, & still allow movement. Maybe a dense, but flexible insulation product would work.