Possible structural issue?

[67fastback]

Hello

I am currently building a 28x40 detached garage. I had the concrete work done last year. Planning on framing in a couple months. I am concerned that my foundation (frost) wall is exposed a bit on the east side. My lot sloped down to a ditch between my neighbours lot and mine. I didn’t realize how far down it went until after the concrete work was done. I have full footings and 4’ frost walls all the way around. I’m thinking I will just run a couple rows of armour stone or retaining wall bricks and backfill 3 ft against the foundation walls. I don’t know if I should be concerned about anything structural. The stem walls extend 8” above the pad, so it does look a bit taller than it is. I have included photos. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[WNYflyer]

First things first, what depth to the bottom of footing relative to the minimum adjacent finished grade is required by your municipality for frost protection? If your concrete wall is truly 48" high then according to your sketch 48"wall + 10" footing thickness? - 23" t/wall to finished grade on east side = 35" of frost protection ? is this enough? is wall height actually more than 4' high to ensure proper frost protection on the lower grade east side?

 

[67fastback]

Thanks for the reply WNY. 48” is what’s required in my area. I believe they used 4’ forms around the whole perimeter on top of the footings, so I guess I’ll have to do something about it. I was mostly concerned about lateral stability. I would like to eventually put a hoist. In the garage.

 

[gsmith22]

because of the elevation change interior to exterior, your stem wall is acting like a cantilever retaining wall. For instance, your boat trailer's wheel pressing down on the slab creates a sideways lateral pressure on the wall (via the soil) that the wall needs to resist so that it doesn't overturn/slide. If the same grade elevation outside matched the floor slab elevation inside, there would be no slide/overturning issue. Based on the wall detail you posted, that looks like a traditional downward only strip wall foundation. I would try to bring the grade up on the outside of that wall as high as possible.

 

[The Cobbler]

you're fine with frost concerns . if the inspector had any concerns they would have mentioned something to you