I saw a set of plans today which depict a single family structure apparently constructed from adobe brick. The drawings indicate a full basement and the walls consisting of 4" H x 12" L x 16" W adobe brick. There is horizontal steel (2-#2) at "Every Four Courses", but no vertical steel. The date of the drawings is 1977 and they are signed by a S.E.
Is this possible? I mean, I know it's possible that I saw the drawings, but is it possible that this type of construction was permissible in the 1970's? The structure is located in a remote section of Riverside County, so code enforcement could have been "less than optimum".
I'm just wondering what I'm missing.
Thanks,
T. William (Bill) Allen, S.E.
Consulting Structural Engineers
V (949) 248-8588 •