Choosing a foundation for a country house

Solid foundation - the foundation of any house. On was how to choose and built foundations, service life depends largely on the house and the comfort of living in it. Any error made at the stage of construction of the base, leads to sad consequences in the future: the foundation and, result - the wall may crack or foundation can "raise" the forces of frost heaving, and the structure can prosest skewed. All this will lead to the need for costly repairs.

To avoid this, you must choose right foundation. From our material you will learn the answers to the following questions:

• How to start a variety of foundations.
• Why you need to conduct geological surveys on the site.
• What are going to calculate the load bearing capacity of the foundation.
• What types of foundations are the most common.
• What is the most frequent error allow developers when selecting the construction of the foundation.

The main factors influencing the choice of the type of foundation

To understand how to choose the right foundation, it is necessary to understand its purpose.

The foundation is called the base of any structure that transmits the load created by the weight of construction, on the underlying soil layers. Properly designed and erected foundationmust redistribute to the ground:

• the weight of the house;
• snow load weight;
• the weight of the payload.

Before you proceed to the choice of the type of foundation, it is necessary:

• To develop a project at home, and to determine the material of the walls, ceilings, roofing.
• Calculate the estimated weight of the building.
• Learn the composition of the soil at the construction site and the level of underground water.
• Figure bearing capacity of soil.
• Perform a calculation base.

When choosing the type of foundation structure and its calculation is paramount conducting geological surveys. Depending on the bearing capacity of the soil and the material from which is made a house, the foundation can have a different depth of the features and construction.

Many novice developers underestimate the need for soil research. This leads to unnecessary or complex and costly design of the foundation, with a total rehypothecation its strength characteristics, either to save excessive, which leads to loss of quality and reliability of a base houses. About the consequences of such an approach is clearly described in the section of our site Repair and reconstruction of foundations.

The construction of the house (in the first place - a stone), without a clear understanding of the type of soil - is the construction of "blind", with unpredictable results in the long term.

Because foundation It transmits the load from the building to the underlying layers of soil, the area of ​​the active impact loads from home spreading significantly lower depth of the foundation sole. Additionally, the foundation can be adversely affected groundwater. This may eventually lead to the silting of the drainage or leaching of the sand preparation, which may cause uneven subsidence of the foundation.

Hydro-geological surveys and should be considered as an integral part of the construction process for the construction of the foundation. In the course of these studies:

• ascertain the type, composition and load-bearing capacity of soils;
• find out the level of groundwater;
• reveal the existence of a "difficult" soil;
• are voids, gaps, sites with non-cohesive, water-saturated soil.

All these measures will help to develop the necessary set of measures on drainage and sanitation of moisture from the foundation.

Andrew Pashuhin (Construction engineer company Fundamentalno.rf):

- Geological survey of soil and water at the construction site allows the designer to understand what grounds he has to work. What is the mark of the groundwater level, what differences there are in the area. Is it possible to build a basement. Then developed architectural design and select the type of foundation.

At this stage, usually developed several variants of the base structures. And, depending on the technical and economic performance and architectural solutions, selected the most rational variant of the foundation.

Alexei Melnikov (on construction expert):

- In my opinion, the best for a low-rise building type of ground - coarse sand or dry dense clay (loam and sandy loam) or low occurrence of rocks. They give the best result for the economy, since often to support reliable enough alone standing melkozaglublennyh concrete block or strip foundation, possibly precast concrete blocks or corpulent ceramic bricks.

Roman Nikonov (Construction Consultant):

- There are a number of soils, which in most cases can not serve as a ground structures - is peat peaty soils, neuplotnonnye bulk soil, silty water saturated sands, topsoil (Chernozem). Such soils are replaced, to pass through, if it is possible (using piles) or fixed with special technology.

There karst, subsidence, swelling soils, permafrost soils, usually requiring special events for the device on which the foundations. In all other cases, regardless of the type of soil and its bearing capacity is usually possible, the use of traditional types of foundations.

Also, when choosing the type of foundation is necessary to consider the likelihood of the forces of frost heaving.

Alexey Melnikov:

- Frost heave - is the process by which the winter moisture contained in the ground freezes. As a result, the soil moisture saturation expands in volume, and the spring thaw process is reversed. This can cause deformation of the foundation and the house.

Popular Today wall materials, such as most of the heat insulating cellular concrete, in particular gas and foam concrete blocks or of porous ceramic blocks are very demanding on the quality of the foundation, since they can not tolerate bending loads - work at kink.

Moreover, the construction of a deep buried foundation, especially under the relatively light structure, not always justified. This is due to the fact that the tangential components of the forces of frost heaving, because of the greater area contact with the recessed "wall" foundation, provide a greater overall effect of such a foundation.

Therefore, in many cases, instead of burying the foundation into the ground, it is wiser or more economical to build a base of shallow emplacement. You may need to take a range of measures that reduce the impact forces of frost heaving. Such measures include construction warmed otmostki, warmingbasement part and foundation drainage.

The main types of foundations

The low-rise building there are different types of foundations. Choosing a base structure, it must be remembered about a bunch of "soil-foundation-house". Those. the choice of the foundation begins with the collection of the anticipated loads, which will operate on the foundation, and it, in turn, will pass them to the ground.

Alexey Melnikov:

- For the calculation of the bearing capacity of the foundation come from the following values:

1. = Constant weight materials.

2. Long = weight of the engineering equipment, furniture, etc.

3. + = Partly operational climate (snow and wind load).

Then the load bearing area correspond with the intended type of foundation on a natural basis. Based on these calculation data is the soil bearing capacity and strength of the foundation structure.

Roman Nikonov (Construction Consultant):

Collect loads - is the sum of its own weight of building structures, temporary loads of people staying. For residential buildings the existing rules is recommended to take 153 kg per square meter floors, 70 kg per square meter on the attic floor, snow loads (for Moscow Region - 180 kg per square meter with a slope less than 30 degrees) and wind loads which are considered separately for each type of building, and region.

Collect loads done for each axis of the building is determined by the most loaded axle, and then carried out the width calculation ribbon quantity piles, etc. Calculation of the foundation slab, because of its complexity, it is better to conduct specialized programs.

The most common types of foundations:

pier foundation It is a structure of freestanding legs (poles). Columns may be made of concrete or assembled from foundation blocks. Poles are interconnected grillage - wood, concrete or metal beam (channel bar). This ensures that the whole structure the required rigidity and stability.

pier foundation mainly used during the construction of wooden or lightweight frame housesFor the construction of additions and porches.

Features pier foundation:

• low cost;
• ease and speed of erection;
• the possibility of self-construction;
• You do not need to bring a special construction machinery;
• a small amount of excavation and construction work;
• under the pier foundation is almost impossible to dig a basement;
• pier foundation is not suitable for areas with a large height difference.

Columnar foundations are suitable for the construction of relatively light (often malootvetstvennyh) builds on the good (strong and nepuchinistyh) soil types.

Strip foundation - is one of the common types of foundation. It is a closed beam, which preserves uniform cross section throughout its length.

On strip foundations can build different structures: from light - wood and frame housesTo heavy - and monolithic stone cottages.

Depending on the depth of the, strip foundation is divided into two types:

• Melkozaglublenny (MZLF). this type of foundation picky about the quality of reinforcement works, as its durability is most dependent on the proper reinforcement device. Mandatory requirement - the protection of sand bags, which is the foundation - by soaking.
• Glubokozaglublenny. This lay the foundation below the frost line. This type of foundation differs high durability, but also a greater material consumption.

Also strip foundation divided by form factor:

• Monolithic - is produced directly on the construction site. For this purpose, a predetermined formwork with reinforcement frame poured concrete.
• Prefabricated - made of prefabricated foundation blocks (FBS). Such blocks are mounted at the construction site by hand (if used-pieces blocks) or by crane.

Alexey Melnikov:

Melkozaglublennye monolithic strip foundations, with proper calculation and installation, suitable for almost all types of buildings and grounds. The foundation of this type are well-known builders. It is characterized by the relative ease of manufacture. Therefore, at the moment this type of foundation is widespread in low-rise housing construction.

slab foundation is a solid monolithic reinforced concrete slab, which lies on the ground and disposed under the whole area houses. This type of foundation has the greatest bearing surface, which reduces the pressure on the ground. Therefore slab foundation allows you to create a reliable basis for heavy home even on soils with poor bearing capacity. Because building slab and move as a unit, this type of foundation is also called "floating".

Features monolithic slab foundation:

• It can be mounted on almost any type of soil;
• subject to the set of actions associated with water removal and heat insulation, the foundation is resistant to frost heave forces;
• foundation provides increased load-bearing capacity;
• top part foundation simultaneously the plate core for stacking the finished floor;
• high cost ofAssociated with increased consumption of concrete and reinforcement;
• increased demands on the materials used, the technique and skills of workers;
• inability high cap device;
• in areas with a large height difference to the mandatory leveling platform the foundation;
• because all utilities houses pass through the plate, no easy access to them in case of need for repairs;
• due to the high thermal inertia, slab foundation is best suited for permanent home than for summer houses periodic heating and seasonal residence.

Besides the standard slab foundation, in recent years, it is gaining popularity energy-efficient foundation - UWB (insulated Swedish stove).

Swedish stove warmed(UWB) - a monolithic slab foundation shallow emplacement. The main difference from the conventional UWB-RC slabs is that the warming produced the entire perimeter of the foundation. Also in the basement are set in advance all the necessary utilities: water pipes and sewage systems, electricity cables, floor heating system. Because of this UWB it is considered the most technologically advanced and energy efficient type of foundation.

UWB foundation for the construction of energy-efficient one- and two-storey cottages, stone, timber and frame houses.

Features foundation UWB:

• It can be mounted on almost any type of soil;
• all necessary utilities in advance held in the basement;
• foundation resistant to frost heave forces;
• less compared to conventional slab foundation, concrete consumption;
• perfectly smooth floors 1st floor, ready for tiling, flooring and other floor coverings;
• increased demands on the materials used, the technique and skills of workers;
• inability high cap device;
• in areas with a large height difference to the mandatory leveling of the site for the foundation.

pile foundation is the length of the column, zaglublonnye in land and transmitting weight of the building to more tight and little compressible soils. Pile foundation is indispensable in cases where the construction is carried out in complex, saturated soils. Because Piles are sunk below the freezing point, it reduces the impact on the foundation of the forces of frost heave. The length of the piles, as well as their diameter and the amount of data is selected based on geological soil research in the area, and also considering the characteristics of the designed building.

Piles are linked together into a single unit grillage. This foundation gives the necessary rigidity and stability.

Features of the pile foundation:

• suitable for any type of soil (except rock);
• lower as compared to other types of foundations, the cost;
• a small amount of excavation;
• suitable for areas with a large height difference.

Therefore, in recent years for the construction of cottages are increasingly used screw pile-foundation. This type of foundation is a single field of metal piles, screwed into the ground.

Ruslan Friev (General Director of "Helix"):

Screw pile - a metal tube. One pointed end of the tube and is welded thereto blade special configuration. With pile blade as a drill, it is screwed into the ground. The blade compacts under a ground and pile on the calculated depth is deepened until reach a reliable foundation. Due to this, the calculated pile carries the load immediately after its screwing. Therefore, to build a house on such a foundation can be immediately after its installation.

The main advantages of the screw-pile foundation are:

• The high speed of construction. Installation of the foundation is made for 1-2 days.
• Screw piles are suitable for all types of soils, including - peat areas, areas with a high water table, flooded and marshy places.
• There is no need to align the vertical drop in the area and attract for this heavy equipment. After installation, the pile is trimmed to the desired height.
• To reconstruct or renovate emergency foundation.
• Screwing piles is carried out manually or mechanized manner by means of special equipment, in any weather conditions and time of year, for example, winter.
• The ability to quickly erection of extensions to an already built house, without major excavation, thus preserving the land in its original form.

Summarizing

Among novice developers it is widely believed that this type of foundation is a monolithic RC-plate - universal base, suitable for most types of soil. It should be remembered that the two, even neighboring areas may be different on the soil type. Also, there is a probability of occurrence is in your area "water lens", soils with poor bearing capacity, subsidence grounds. Therefore it is impossible to choose a foundation on the principle of "as built neighbor."

The foundation is designed strictly under a certain design of the house. There is no universal or type species of the foundationThat are suitable for different types of houses and grounds. Each case should be considered individually.

In section: "foundations"Collected all types and reasons for home. Having studied the subject: algorithm design strip foundation,  you will understand how to determine the type of foundation. here it is the most complete account the constructive foundation of UWBAnd then conducted a story about how to build a house on a foundation of aerated concrete TISE.

Also check out the video, which describes in detail, What is the foundation of "box-cooker".

Discuss the article and read other materials devoted to country life you can on the websiteFORUMHOUSE.

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