Slab foundations: advantages, disadvantages, construction technology

In Russia, the slab foundation is not often used, but it is popular in the world due to the clear advantages of this type of building foundation. We offer a small overview of the slab foundation

What is the foundation slab?

Slab foundation - a monolithic concrete slab, which is mounted under the whole carcass of the house. Plate can be installed both on the surface and underground (basement to arrange, if necessary). The load is distributed over the entire plate area, which eliminates the deformation of the foundation during shifting of soil.

Advantages and disadvantages of the foundation slab

- Among the main advantages of this type of foundation - a high degree of reliability in any soil. He performed well in the most difficult terrain, it is highly resistant to shifting of the ground, closely spaced groundwater.
- Easy to install.
- Security.
- Ability to set the ground floor / basement.
- itself becomes the foundation slab for the floor of the first floor, or basement.

The main disadvantage of slab foundation - the high cost. He is much more expensive than any other type of base frame house. But, on the other hand, the high cost is more than compensated guarantee of safety.

The order of laying the foundation slab

- Before laying the excavated pit design depth, the bottom is carefully compacted.
- first layer - sand airbag. stacking cushions Technology: every 0.1 meters sand leveled, then filled with water and compacted.
- Next geotextile drainage pipe is laid.
- Next layer - rubble, which prevents clogging of the drainage system.
- Concrete screed is designed to preserve the waterproofing.
- Waterproofing protects concrete from breaking ground moisture.
- Penoplex or other insulating material required in cold climates.
- The protective polyethylene film.
- Monolithic reinforced concrete slab.

Types of plates.

- For the frame construction is best to mount a monolithic slab.
- Perhaps the use of factory panels, which are firmly bonded to each other. This option is used very rarely, because the design does not provide the same reliability as a monolithic slab.
- slab thickness is selected based on the load frame-panel house. In most cases, the thickness ranges from 30 to 40 centimeters.

Types slab foundation

The construction of private houses frame the following types of tile base applied under the key:

- Classic. This design involves penetration of the foundation below the frost line. In this case, the possible construction of the cap / basement.
- Floating foundation is mounted to a depth of one meter, typically, from 70 to 90 centimeters from the surface.

In the next article we will talk about how to determine the type of foundation for the construction of a frame house.