Features of a columnar foundation for a bathhouse

Of course! This serves as a brief introduction to your article about the characteristics of a bathhouse’s columnar foundation:

Any building must have a strong foundation, but for a bathhouse, the type of foundation you choose can have a big impact on how long it lasts. Columnar foundations are a common choice for small buildings, such as bathhouses. Columnar foundations use individual columns or piers that are placed strategically to support the structure, as opposed to traditional continuous foundations that distribute the load over a wide area.

Columnar foundations are especially useful in places where the soil is unstable or where excavation may be difficult. Because they require less digging, they reduce ground disturbance, which is advantageous in areas with high groundwater levels or rocky terrain. In order to ensure stability, this kind of foundation transfers the bathhouse’s weight directly to the load-bearing strata below the surface.

The ability of a columnar foundation to adapt to different environmental conditions is one of its main characteristics. Various materials, including concrete, reinforced concrete, and treated wood, can be used for its construction, contingent upon the site’s unique requirements and the design of the bathhouse. Because of its adaptability, it’s a sensible option for both long-term constructions and temporary structures like bathhouses.

Additionally, columnar foundations have advantages in terms of construction time and cost-effectiveness. When compared to traditional foundations, they typically require fewer materials and can be constructed more quickly, which lowers labor costs and expedites project completion. Their effectiveness renders them a compelling choice for homeowners wishing to construct a bathroom without requiring substantial foundation work.

This article will go into greater detail about columnar foundations for bathhouses, including their construction method, materials utilized, advantages and disadvantages, and factors to take into account when selecting this kind of foundation for your particular building site and requirements.

Parameters for choosing a foundation for a building

Often, wooden beams or logs are utilized in the construction of this structure. Because of the relative light weight of these materials, the bathhouse won’t be hefty.

As a result, it is best to construct the building on a foundation made up of several pillars that are buried in the ground.

Brick, pipes, wood, stone, foundation blocks, or reinforced concrete can all be used to create these supports.

Refer to this: A columnar support base is deemed cost-effective in terms of construction time, materials, and consumables.

It is also suitable for any kind of soil and simple to install. Such a foundation can be built by any novice master.

A structure with a columnar foundation will be dependable and long-lasting if all construction procedures are followed correctly.

It is important to note the drawbacks:

1. Only low and light buildings can be erected on a columnar foundation,
2. it is not suitable for unstable ground.
3. this base is sensitive to horizontal soil movement, sudden cold snaps and floods.

Furthermore, the foundation does not permit full insulation beneath the structure and basement layout. Installing communications in a building on poles is challenging.

Basic principles of construction

The foundation can be any of the following, depending on how deep the pillars are in the earth:

• shallow;
• recessed;
• not buried.

The first two kinds of bases are generally appropriate for a bath.

Shallow base

Here, the platform’s constituent parts come together to form a single, robust structure that is susceptible to any distortion in the ground. The load is distributed uniformly over the base’s whole surface by the structure. A sturdy grillage composed of metal brackets or reinforced concrete joins the supports.

While a shallow foundation may have a small base lift, level deformation beyond the allowable calculations used in the construction industry—calculations that directly affect building design—is not permitted.

The same procedures that apply to other foundation types also apply to all calculations for shallow foundations.

Take note! The soil’s quality and the anticipated weight on the bathhouse’s base are the basis for the calculations. In this instance, extra care is taken in determining the foundation’s dimensions to guarantee bending stability.

Recessed base

This kind of sole varies in the depth of the pillars and is directly influenced by the freezing point of the soil. In essence, this depth is higher than 0.4 meters. The actual stages are the same as those for a small foundation foundation.

You can use a specialized machine or a drill that runs on gasoline or electricity to dig holes. In the latter scenario, you will need to seek assistance from construction companies.

It is preferable to install supports below the freezing point of the ground on heaving soils, despite the structure’s small volume and relatively light weight. Otherwise, the foundation might "walk" when the temperature changes.

A bathhouse’s columnar foundation is a particular kind of foundation made to withstand the particular requirements of a sauna. Columnar foundations concentrate the load onto particular points or columns, as opposed to traditional foundations, which distribute the building’s weight evenly over a larger area. Because it reduces the chance of structural damage, this targeted support is essential in places where the ground freezes or there is shifting soil. Columnar foundations provide stability and longevity by distributing weight in a strategic manner. This makes them the perfect choice for bathhouses that are exposed to high humidity and fluctuating temperatures. Gaining insight into these characteristics enables builders to select the ideal type of foundation to efficiently support and safeguard their bathhouse structures.

Step-by-step instructions for making your own from different types of materials

You must first get ready for construction:

1. Make a clearing and plan territory for the upcoming construction. Then remove the turf (about 0.3 meters). At this stage, it is necessary to smooth out the depressions and differences as best as possible. If there is an admixture of clay in the soil, the pits are filled with gravel and sand.
2. Pre-prepared diagram baths are moved to a plot of land. To do this, use a measuring tape, a building level, a special thread for marking the axes. It is also necessary to prepare pegs, they can be made of metal or wood.

Citation! Leveling the surface is necessary in order to calculate the size of the foundation pillars for a land plot with significant height variations. This will ensure that there are no distortions in the bath.

It’s critical to ascertain the type of soil, the freezing point, and the depth of water in the soil before beginning any excavation work. These indicators determine how deeply the support pillars are going to be buried. By excavating a hole approximately 1.5 meters deep, you can determine the kind of soil and the water content of the soil.

If water is discovered in the trench, you must excavate to a 0.4 meter thick layer of earth. The degree of soil freezing increases with soil clay content.

You can install the bath’s future sole safely if there isn’t any liquid at this depth.

Ignoring these conditions could lead to the bathhouse’s base becoming unusable or even askew due to the effects of groundwater and negative temperatures.

The best method is to dig pits by hand; this will improve manipulation accuracy, make formwork construction easier, and protect the top layer of soil from being destroyed by heavy machinery.

The materials that will be used during construction determine the size of the pits for the construction of a columnar foundation:

• for pillars made of stone and brick, the optimal hole diameter is 0.5×0.5 meters;
• for cement pipes – 200 mm;
• for reinforced concrete supports 0.3 – 0.4 meters.

Sand (about 0.2 meters) must be poured into the pits, along with water and a thorough compacting. You can proceed to the next phase of construction as soon as the sand cushion is prepared: building a columnar base out of appropriate material.

Crucial! The option with a grillage is the only one where pillar-type bases are not installed in accordance with a single scheme.

From pipes

For building a bathhouse sole, pipes made of asbestos cement or metal work well.

They are ground into the necessary size pieces using a grinder. It is important to note that the pipe support should only protrude 0.5 meters above the ground.

Since tubular supports are susceptible to moisture, they need to be shielded from aggravating elements. You can do this by applying a specific resin, covering the pipes with a hydrophobic film, or wrapping the roofing material with bitumen.

The pipes are carefully installed in pits following processing. A mixture of sand and gravel is packed into the space between the pipe and the ground.

To serve as a reinforcing frame, reinforcing stakes are positioned in the center of the laid pipes, close to one another. The fittings’ length needs to be greater than the pipe’s diameter.

It is now necessary to pour concrete mixture into the foundation pillars. The prepared piles will solidify and get stronger over the course of a week. You can now start building the bathhouse further.

Fascinating! The dependability, speed of construction, and relatively cheap cost of pipe foundations are their defining characteristics.

Made of brick

Similar to pipes, preparation and excavation work must be done before brick pillars can be built.

Sand must be added to and compacted into hand-dug pits. After adding the concrete mixture to the sand cushion, use reinforcement mesh to fortify it.

To construct it, the metal rods must be cut to the pit’s dimensions and then laid out, with the intersections secured with binding wire with a small diameter. The reinforcement mesh and concrete base thickness should both be within 20 centimeters.

When building a bath structure, a columnar brick base is frequently utilized, but you should be aware of potential issues that could arise while the construction site is in use. The deformation of brick seams caused by climatic factors can result in the foundation’s destruction.

From blocks

The standard size of industrial concrete blocks used to build a columnar base is 20x20x40 centimeters. Their resilience to adversity and strength set them apart.

With a few exceptions, the block base is constructed using the same blueprint as a brick support.

The thickness of the concrete base on top of the sand cushion varies from 0.5 to 0.7 meters, accounting for the larger mass of blocks.

Medium and large crushed stone is used instead of sand in the production of construction cushions because it removes moisture.

A layer of cement mortar is used to install the first row of blocks. Cement is used to secure the blocks in successive rows so that they are perpendicular to each other.

The last blocks are positioned between two and three meters above the ground. Their surfaces are waterproofed to provide protection from low temperatures and humidity.

Blocks must be placed on the ground with careful attention to their placement in relation to the intended axes of the bathhouse that is currently being built. The spaces surrounding the installed block supports are compacted and filled with earth.

Take note! Blocks must be installed carefully on sloping terrain. Mounting them at the same depth is not allowed because this can distort the bathhouse and cause the sole to become deformed.

Made from concrete

On this foundation, excavation and preparatory work are completed in accordance with the overall plan. Three to four reinforcing rods are used to create square or round frames. A 0.2 meter protrusion above the base is included in the length calculation.

A thin wire is used to connect the rods. The reinforced frame is placed into the pit after formwork has been constructed and installed. Concrete mixture is gradually poured into the support and compacted at the same time using an iron rod or a vibrating machine.

Although it is costly and labor-intensive, this kind of foundation is regarded as dependable and long-lasting.

Made of wood

You can quickly install a low-cost base for a light frame bathhouse or log building by applying a layer of bitumen and an antiseptic to wooden logs. Such a sole’s quick wear will be a major drawback.

In pre-dug pits, wooden piles are placed and then compacted after being fixed in place with gravel, tiny stones, or crushed stone.

Construction with a grillage

It is possible to communicate and move the load from the walls to the supports, who then move it to the soil, in a structure that has grillage.

In other words, the bearing component strengthens the bath complex and unites the piles into a single power silhouette, thereby lowering the load on the foundation.

Because the grillage is not in contact with the ground, there is a decreased chance of rust, damage from moisture, and insect activity. Nevertheless, waterproofing is still important in this situation.

For a significant structure, the grillage height must be at least 20 cm. The grillage is constructed with a width equal to the width of the walls in the event that the ceiling rests on additional pillars.

The grillage is recessed into the bathhouse far enough to support the beams if they are positioned directly on top of it.

Building a grillage out of reinforced concrete is like pouring a strip sole:

1. Bituminous mastic is applied to the upper cut of the pillars.
2. Using reinforcement, jumpers are connected – the frame is made from them.
3. Wooden formwork being installed.
4. With a low grillage, sand and crushed stone are poured onto the bottom. With hanging formwork, the bottom of the formwork will be a flooring made of boards, which is supported from below by bars. Another way: pour soil or sand under the flooring, after the concrete has set, remove it.
5. The formwork is covered from the inside with waterproofing material (for example, roofing felt).
6. Reinforced frame is being installed. Longitudinal rods are tied to the vertical reinforcement with wire at two levels, bottom and top. The distance from the reinforcement to the concrete surface is at least 3 cm.
7. Then the concrete is poured.

In a month, the formwork is taken down. Make waterproofing and clear the sand from the vents.

As a guide, place vents in the ground grillage at least 30 centimeters above the ground (for instance, away from pipes).

Paul device

Installing floors on a columnar sole is one of the crucial steps in construction.

Between the earth and the floorboards, a unique layer of brick or concrete is prepared to maintain a specific temperature for him in the bath.

The space beneath the floor, which can later be insulated, will be divided by this gap.

The insulated area is closed while the bath’s exterior is being assembled. This floor feature allows the bathhouse to have a basement for storing tools and bathroom supplies.

Oversights in construction

The bath base is constructed incorrectly by non-professionals in the field of construction. The uneven subsidence is the clear flaw in the columnar basis. This could happen in the event that the foundation bookmark’s depth is calculated incorrectly. Additionally, the foundation is sagging due to an uneven load on the platform’s support.

It is not advised by experts to create a foundation that is distinct from that of a typical object. The depth of the base supports must be the same.

While working, amateurs might not consider the features of the terrain, but knowing the depth of freezing and the height of groundwater is crucial.

Crucial! Heavy buildings are not supposed to be built on pillar foundations. The foundation will need to be repaired or even replaced if this rule is broken.

Compared to conventional foundations, a columnar foundation for a bathhouse has a number of clear advantages. Its layout reduces the impact on the ground with individual concrete or reinforced concrete columns evenly spaced throughout the footprint of the structure. This technique is especially helpful in regions where the soil is unstable and prone to frost heaving or seasonal changes. Through vertical load distribution onto the columns, the foundation lowers the possibility of uneven settlement or long-term structural damage.

The affordability and quick construction of a columnar foundation are two more important advantages. Installing individual columns uses less material and excavation than digging a continuous trench for a traditional foundation. This efficiency lowers overall construction costs in addition to saving time during the building process. Additionally, the columnar foundation system’s simplicity makes it easier to make adjustments and corrections during installation, guaranteeing a more accurate and sturdy bathhouse base.

Furthermore, columnar foundations’ design flexibility is useful in a variety of landscape and environmental settings. This foundation type can be modified to meet particular site requirements, regardless of whether the bathhouse is located next to a body of water with fluctuating water tables or on uneven terrain. By modifying the depth and diameter of the columns in accordance with soil reports and load calculations, engineers can guarantee the structure’s longevity and best possible performance.

In summary, the columnar foundation offers a contemporary and effective substitute for building bathhouses, providing stability, financial savings, and flexibility to various geographic locations. Because of its reduced ground disturbance and streamlined construction procedures, it is the material of choice for builders who want to increase structural durability and integrity without sacrificing cost-effectiveness.

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