Features of a FBS strip foundation and step-by-step installation instructions

The FBS (Foundation Block Structure) strip foundation is a dependable option for creating a sturdy and long-lasting foundation for your house or any other structure. Precast concrete blocks are renowned for their exceptional ability to withstand heavy loads and severe weather. The stability and longevity of your project can be greatly enhanced by knowing the features and installation procedure of an FBS strip foundation, regardless of the size of the building—from a small home to a large industrial structure.

Because FBS blocks are simple to handle and assemble, they are a preferred choice for both do-it-yourselfers and builders. They are available in different sizes and are usually strengthened with steel bars. The ability of FBS blocks to offer consistent support throughout the foundation lowers the possibility of uneven settling or shifting over time, which is one of the main advantages of utilizing them.

There are several important steps involved in installing an FBS strip foundation, starting with careful planning and site preparation. Every step needs to be done precisely and with attention to detail, from laying out the foundation to making sure the base is level and placing the blocks in their proper places. Installing something successfully and smoothly can be ensured by using the right tools and adhering to the right procedures.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the installation of an FBS strip foundation in this article. Our comprehensive guide will give you the knowledge and helpful hints you need to achieve a strong and dependable foundation for your construction project, regardless of your experience level as a builder.

What is such a foundation??

The structure of reinforced concrete block foundations is prefabricated. They are made by stacking prefabricated FBS blocks and adding a layer of cement mortar in between.

Products come in a range of sizes:

  • thickness can vary between 200-600 mm in increments of 100 mm;
  • standard lengths are 880, 1180, 1780 and 2380 mm;
  • the height of FBS blocks is from 280 to 580 mm.

Made from this material, prefabricated foundation structures are widely used. They can be built on rocky, sandy, or clayey soil types.

Crucial! A reinforced concrete base is additionally laid beneath the foundation if the work is being done on loose and unstable soils. This increases the base area and makes it possible for the load to be distributed more evenly over the soil surface.

Advantages and disadvantages

It is recommended to use FBS blocks when building strip foundations for a number of reasons:

  • Quick installation. Reinforced concrete blocks are laid using a truck crane, so construction work can be completed within 1-2 days.
  • Low labor intensity. When using FBS, there is no need to involve a large number of working personnel or spend additional time preparing significant volumes of cement-sand mixture.
  • Durability. Factory-made foundation blocks strictly comply with GOST requirements. This gives prefabricated foundations a significant advantage over monolithic ones, during the construction of which errors may be made in the process of calculating the proportions of concrete components.
  • High load-bearing capacity. FBS structures can withstand significant loads, which makes them suitable for the construction of not only private houses, but also heavy multi-story buildings.

The drawbacks consist of:

  • structures made of reinforced concrete blocks are demanding on the quality of thermal insulation;
  • FBS cannot always be used on heaving and waterlogged soils;
  • under the foundations it is necessary to lay a special reinforced concrete base.

Application area

When it is inappropriate, impractical, or not financially viable to use other types of foundations (pile, monolithic, or columnar), strip bases made of reinforced concrete are utilized.

These kinds of designs are ideal for winter construction projects.

The low temperatures under such circumstances make it challenging to arrange standard monolithic foundations because the concrete mixture grabs and hardens much more slowly at those temperatures.

Only locations that allow for the passage of a car lifting crane are suitable for the installation of FBS block foundations.

Citation! Other types of foundations, such as monolithic ones, are used if it is not possible to set up specialized equipment close to the construction site.

Device and design features

In addition to the FBS blocks themselves, the design of these kinds of reinforced concrete foundations consists of several components:

  • Sand and gravel cushion. Located at the bottom of the trench, it serves to evenly distribute the load and provide high-quality drainage;
  • Reinforced concrete base. Prefabricated structures have a trapezoidal cross-section and an increased base area compared to FBS blocks. Used to increase the bearing capacity of the foundation and protect against subsidence.
  • Reinforced belt. It is a layer of concrete in the upper parts of the FBS foundation. Load-bearing walls of the building are subsequently erected directly on the armored belt.
  • Thermal and waterproofing. These materials are laid along the sides of reinforced concrete blocks. Their main functions are to prevent the destruction of structures due to exposure to groundwater, precipitation and sudden temperature changes.

Recommendations for choosing material

The size of the blocks is the primary factor considered when selecting construction materials. The specifications of the building project and the estimated load on the foundation structure are used to determine the precise values for product length, width, and thickness.

A visual inspection should be done as soon as possible after purchasing material to ensure there are no obvious flaws.

  1. cracks, large chips;
  2. damage at the attachment points of metal hinges.

It is advisable to obtain certificates and supporting documentation from the FBS block supplier attesting to the superior quality of the products.

Calculation of the number of rows

The majority of the time, multiple rows—at least two—of blocks are laid when building strip foundations out of FBS.

Many considerations are taken into account when determining their precise number:

  • material properties, from which the load-bearing walls of the building will be erected (brick, stone, monolithic panels);
  • soil characteristics: its looseness, density, freezing depth, groundwater level;
  • number of floors of the building: the higher the building, the stronger the foundation should be, and the more rows of FBS need to be laid when building the foundation.

Take note! Blocks of the same width are always laid in a single row. In this instance, the walls and reinforcing belts should not be wider than the FBS. Breaking this rule is a major code violation that can have a negative impact on the foundation’s ability to support weight.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Competent design is the most crucial phase of building an FBS foundation.

Professional builders should handle such tasks; skimping on their services can have dire repercussions, including forcing the building into an emergency before it should.

The following tasks are completed during the preparatory phase:

  • development of drawings;
  • the necessary calculations are carried out;
  • a clear work plan is drawn up.

Prior to beginning construction, the following must be done:

  • prepare the construction site,
  • remove debris and excess vegetation,
  • provide unimpeded access for special equipment to enter the territory.

Excavation

If a basement is to be included in the building, the blocks can be arranged in pits or trenches. Since the bases of the monolithic pillows are wider, the width of the trenches is determined by them rather than by the FBS dimensions.

It is best to use specialized tools with a bucket when digging pits or trenches. The manual digging method requires a lot more work and time.

Prior to beginning any earthworks, the following must be marked:

  1. determine the corners of the building,
  2. mark them with beacons,
  3. stretch a strong cord between them.

Crucial! Use a laser level to prevent distortions and unevenness.

Pits and trenches can range in depth from 1000 to 1400 mm. This is dependent upon how many rows of FBS blocks are used, how much of the soil freezes, and other considerations made during project development.

Pillow device

Cushions are placed at the bottom of trenches and pits to prevent the building’s walls and foundation from collapsing.

They are made of crushed stone (filled with the same layer on top of the sand) and sand (bottom layer up to 200 mm thick).

To achieve the necessary density, materials must be poured gradually and compacted every 10 cm.

Compaction should ideally be carried out with a specialized vibrating plate. You should wet the material thoroughly to improve compaction and expedite the process.

Arrangement of the sole

There are two methods to construct the sole upon which FBS blocks will be installed in the future:

  1. from ready-made FL blocks;
  2. by creating a monolithic structure.

The first approach is less complicated and costly. FL blocks are more frequently applied to low-moving, dense soils. After the products are arranged on top of the pillow, concrete is poured into the spaces created by their seams.

Citation! Building on relatively weak soils with low density necessitates additional labor, material, and time costs, but the structures created by monolithic sole construction are irreplaceable.

Over the gravel-sand cushion, a formwork composed of edged boards is constructed, and a reinforcement frame is positioned inside on both the top and bottom levels. The concrete mixture, the grade of which is chosen specifically for each project, is then poured into the formwork.

You can start installing FBS as soon as the concrete reaches the required strength, which should happen in one to two weeks.

Laying blocks

Because manual laying is not feasible due to the large weight of the products (1-2 tons, depending on size), a truck crane is used to install FBS.

Blocks placed on top of cement mortar, which closes up any vertical gaps between components.

FBS installation starts in the corner areas. In order to install the subsequent blocks more evenly, a cord is pulled along the initially installed blocks.

Take note! It is essential to use a level to carefully check each element’s placement after it has been laid.

Creation of an armored belt

After erecting every FBS block around the foundation’s edge, a reinforcing belt needs to be ready. The purpose of this structural component is to reinforce the base and improve its strength properties.

Formwork creation is the initial step. Edged boards are placed on top of the FBS blocks, which need to be firmly secured together, in order to achieve this.

Within the formwork, a reinforcement frame composed of steel rods that are at least 12 mm thick is installed. During the project’s development, the quantity of reinforcement and the size of the cells created by longitudinal and transverse metal rods are decided. Two to four longitudinal rods are typically installed.

Pouring the concrete mixture into the formwork is the last step. The wooden frame is taken apart once it has solidified.

Arrangement of waterproofing

Because FBS reinforced concrete blocks are susceptible to the effects of atmospheric and ground waters, the foundation’s construction must include the installation of a waterproofing layer.

Any appropriate materials, both liquid and roll, may be used.

Bitumen mastics, which are easily applied to the block’s side surfaces and offer dependable moisture protection, are used in many projects.

For many different types of construction projects, a strip foundation composed of foundation blocks (FBS) is a dependable and long-lasting option. This article examines the key components of FBS strip foundations and highlights their benefits, which include high load-bearing capacity, affordability, and ease of installation. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive, easy-to-follow tutorial on how to install an FBS strip foundation, covering everything from block placement and site preparation to reinforcement and final touches, guaranteeing a sturdy and long-lasting foundation for any building project.

Practical recommendations for construction

In order to guarantee the foundation’s long-term functionality and the quality of construction work that is desired, the following additional recommendations should be adhered to:

  • If construction is carried out on swelling soils, it is necessary to use high-strength FBS blocks. This will avoid destruction of the foundation due to temperature deformations of the soil during frosts.
  • It is necessary to control the thickness of the cement mortar layer that holds the individual blocks together. This parameter must be at least 15 mm.
  • When creating an armored belt, it is not advisable to take long breaks and gradually pour the concrete mixture into the formwork. The best results are achieved when the reinforcing belt is installed in one go.

Useful video

More details regarding the nuances of a strip foundation constructed from FBS blocks are provided in the video:

Feature Description
Material FBS blocks are made from high-strength concrete, making them durable and long-lasting.
Preparation Start with a clear and level site, ensuring the ground is compacted and stable.
Foundation Layout Mark the layout of the foundation on the ground, following the building plan accurately.
Trench Digging Excavate trenches according to the foundation layout, maintaining the required depth and width.
Sand Bedding Place a layer of sand at the bottom of the trench to provide a stable base for the blocks.
Block Placement Begin placing FBS blocks in the trenches, ensuring they are level and aligned properly.
Mortar Application Apply mortar between blocks to secure them in place and ensure stability.
Layering Continue placing blocks in layers, checking for alignment and levelness regularly.
Waterproofing Once the blocks are in place, apply waterproofing to prevent moisture from entering the foundation.
Backfilling Fill the trenches with soil, compacting it to provide additional support to the foundation.
Curing Allow the foundation to cure for a specified period before proceeding with further construction.

Any construction project must have a strong, dependable foundation, and a strip foundation built from Foundation Blocks of Solid (FBS) is a useful and long-lasting solution. You can guarantee a strong base that efficiently supports your structure by carefully following the installation instructions step-by-step.

Make an informed decision for your building needs by being aware of the unique qualities of FBS foundations, such as their high load-bearing capacity and resilience to inclement weather. These blocks are a useful tool in construction because they are adaptable and can be used to build a variety of structures.

An installation’s success depends on careful preparation and execution. Every step needs to be completed precisely, from clearing the space and setting the blocks to making sure everything is aligned and stable. A foundation that endures over time can be achieved by paying close attention to detail and following best practices.

An excellent foundation for the entire building process can be established by devoting time and energy to the construction of a well-built FBS strip foundation. This improves the structure’s longevity and safety while also giving you piece of mind that your building project is supported by a strong and stable foundation.

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Fedor Pavlov

Interior designer, author of books on residential design. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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