Building a sturdy and stable structure requires installing formwork for a strip foundation. A sturdy foundation for the structure is provided by properly constructed formwork, which guarantees that the concrete is poured and set in the right shape and dimensions. Although this process may seem overwhelming, it can be simple and doable with the appropriate approach.
It’s important to gather all required tools and materials before starting. Usually, these consist of hammer, measuring tape, nails, stakes, and wooden boards. Making sure you have everything you need on hand will facilitate a more efficient and seamless installation process.
Setting up the location is the next step. The area where the foundation will be installed should be leveled and free of any debris. Here, precise measurements are essential; investing the time to precisely mark out the foundation’s dimensions will pay off in the long run. Make sure everything is square and level by defining the formwork’s perimeter with stakes and string lines.
Once the site is ready, you can start putting the formwork together. In order to do this, place the wooden boards around the foundation’s perimeter and fasten them with stakes. To stop the boards from moving when the concrete is poured, they must be securely fastened. A successful pour depends on verifying the formwork’s alignment and level at this point.
Formwork that will support a sturdy and dependable strip foundation can be set up by following these instructions and being careful to ensure precision and stability. Knowing the fundamentals of formwork installation, whether you’re a novice builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, is an invaluable ability that will help your construction project turn out well.
- Features of strip foundation
- Formwork installation process
- Territory marking
- Installation of guide boards
- Video on the topic
- DIY wooden formwork. How to make formwork for a foundation
- Formwork for strip foundations
- 29. Strip foundation 6x8m
- Simple tips for FAST and EASY installation of wooden formwork. Part 1 – driving in stakes.
- FORMWORK 25mm UNDER A STRIPT FOUNDATION THE Least Expensive OPTION / HOW TO MAKE FORMWORK WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
- Plywood foundation formwork. Installation and fastening.
- SUPER – convenient assembly FORMWORK for a strip foundation {Easy to mount to any height}
- How to pour a foundation WITHOUT MISTAKES: how to properly prepare for the construction of a monolithic foundation
Features of strip foundation
For a one-story building, a strip foundation is the most straightforward and useful type of foundation. But there are a lot of crucial factors that need to be considered when designing this. An emergency situation could develop (the house sagging, cracks in the walls, etc.) if even one of them is ignored.
First off, if you don’t know much about design, it’s best to hire a designer. However, there are a ton of online calculators available these days that can assist you in performing the required calculations as accurately as possible. The properties of the soil, the wall thickness, the number of floors in the house, and the weight of the building materials must all be considered when designing a strip foundation.
Design of the strip foundation formwork
In order to assess the soil’s composition and potential for subsidence or movement, geodetic measurements can be useful. The depth of soil freezing and groundwater are two other climate characteristics that are considered. The foundation needs to be 30 centimeters below the soil’s freezing point.
Second, a strip foundation necessitates the precise upkeep of construction technology and the installation of premium formwork.
Formwork installation process
Formwork is a unique construction meant to form the portion of the foundation that is above ground. able to be taken off or left in place. The first is typically composed of metal or wood. Furthermore, the second is composed of plastic. The steps involved in installing formwork can be broken down into the following order:
2. Setting up instruction boards.
Formwork for a strip foundation can be easily completed by hand if the instructions are strictly followed. The process itself is not difficult. You must first do some preparatory work, such as leveling the building site and removing any grass and debris. Proceed to markup after that.
Territory marking
The strip foundation parameter is designated at the start of this step. Installing a U-shaped structure that consists of a horizontal bar, two pegs pushed against one another, and a thread stretched between them is required to accomplish this. The foundation’s outer edges are created in this manner. The internal limits of the structure are stretched concurrently. Right angles, straight lines, and the same separation between internal and external borders must all be strictly followed in this situation. The width of the foundation walls is equal to the distance between the stretched ropes.
Once the perimeter has been marked, the angles must be verified to equal ninety degrees. You can measure the diagonals to achieve this by making their length equal. Following the perimeter’s marking, the internal walls’ location is established. These walls will support the building’s interior partitions.
Excavations for trenches are made alongside extended ropes, considering the extra space required for formwork. The estimated trench depth needs to be increased by an additional 30 cm, or 15 cm for the crushed stone layer and 15 cm for the sand layer.
One of the most important steps in making sure your building has a sturdy base is installing formwork for a strip foundation. From choosing the appropriate materials and measuring the space precisely to putting the formwork together and fastening it in place, this guide covers all the necessary procedures. You can build a strong foundation that will effectively support your structure and endure for many years by following these instructions.
Installation of guide boards
After backfilling and using a vibrating plate to thoroughly compact a layer of sand and a layer of crushed stone, this stage starts.
The most common boards used to install formwork are 15 cm wide, 2.5–5 cm thick. It makes sense to take 5 cm boards since they will be helpful for building roofs in the future. First and foremost, it is important to take the height of the concrete layer into account. Additionally, you can use multi-layer plywood or chipboard. If you intend to pour a very high foundation, you will need to install the formwork using metal (steel, aluminum, plastic with metal ties, or combinations of metals) or reinforce the structure with more ties.
Panels are used to assemble the formwork itself. It is necessary to knock down the boards so that the joints have gaps no larger than 2 mm. Braces are used to secure shields.
The formwork panels’ width should match the trench’s depth plus an extra 30 centimeters for the foundation base.
Stakes constructed from leftover board material can serve as the braces’ supports. At a distance of one to two meters, the shields drive them into the earth. The braces are placed one meter apart from one another. Additional jumpers are positioned on the upper sections of the shields, spaced 0.5–1 m apart. These safety measures are required to keep the formwork from opening when the concrete weighs on it. Steel wire can also be used to secure the boards of opposing panels together.
The structure is fastened with nails or self-tapping screws. If nails are used, the outer part of the nail should be driven into the wood so that nothing protrudes, and the heads must be driven inward.
Anywhere along the formwork, the boards’ deflection shouldn’t be more than 3 mm. You can use a two-meter rod to make sure.
The formwork panel’s top should be 3 cm higher than it is in the project. This considers the subsidence of concrete. Since the formwork’s edge is where concrete is poured, every panel needs to be both vertical and horizontal.
Waterproofing material is positioned along the trench’s bottom and secured to the panel walls after the formwork is installed.
The assembly of the reinforcement cage comes after the waterproofing stage. In this instance, wire fastening of the reinforcement is required.
Openings must be made for the foundation’s ventilation and communication systems to enter. Once everything is prepared, the concrete mixture can be safely poured.
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Prepare the site by clearing debris and leveling the ground. |
| 2 | Measure and mark the foundation layout using stakes and string. |
| 3 | Dig the trench to the required depth and width. |
| 4 | Install wooden boards or metal panels along the trench sides to form the shape of the foundation. |
| 5 | Secure the formwork with stakes and braces to prevent movement. |
| 6 | Ensure the formwork is level and square using a spirit level and measuring tape. |
| 7 | Apply release agent to the formwork for easy removal after the concrete sets. |
| 8 | Pour the concrete into the formwork and use a vibrator to remove air bubbles. |
| 9 | Allow the concrete to cure, then remove the formwork carefully. |
Installing formwork for a strip foundation is an essential step in making sure your building project is sturdy and stable. The process of making a mold that will keep the concrete in place while it sets requires meticulous planning and execution. You can create a strong foundation that will efficiently support the structure by using a methodical approach.
Make sure the area is level and start by marking out the dimensions of the foundation on the ground. Build the formwork with wooden boards or metal panels, fastening them firmly with bracing and stakes. This will assist in keeping the alignment and shape when the concrete is being poured.
To avoid leaks or bulges, pay close attention to the joints and corners and reinforce them as necessary. Make sure there are no gaps or weak areas in the formwork before adding the concrete. Problems during the curing process can be avoided by making sure the formwork is sturdy and stable.
Before removing the formwork, give the concrete time to properly cure after it has been poured. In order to give the foundation the desired strength and stability, this step is essential. A dependable and long-lasting strip foundation for your building will be the consequence of patience and close attention to detail throughout the installation process.
