Recommendations for the construction of a strip foundation for a brick house

Any building must have a strong foundation, and for brick homes, a strip foundation is frequently the preferred option. By distributing the weight evenly across the ground, this kind of foundation gives the structure above steady support. It’s important to take into account a number of factors before beginning construction, including the soil type, the local climate, and the house’s size and weight. These components will affect your strip foundation’s depth and design.

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First and foremost, it’s critical to understand your soil conditions. The load-bearing capacities and rates of expansion of different soils can influence the stability of a foundation over time. Test the soil to find out its composition and strength. For example, sandy soils offer better drainage but may need deeper footings for stability, while clay soils expand and contract significantly with changes in moisture.

Next, think about the local climate. For example, freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates can put pressure on foundations. To avoid frost heave and cracking in these regions, it becomes imperative to make sure the foundation is properly insulated and has proper drainage around it. Sufficient waterproofing techniques also guard against moisture seepage, which over time may erode the foundation.

Consider the size and weight of your brick home when designing the strip foundation’s measurements. Deeper and wider footings are necessary for larger or multi-story structures in order to properly distribute the weight. In order to avoid movement brought on by seasonal ground freezing, the foundation should extend below the frost line. Furthermore, ensuring compliance with structural requirements and safety standards can be achieved by consulting local building codes and regulations.

1. Soil Assessment: Evaluate soil type and stability to determine suitable foundation depth and width.
2. Foundation Dimensions: Design width and depth of the strip foundation according to structural load calculations and soil conditions.
3. Waterproofing: Apply effective waterproofing materials to prevent moisture penetration into the foundation walls.
4. Reinforcement: Use steel reinforcement bars (rebar) to enhance the foundation"s strength and durability.
5. Drainage: En Adhere to local building codes and regulations for foundation construction to ensure compliance and safety.

The strip foundation is essential for providing stability and support when building a brick home. This article presents key suggestions for building a strip foundation, focusing on elements such as soil analysis, foundation design considerations, appropriate materials, and appropriate building methods. By being aware of these crucial components, builders and homeowners can guarantee a strong, long-lasting foundation that satisfies the unique needs of a brick building, promoting structural integrity over the long term and reducing the likelihood of problems. Does this sum up what you’re looking for in its entirety?

Advantages and disadvantages of LF, operating conditions

The strip foundation gets its name from its geometry, which makes sense because everything about it is obvious. The foundation is a strip of reinforced concrete that is constructed around the future home’s perimeter.

The house’s design, down to the bay window, internal load-bearing walls, veranda, and so forth, is replicated precisely on the tape. The foundation distributes the load from the walls equally because of this design.

Conventionally, a strip foundation is constructed by pouring concrete into formwork that has been prepared. Metal rods must be used to reinforce the tape, forming a lattice out of them.

Such a base offers several benefits because of the device:

  1. A simple design that does not require heavy equipment for construction – ordinary tools are enough to do all the excavation work, make formwork and concrete mortar, right on the site.
  2. Relatively low cost – due to the small footprint compared to a slab foundation, for example.
  3. Ability to withstand high loads – a two-story brick house can be built on such a foundation.
  4. Frost resistance.
  5. Possibility of construction without the involvement of work crews.
  6. Fast construction.

However, there are some drawbacks to the strip foundation as well. It is appropriate only for dense, non-heaving soils, to start.

It is possible to construct a strip foundation in the event of soil heaving, but the process will be more difficult due to the increased base width and depth. The use of a strip base is inappropriate if the soil has a low bearing capacity.

The weight of the house is added to its own substantial bulk, which represents its second relative disadvantage. Inaccurate calculations result in the building’s subsidence.

What should it be?

Strength and resistance to all kinds of loads are essential. For this reason, the foundation is made of concrete with a strength grade of at least 250 (you can learn more about the different concrete grades for LF here).

Sand and crushed stone are examples of other premium materials that should be used. When mixing the concrete mixture, the ratios must be carefully followed. If you are unsure of your ability, it is preferable to purchase ready-made concrete.

The site needs to be geologically surveyed before the foundation is laid. ascertain the kind of soil and the depth of groundwater. These are significant variables that affect the belt’s characteristics, especially its depth.

Design and calculation

A project that showcases the following is being developed for the foundation:

  • foundation contour – it runs along the entire perimeter of the house, plus under the internal load-bearing walls, architectural elements (bay window, veranda);
  • depth – depends on the bearing capacity of the soil, groundwater level;
  • tape width – depends on the thickness of the walls of the house, the total load on the base;
  • reinforcement – the pitch of the reinforcement must be indicated;
  • base height;
  • type and thickness of waterproofing;
  • thermal insulation thickness.

Options

Principal variables:

  • burial depth,
  • tape width,
  • sole area,
  • plinth height.

The distance between the ground level and the foundation’s base is known as the depth of occurrence. You must know the kind of soil, its freezing point, and the level of groundwater in order to compute it. A geological study is used to determine the first and last parameters, and the corresponding table for the regions of Russia is used to determine the freezing point.

The foundation’s base descends 10–20 cm below freezing. Installing a drainage system is required in cases of high standing waters.

The base tape’s width is determined by the wall’s thickness; it is 10 cm wider than the wall’s thickness. Regarding the sole area, it ought to measure roughly 200 mm in width more than the tape.

However, these are illustrative statistics. Using an online calculator will allow you to calculate the depth of the tape with accuracy. Make use of pre-made tables to determine the base’s width and area.

What kind of foundation is needed for a one-story building??

Assume for the moment that you want to construct a 10 by 10 meter house with walls that are three meters high out of solid red brick.

A wall that has one and a half bricks laid will be 380 mm thick. Accordingly, the base’s width needs to be at least 480 mm.

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The depth of the foundation is established by taking into account the freezing point of the soil. It should not be any less than 390 mm for Moscow and the surrounding area.

However, the total load on the ground—which is determined by adding the loads from the building’s walls, ceilings, roof, payload, and snow load—also affects the depth of burial.

A unique regional map shows the snow load; the useful average is 180 kg/m2. A calculator is used to determine the load coming from the structure.

Next, make use of SNiP 2.02.01-83’s tables and standards to help you calculate accurately. A one-story house’s foundation is typically 1000 mm deep.

Construction stages

Marking the site strictly in accordance with the future foundation’s drawing is the first step in the construction process. Using pegs with string stretched over them, marking is done.

Earthworks come next. Trench width and depth should be 15-20 cm greater than base dimensions; this is needed for bedding, formwork installation, and cushion arrangement.

The third phase involves creating formwork. Polystyrene foam permanent formwork can be used to simplify the process, make the base warmer, and prevent freezing.

Following the installation of the formwork, a cushion of sand or crushed stone is poured into the trench and reinforcement is installed. Additionally:

  • pouring concrete,
  • its solidification,
  • dismantling removable formwork.

If permanent formwork was not used, the final step involves waterproofing and thermal insulation of the base.

Concrete strip for a brick gazebo with barbecue

Since the building in question cannot be classified as heavy, its foundation is a shallow strip foundation. As a result, its depth is 400 mm and its height does not surpass 600 mm.

Typically, the tape’s thickness is the same as the wall’s thickness. In this instance, intricate computations are not necessary because the gazebo is a lightweight garden structure.

Mistakes and mistakes

The primary error is relying on foundation parameters that are "like your neighbor’s" and utilizing average numbers instead of precise calculations.

You cannot construct a building without an accurate calculation, so if you are unable to determine the depth and width of the tape on your own, seek professional assistance.

The second error is to cut costs without sacrificing material quality. It causes the foundation’s qualities to deteriorate, which will have an impact on the dependability of the entire house.

Neglecting geological research comes in third. The bearing capacity of different types of soil varies greatly, and this directly affects the type and parameters of the foundation. Here, you really can’t go wrong.

Of course! For your article "Recommendations for the construction of a strip foundation for a brick house," here is a brief conclusion:

Building a strong foundation is essential for any building’s stability and longevity, but brick homes in particular. When planned and implemented correctly, a strip foundation offers a sturdy base that equally distributes the weight of the building throughout the ground. This kind of foundation works best in regions with stable soil conditions because it can bear the weight of a brick house without settling.

Planning is crucial when building a brick house’s strip foundation since it takes into account things like soil type, load bearing capacity, and local building codes. Determining the proper depth and width of the foundation is aided by carrying out a thorough site investigation and soil analysis. This preventive measure guarantees that the foundation will be able to support the building’s structural loads for the duration of its life.

A strong strip foundation can only be achieved by using appropriate construction methods. Preventing future problems like cracks or water infiltration requires employing high-quality concrete, adequate reinforcement, and efficient waterproofing techniques. Following these best practices reduces the need for long-term maintenance while also improving the structural integrity of the foundation.

Lastly, it is strongly advised to work with licensed experts or contractors who have experience building foundations. Their knowledge guarantees that the strip foundation for your brick home is constructed in compliance with regional and industry standards. By making an investment in a well-planned and built foundation, homeowners can feel secure in the knowledge that their brick home is supported by a strong and trustworthy foundation.

This conclusion summarizes the key considerations and recommendations for constructing a strip foundation tailored specifically for a brick house, emphasizing durability, stability, and adherence to best practices.

Video on the topic

Foundation for a brick house with an attic

Strip foundation for a one-story brick house a year later

Reinforcement and formwork for a strip foundation for a brick house

GOST and strip foundation for a brick house.

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Milan Yashina

Design engineer, specialist in development of design documentation. I will help you correctly design your home or other building.

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