Step-by-step instructions for building a columnar foundation from plastic pipes with your own hands

Would you like to lay a solid foundation for your building project? Using plastic pipes to build a columnar foundation can be a workable and economical solution. For lightweight structures like sheds, greenhouses, or tiny cabins, this technique is especially helpful. These detailed instructions will help you build a strong foundation that will sustain your structure for many years to come.

To begin constructing a columnar foundation, collect all required supplies and equipment. You’ll need concrete mix, gravel or crushed stone for filling, PVC or HDPE pipes of the right diameter and length, a shovel for digging, a spirit level to ensure accuracy, and a tape measure for exact measurements.

Mark the spaces where each column will be positioned first. Outline the positions with the tape measure and stakes. Make sure the distance between columns is uniform and equal to the base’s measurements. This plan will guarantee consistent support and direct the excavation process.

Next, start excavating at each designated spot. The frost line considerations and local building codes should be followed when determining the hole’s depth. A minimum depth of two feet (60 cm) is generally advised in order to firmly anchor the foundation. To make sure the holes are uniform and to periodically check the depth, use a spirit level.

It’s time to get the pipes ready after the holes have been dug to the necessary depth. Make sure the PVC or HDPE pipes reach from the bottom of the hole to a little above ground level by cutting them to the appropriate length. By doing this, the foundation’s stability and protection from wet soil are guaranteed. Making sure all of the pipes are perfectly straight, insert each one vertically into the corresponding hole using a spirit level.

After the pipes are installed, start adding gravel or crushed stone to each hole surrounding them. In addition to offering superior drainage, this material aids in stabilizing the pipes inside the holes. As you fill each hole, use a shovel to compact the gravel to create a solid foundation base.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, prepare the concrete mix after the gravel has been installed. Make sure the concrete completely encircles the pipe by carefully pouring it into each hole. Check that the pipes stay upright while pouring by using the spirit level once more. Before proceeding with your construction project, give the concrete the time it needs to set and cure.

Using plastic pipes to construct a columnar foundation is a simple and long-lasting way to address a variety of building requirements. You can build a sturdy base that effectively supports your structure and endures over time by following these steps. This method offers a dependable and affordable foundation option, whether you’re building a greenhouse, a small workshop, or a garden shed.

Concept, design features

PVC pipes that are buried and filled with concrete serve as the foundation for this kind of structure. The posts are positioned 1.5 meters below the freezing line in a pre-drilled hole in the earth. All directions of the structure’s loads are applied to the supports.

In what cases is it used?

A foundation consisting of pipes with a specific gravity of no more than 1 t/sq.m. can support the construction of homes. These specifications apply to one-story structures composed of foam, cinder, or wood, supported by a frame.

In general, wooden and frame homes are quite light. They are firmly supported by plastic pillars filled with concrete and have the capacity to support two stories.

Developers who build in low-lying areas with high ground flows and abundant melt and precipitation are aided by plastic.

High humidity causes some materials to break down more quickly or to become deformed. Moisture does not damage plastic pipes meant to be installed outside sewers.

In this instance, concrete pillars are permanently formed using PVC pipes as formwork. They are not very strong on their own, but when filled with reinforced concrete, they can be used as building foundations.

Plastic pipe supports are not suitable for supporting heavy-duty building materials when building houses. Sturdy buildings need a stronger foundation, such as a monolithic or strip foundation. Use of them in extreme frost conditions, where winter temperatures can fall below twenty degrees, is not recommended.

Requirements for pipes

It is necessary to install pipes for external sewage laying in the foundation. They come in orange or brown, and their improved qualities are as follows:

• strength,
• durability,
• wear resistance,
• resistance to external influences.

Gray or white PVC pipes, on the other hand, are meant for indoor use. They won’t last very long in environments with higher mechanical loads, ongoing moisture exposure, and fluctuating temperatures. When setting up the foundation, it is preferable to avoid using them.

Pros and cons of foundation foundation

Advantages:

1. Low cost. Of all the materials that can serve as permanent, durable formwork, plastic is the most economical.
2. Convenience. The pipe already has the desired shape and required diameter, so its use does not involve large labor costs.
3. Light weight. PVC pipes are easy to install. In addition, they do not create additional pressure on the ground.
4. PVC is not exposed to the negative effects of moisture and pests.
5. Resistance to temperature changes and corrosion processes.

Minuses:

1. If the temperature drops too much, the plastic may crack.
2. Despite all its technical characteristics, plastic is less durable than stone. It can last a maximum of 85 years.

We’ll walk you through the simple steps of building a columnar foundation out of plastic pipes in this article. This do-it-yourself project is intended for homeowners who want to improve the stability and longevity of their house without having a lot of building experience. You will be guided through the process of material selection and preparation, foundation setting and excavation, pipe assembly and security, and leveling for best outcomes. You’ll be able to confidently build a solid foundation that efficiently and economically satisfies your building needs with our step-by-step instructions and helpful advice.

How to build it yourself?

The technology involved in using pipes is fairly basic. If preferred, each step of installing the concrete-plastic supports can be completed on its own.

Tools and materials

You must set up the tool before you begin. You’ll require:

• Bulgarian;
• hammer;
• cord;
• container for mixing the solution;
• pencil;
• level;
• roulette;
• manual or electric drill;
• concrete mixer or hand mixer;
• Master OK;
• shovel.

The required supplies are:

• external sewer pipes with a diameter of 110-180 cm;
• cement grade from M300 and higher;
• pegs for marking;
• small crushed stone;
• fittings approximately 50 cm longer than the pipes used, with a calculation of 3 pieces per column;
• wire.

Permissible pole load

Diameter, mm	Load, tons, for sandy and clayey soils with depth
0.5 m		1m		1.5 m
sandy	clay	sandy	clay	sandy	clay
110	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.2		0.3
250	0.8	1.2	1	1.4	1.2		1.7
315	1.4	1.9	1.6	2.3	1.9		2.7
400	2.2	3.1	2.7	3.7	3.1		4.3
600	5.1	7.8	6.1	9.3	7.9		10.9

The table shows the maximum load that can be used with various diameter plastic pipes while accounting for the type of soil.

Calculations

Using the table in SP 22 standards.13330.2016, you must first determine the type of soil present on the site and ascertain its coefficient of resistance to pressure. Next, the building’s total weight under operational conditions is determined, accounting for people, furniture, and household appliances.

Next, with a stitch step of no more than 2.5 meters, it determines the minimal number of pillars needed to provide support at each angle and wall intersection.

The computation is done using the following formula: s = 1.4 x p/ro, where:

• S – the total area of ​​the section of all the posts of the structure,
• P is the total mass of the building,
• RO – soil resistance,
• 1.4 – strength of strength.

As an illustration, suppose that the site’s soil is gravel with clay, in which case Ro = 4.0. Additionally, the building has a total mass of 32000. We compute in this manner: The total cross-section of all the pillars is 32000/4=8000. In the event that preliminary calculations reveal the need for ten pillars to be installed, each pillar’s cross-section should equal 800.

Looking for the diameter of the cross-section. D=2√S/, an online calculator, is used to do this.

It turns out that 310 cm is the proper diameter for one pipe. However, the largest diameter of pipes that can be used is 180 cm. This implies that, using a 155 cm diameter as a starting point, we must double the number of pillars.

Preparation

Pegs and a cord are needed to mark the location of the future foundation. Marking the location of the pillar drilling holes as well as the exterior and interior borders of the enclosing walls is required.

Drilling machines or hand drills are used for excavation. The depth must be 25 centimeters deeper than the pipe’s length. The pipe’s width plus seven centimeters is the width of the pit.

The bottom of the pit needs to have a cushion made of crushed stone and sand that has been well-compacted. You can quickly combine crushed stone and sand, then place a pillow at least 20 cm high. Another choice is to fill in layers by layers. Using it, you first add 10 cm of crushed stone, then top that with 15 cm of sand.

Installation technology

How to lay the foundation:

1. Pipe installation. The pipe must be immersed in the hole so that its upper part coincides with the markings indicating the level of the grillage. If the pipe protrudes above the level, it needs to be sawed off.
2. Pipe concreting. Concrete should be poured slowly, in portions, allowing the mixture to spread evenly and completely fill the pipe cavity. The mixture must be compacted using a metal rod or vibrator. Gradually fill the pipe to the top.
3. Final stage. When the pipe is full, it should be compacted, and a pin should be installed on top for mounting a wooden grillage. Leave the pillar until the concrete has completely hardened, and proceed to the construction of the next one.

Drilling and filling each pillar one at a time is required to keep soil from dropping to the bottom of the hole. Drilling the hole for the next pillar cannot begin until the previous one is complete.

Possible errors during construction and ways to correct them

The pipes are supported firmly at their level by a premium cushion that is positioned underneath them. In addition, it is advisable to place a stone platform underneath the cushion when working with especially mobile and loose soils. The pillars might start to collapse if this is not done.

In these situations, a tunnel is dug beneath their base, and a strip support is subsequently constructed. Alternatively, they raise the pillars to the necessary height before reinforcing them.

The process of deformation and wall destruction will start if the number and diameter of supports are calculated incorrectly, making the foundation unable to support the building as intended. Under such circumstances, each support must be undermined and reconstructed.

This page contains a wealth of significant and practical knowledge regarding columnar foundations.

Video on the topic of the article

In the video, a columnar foundation is constructed using plastic pipes.

Using plastic pipes to build a columnar foundation is a useful and affordable option for a variety of building projects. This technique provides stability and durability without the complexity of traditional concrete foundations, whether you’re building a small shed or a garden structure.

Gather the following supplies before you start: strong plastic pipes, crushed stone or gravel, a level, and some simple tools like a shovel and measuring tape. To ensure that the foundation is supported equally, make sure the location you have chosen is free of clutter and level.

To begin, dig holes at predetermined locations, making sure the holes are deep enough to hold the pipes’ length plus extra room for stone or gravel. Make sure the pipes are properly aligned and firmly fixed in the ground before inserting them vertically into the holes.

After that, add gravel or crushed stone to each pipe to improve drainage and stability. To stop the material from shifting over time, firmly pack the area around the pipes. Before continuing, use a level to make sure every pipe is perfectly upright.

Fill the holes with dirt and compact it tightly around the pipes to further anchor them in place after all of the pipes have been filled and leveled. This step strengthens the foundation’s stability and gets it ready to support the weight of the structure you have in mind.

Lastly, give the foundation a few days to settle before starting any building on top of it. During this time, the soil can naturally compact and adjust around the pipes, providing a strong foundation for your project.

You can use plastic pipes to build a sturdy columnar foundation that meets your building requirements by following these simple steps. This technique is perfect for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers because it not only saves time and money but also provides a sustainable substitute for conventional concrete solutions.

Video on the topic

We build a small frame house on stilts with our own hands (Part 5). Reinforcement of a columnar foundation