Technology for attaching a column to a foundation

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A strong foundation is the first step in creating any kind of structure, be it a small cabin, a pergola, or even a porch. The correct attachment of columns to the foundation is a critical step in this process. This step guarantees that the structure above can endure different weather conditions and natural forces over time, in addition to supporting its weight.

There’s more to securely attaching columns than just setting them on top of the foundation. To guarantee structural integrity, exact execution and meticulous planning are needed. Depending on the kind of foundation and the structure’s load requirements, various techniques may be applied. Builders can guarantee the safety and durability of their constructions by being aware of the technology involved in attaching columns.

Selecting the proper materials and fasteners for the column and foundation material are important factors to take into account. To securely anchor columns made of concrete, steel, or wood, particular methods must be used. This article examines several attachment techniques, such as the use of specialty brackets and anchor bolts, and provides builders and do-it-yourselfers with useful advice.

In addition to improving structural stability, correctly fastened columns are essential to the construction project’s overall appearance and functionality. By offering detailed instructions and advice on how to establish a solid and long-lasting connection between columns and foundations, this article seeks to demystify the procedure.

This introduction sets the stage for discussing the detailed methods and considerations involved in attaching columns to a foundation, appealing to both professionals and amateurs looking to enhance their construction knowledge.

A crucial stage in building that guarantees load distribution and structural stability is attaching a column to a foundation. The process entails the selection of suitable materials and techniques, like base plates or anchor bolts, to ensure a secure connection between the column and the foundation. Adhesion to the proper specification and adherence to safety regulations is crucial because improper attachment leads to shifts and compromises the structure as a whole.

Base installation technology

Even in the design stage, they choose the base for the columns before beginning installation work. Uniform load distribution over the ground surface and structural dependability are guaranteed by carefully choosing foundation blocks.

Prefabricated foundation blocks or monolithic blocks are utilized, depending on the kind of supporting columns. They enable you to consistently fix the lower ends of the load-bearing columns in the desired position, despite the disparity in installation technology:

• Monolithic blocks are a solid structure with a recess in the center for the column.
• The prefabricated version of the blocks consists of a base plate and a column.

Installing foundation blocks involves multiple stages of work:

• Site preparation. After clearing the area of ​​debris, a pit is dug (separately for each block or a common one, limited by the border of the future building).
• Creation of a compacting sand and gravel cushion. The need for it exists only if the soil has a low density and its shrinkage is possible. The bottom layer is filled with crushed stone and compacted thoroughly. Sand is placed on top. It is moistened and compacted thoroughly.
• Marking the axes of foundation blocks. The axles are fixed by crossing stretched strings or thin wire. The axis points are transferred to the ground using a plumb line. Using pegs, mark the side contours, simultaneously checking the horizontality of the pillow. If necessary, make corrections.
• Installation of blocks. The foundation blocks are moved to the installation site and installed in accordance with the markings, after which the sling is dismantled.

The building’s axes are positioned on the upper edges of the foundation and columns after the geodetic markings have been fixed and the columns have begun to be mounted. The methods used to fasten metal columns and reinforced concrete to the foundation use slightly different technologies.

How to attach reinforced concrete supports?

Following the installation of reinforced concrete columns in designated slits in the foundation blocks, the resulting spaces are filled in with mortar or concrete.

The following are the stages of work:

1. The reinforced concrete structure is attached to the hook of the assembly crane so that when the boom is raised it stands vertically. Use special pin or friction grips.
2. After the column is delivered to the installation site and lowered into the foundation glass, the risks on the column and foundation are compared. Using a level, the correct position of the structure is verified, then temporary fastening is performed.
3. The remaining columns are installed in the same way.
4. Once again, carefully check the position of the columns. Vertical adjustment is made using special wedge liners.
5. They monolith the structure, making sure that the concrete fills the entire space between the foundation glass and the column. To do this, using a deep vibrator, concrete is pushed from each side.
6. Wait for the concrete to harden by 70%, after which the wedges are cut off.

The structure is subjected to a load once the cement mixture has fully set. It’s crucial to adhere closely to the installation technology. Even the smallest errors are not acceptable. They may result in detrimental effects that shorten the structure’s service life and weaken its strength characteristics.

How to attach metal supports?

The installation of metal columns is done on prefabricated or monolithic foundations that have the column axes marked on them. In order to align their location with the holes in the bases of the metal columns for the subsequent fastening of those columns, anchor bolts are installed beforehand on the foundations.

By tightening the nuts, the bolt threads are lubricated and examined. The structure is strengthened further by adding concrete mortar to it once installation is finished. Welding the column reinforcement is one more option for connecting elements.

The connection’s dependability is ensured by the column axes’ vertical orientation. There are three methods for securing metal columns to the base:

• on steel linings;
• foundation on the surface;
• on base plates.

On steel linings

The columns are installed on 4–5 cm thick steel pads that are positioned in between the column and the foundation. In this instance, the foundation is not raised to the project-specified level. The method’s drawbacks include its lack of accuracy and the possibility of material overconsumption (for extra pads) during the fitting process.

Precise steel linings are put in place ahead of time, even before the foundation is concreted (permissible error ±5 mm). Concrete is poured into the gap and bolts are used to fasten the column after it has been installed and aligned.

To the surface of the base

The foundation needs to be raised to the design levels using this method. Anchor bolts are used for fastening; no cement mixture is used. Preserving the precision of the foundation measurements is crucial (the surface deviation where the column is placed shouldn’t be more than 0.5 cm).

With a tolerance of +/- 5 mm, the foundation surface is brought to the design value. Milled soles are a must for columns.

On base plates

This approach is thought to be better and works well for installing large columns. Columns are rigidly fastened to the foundation with a high degree of accuracy. Pour concrete after the columns are installed.

When using this technique, the base plate’s bottom and the nut’s top surface must be flush due to the anchor bolts’ thread length.

The vertical position of the post is guaranteed by the precise placement of the nuts. Adjustments are made by twisting if needed. Cement mortar and washers are installed to secure the columns’ position after they are installed.

Columns are set up for installation on wooden floors close to the installation location, either parallel or angled to the row’s axis. The structures are moved to the installation site in a vertical position using an assembly crane. Pointing at the anchor bolts, carefully lower them; two theodolites are then used to align them.

Fastening devices are used to temporarily fasten columns. The supports are fastened with bolts or welding after final alignment.

Installation methods

Different design solutions can be used for different types of column fastening to the foundation. Specifically, two kinds of connections are used in various contexts:

1. Hard. Provides a tight connection between the element and the base. The element at the fulcrum point does not have the ability to move or rotate (as, for example, when embedding a reinforced concrete column into a deep foundation glass).
2. Articulated. With a hinged mount, the elements have a sufficient degree of freedom to rotate or move relative to the base under the influence of an external force (mounted with two bolts). Let"s consider in what cases hinged and in what cases rigid connections are chosen.

Articulated

• The fastening unit consists of a base plate on which the milled end of the column is installed. The embedding plate is pre-installed into the concrete foundation. This type of fastening is used for fastening half-timbered posts in the construction of small one-story buildings, where centrally compressed columns are used (longitudinal force is applied along the axis of the column, evenly distributed over the cross section).
• The base plate on which the column is mounted is secured to the foundation using anchor bolts. Additionally, the column is strengthened to the building frame. The last stage of fastening is poured concrete. This type of fastening is used for centrally compressed columns.
• The base plate is secured to the base of the foundation with two anchor bolts. The column is mounted on a metal plate and additionally reinforced to the frame. This increases the degree of stability. The last stage is pouring concrete to the design mark.

Hard

• The base plate is attached to the foundation with four anchor bolts. This design can be used for mounting the main columns of buildings, since the bolts reliably hold the column in a fixed position. Concrete pouring is used as the final stage of installation to increase strength. This type of fastening is suitable for compression-bending columns (working in compression with bending).
• The base plate is attached to the foundation with anchor bolts. Additionally, stiffening ribs are installed to regulate the thickness of the base plate. This type of connection is highly reliable and can therefore be used for load-bearing structures of a building. Type of columns – compressed-bending.
• Cross beam connection (vertical steel sheets for uniform load transfer), rigidly fastened with four bolts. Used for main columns, trestles, supports. A fastening unit of this type perceives both bending moment and transverse force. Suitable for compressed-bending columns.
• The support plate is reinforced with stiffeners and attached to the foundation with anchor bolts. The fastening unit is used for mounting the main columns, racks, overpasses. A very reliable type of fastening: easily withstands bending moment and shear force of any power. Suitable for compressed-bending columns.

Connection unit

A column base with a support plate, a crossbar, anchor bolts, and a centering device is the component that fastens the column to the foundation.

Installed on the foundation, the column base is centered. The lower portion of the centering gasket rests on the annular portion of the screw stop when the screw stop is inserted into its hole.

The column aligns with the centering device when it is lowered onto the foundation. When the upper end of the screw stop lines up with the gasket’s hole, the column base is lowered onto the centering device. With the help of a base plate and column base, secure the column in the intended location.

Materials for work

Class B15 (M200) or B22 concrete solutions work well for attaching columns to the foundation.5 (M300). These days, mortar repair and construction mixtures with superior fluidity qualities are highly sought after. After hardening, the compounds become one with the structural elements and securely fasten them because of their high strength and adhesion.

Chemical passivity is ensured by their lack of metals and chlorine salts, allowing them to be used in conjunction with metal parts. Water resistance and fire resistance are two more crucial qualities.

Here are a few different kinds of gravy mixes:

1. Starmex FM7 – non-shrink mixture. It hardens in a short time, forming one whole with the structure, is non-toxic, non-aggressive, does not react to temperature changes, is not afraid of exposure to water, oils, grease.
2. Manogard Fer 133 – forms a special protective layer on surfaces after application. Thanks to this, it can be used for metal columns, protecting them from rust.
3. REX Grout M – characterized by high strength and fluidity, has a high degree of alkalinity, due to which it protects elements from corrosion processes. Reliably fills all voids and fixes structural elements, since it expands at the plastic stage.
4. Mapefill – ensures high-precision fixation of columns in the foundation, high-quality monolithic joints of reinforced concrete structures. The material is completely ready for use and is a mixture of high-strength cement, sand and special expanding additives. Flows well, does not separate, non-toxic.

Every structure needs a secure column-to-foundation attachment to be stable and long-lasting. By making certain that the weight from the column is appropriately transferred to the foundation, it guards against long-term structural problems. Depending on the kind of foundation and the material of the column, different technologies are used for this process.

One popular technique for concrete foundations is to pour the concrete while anchor bolts or rods are embedded in it. These bolts, which extend upward, are used to fasten the column’s base plate. The column will stay securely in place thanks to the robust mechanical connection that this technique ensures.

As an alternative, it is frequently preferred to weld the base of a steel or metal column directly to a steel plate embedded in the concrete foundation. This welding procedure produces a seamless joint that can support heavy loads and maintain stability in a variety of scenarios.

Whichever technique is selected, it is imperative to guarantee that the column is positioned precisely on the foundation and that all connections are made in compliance with engineering requirements. This methodical process ensures structural stability and security by averting possible problems like column settling or movement over time.

Builders and homeowners alike can create structures that are not only functional but also long-lasting and secure for many years to come by knowing and using the technology for correctly attaching columns to foundations.

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