In the absence of a sturdy foundation, any building would inevitably fall. This is why very long-lasting materials should be utilized for the foundation. One of the reasons is to provide support for the building. Foundations must resist various environmental stresses, including dampness and pesky rodents. Soil saturation and the lateral pressures acting on it threaten foundation materials.
We need to examine the foundation more closely before describing the many kinds of foundation materials. The foundation, the base of a building, is responsible for distributing the building’s weight from higher levels to the ground below.
The foundation levels the ground for the bottom story’s construction and stabilizes the whole structure from the side. It also guarantees an equal distribution of loads. Finally, the foundation eliminates the issue of soil scouring and stops the soil movement impact.
Shallow Foundations
The foundation of this structure is lower to the ground. Since they aren’t as deep, the foundation must be very broad to provide stability. The time and money saved by using shallow foundations is substantial. Consequently, smaller buildings are where they are most often used.
Shallow foundations come in several forms:
- Individual Footing
- Strip Footing
- Combined Footing
- Raft Foundation
Deep Foundations
A building’s weight is transferred to the soil by means of deep foundations, as the term implies. They are sturdy and capable of bearing more weight. The ability to construct skyscrapers and other tall buildings relies on their deep foundations.
A pile foundation is one common kind of deep foundation. Its structural support comes from beams that link concrete-filled tubes to one another. Each of these tubes bears an equal share of the strain.
Foundation Materials
Wood
Wood may not be the strongest material, but it can become a powerful foundation with the right care. Additionally, when contrasted with concrete, it is the most economical choice.
Wood becomes strong and decay-resistant after being pressure-treated and covered with various chemicals. Chemical treatment also makes wood resistant to termites and rats, a major plus.
Stone
Before World War I, stone was a popular choice for foundations. This is why they like congregating in places with a lot of history. However, low piers and curtain walls still rely on stones since they are robust, long-lasting, and affordable. Termites and other pests are kept at bay, and water is kept at bay when stones are set with mortar.
Concrete
Concrete is king when it comes to building foundations. Strong in compression and long-lasting, it is robust. In addition to being waterproof, it is moisture resistant.
The greatest advantage of concrete, however, is that it can be easily molded into any form, which streamlines the process of building foundations. For instance, a shallow trench and little formwork would be required to construct a concrete curtain wall. Concrete foundations are often costly because of the high cost of cement.
One drawback of using concrete blocks is how difficult it is to waterproof them. This material does not provide enough weather resistance for walls compared to poured concrete.
Aggregates
When you make concrete, you’ll need aggregates. More specifically, their total composition in a concrete mix ranges from sixty percent to eighty percent. They provide the concrete, its bulk, and its strength to withstand the weather and high loads.
Superior aggregates are necessary for producing top-notch concrete. They must not only be clean but also powerful and chemical-free. This prevents the final product from being negatively affected by excess absorbed substances or contaminants. Slag, sand, broken stone, gravel, and other similar elements may make up aggregates.
Sand
Concrete uses sand as a filler because it seals the spaces between the particles. Therefore, it is a major component that influences the texture and strength of concrete. One of the greatest foundation components is sand; without it, the finished product is weak and hard to pour.
Brick
The widespread use of brick foundations is not without merit. Brick is long-lasting, and if keeping warm is a top priority, it’s the material to use. For instance, houses built on brick foundations will have warmer basements during the winter and cooler ones during the summer.
Still, there’s a catch. Brick foundations are less expensive than concrete ones but take longer to build and might cost more in the long run. The brick foundation wall will also increase the interior square footage of the home due to the stacking of bricks used to construct it.
Steel
The most prevalent use for treated steel, which is rust-free and stainless, is as a reinforcing element in foundation building. Typically, it is used with rods that are either parallel or perpendicular to one another. Steel is among the finest and most affordable foundation materials because of its strength, durability, and resistance to natural calamities.
Technology Use in Foundations
Self Leveling Concrete
It is now feasible to pour a mixture that flows almost like water while maintaining its structural integrity, thanks to a novel chemical known as a “super-super” plasticizer. (Typically, a wall becomes weaker when the concrete is too thin because the aggregate sinks to the bottom before it cures.)
The whole building foundations may be poured from a single corner. It just seems to be able to spread.” Avoiding the hassle of pumping or shoveling concrete to its designated spots is a major plus. A suitable place to start framing is on the surface of the “super-super” plasticized concrete, which, like water on a lake, immediately levels off.
Footing with Fabric
Some foundation contractors are opting for featherweight forms constructed from high-density polyethylene fabric instead of the time-consuming process of constructing footing forms from wood. The fabric remains in place as a built-in damp-proofing barrier, and the systems’ flexibility makes them ideal for locations with a lot of slope or unevenness, making excavation much easier. Additionally, water is redirected beyond the foundation by the protruding edges of the completed footings.
Eco-Friendly Foundation Materials
The homeowner is now officially ready to break ground, an exciting moment for anybody constructing a sustainable house from the ground up since they have chosen the materials for the foundation. Here are three environmentally responsible solutions to consider if you’re deciding how to lay a foundation.
Slab of Concrete
When it comes to constructing strong communities, concrete is the material of choice for a reason. To begin, no matter the temperature, concrete remains the most durable material, even in places often hit by severe weather or natural catastrophes. Additionally, it is fireproof, won’t compress when exposed to soil, and won’t deteriorate, distort, or droop, even when damp.
Consider how long houses built with concrete have been around to understand how long-lasting concrete is. For a material with such a long lifespan (40 percent of American houses are over 50 years old), concrete leaves a little imprint on the environment. Additionally, it may be reused and recycled at the end of its life cycle. Pumped concrete, instead of concrete poured down a chute, improves the foundation’s resilience and lifetime by reducing the likelihood of cracks and shrinkage.
If you are a homeowner planning to build a prefabricated house, concrete is the most secure alternative for the foundation. This is another environmentally friendly option for homeowners who want a greenhouse from the ground up; it is constructed off-site in climate-controlled factories and brought to the property in pieces.
Shallow Foundation Frost-Protected
Imagine you’re constructing a house in an area with unprecedented yearly snowfall. A shallow foundation sheltered from frost could be the best option for you. Shorter (16-inch) foundation depths are possible with frost-protected shallow foundations, which use foam insulation to raise the frost depth. In the last forty years, more than a million residents in Scandinavian nations have used this alternative foundation.
When estimating the severity of winter weather conditions in a given area, builders often look to the air-freezing index (AFI). The Annual Freeze Index (AFI) provides a foundation depth estimate based on the number of days with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit during 11 years.
For lots with mild to moderate slopes, frost-protected shallow foundations work well. An additional $8,000 to $10,000 in savings compared to traditional slabs can be yours for homeowners who choose frost-protected shallow foundations. However, more recent insulating concrete forms (ICF) could provide better durability and efficiency in energy use.
ICF (Insulated Concrete Form)
For example, the unfinished portion of a basement may work as a laundry room in addition to storage or extra living space. Extra space for living, such as a family area or spare suite with bedrooms, complete bathrooms, and a kitchenette—made possible by other basement additions—makes comfort and energy conservation paramount.
Building homes on ICF foundations has existed since WWII, but the material’s appeal as a green building option has only increased with time. With concrete, homeowners may enjoy its exceptional durability, resistance to disasters, rot, dampness, and more. Plus, concrete offers enhanced insulation and noise-blocking capabilities.
Although some builders may choose hollow blocks rather than foam paneling, engineering an ICF foundation requires putting concrete among stacked or linked foam panels. For homeowners concerned about the environment, there are also greener composites.
The capacity to reduce energy expenses by half is another advantage that can convince homeowners to choose an ICF foundation. When utilized in conjunction with other building materials, ICF may reduce outside noise by a factor of two compared to more traditional frame methods.
Ready to make your decision? FoundationMD is the expert you need to consult before deciding on your foundation materials. No job is small or too big for us. We know our foundations and more and can guide you throughout the process and even in repairs and more! Contact us for more information.
