Foundations, their types, conditions of use. What kind of foundations are there for a private house - types, scope and characteristics

Any construction, the construction of a garage, a multi-story building, begins with laying the foundation on which the structure will stand. The choice of basis type is determined by various factors. These include what kind of structure will be built, the thickness and material from which the walls will be made. The number of floors, the soil and its characteristics, and the distance from the foundation to groundwater are essential. An important aspect is the amount of money available to builders. Every architect should know what types of foundations exist and the specifics of their use.

Since ancient times, people have noticed a certain feature, which is that buildings erected on a hard base are much more stable than similar structures erected on soft soil. Their service life increases. Depending on the natural conditions of each individual region of the globe, different peoples have developed their own special methods and technologies that they use in the construction of houses, the same applies to the creation of support points. In the process of evolution of building principles based on various mistakes, humanity has come to the conclusion that today there are several principles for constructing a basis for constructing a building.

These include:

1. Columnar;
2. Tape, which can be either solid or prefabricated;
3. Slab;
4. Pile foundation.

So, it is these four types of foundations that are popular among architects. There is no doubt that each individual type of basis has its own unique qualities, positive and negative sides. Now let's take a closer look at each type of basis for buildings.

Columnar foundation: types, application and design features

Suitable for lightweight structures that will be built from wood or have a lightweight frame structure. This assumes that the building will have no basement and the soil condition is very stable; in addition, the region where the structure will be erected has a temperate climate and does not foreshadow any natural disasters. The main advantage of this type of support over others is the significant low cost of its construction. Of course, this is understandable, because quite a bit of material is spent on its construction, and the costs for the builders who will make it are very insignificant. This type of foundation is used in the construction of wooden houses, and has been widely practiced in Rus' since ancient times.

Load-bearing floor beams are installed on piles driven into the ground, and then further structures are built on them. Columnar frame can be divided according to its design: wooden, iron, stone or brick. So, a base made of wooden piles is usually used in regions where the necessary raw materials, that is, wood, exist in large quantities.

Today, this type of basis is mainly used for building a house in the country, and this is due to the fact that the owner of the site wants to build a building with a minimum investment. Making wooden piles is not difficult and anyone can do it.

To do this you need to:

• dig special holes;
• insert wooden piles into them, best made from oak or pine, and their diameter should exceed 30 cm;
• turn the butt side down. For those who don't know, the butt is the lower part of the tree that was directly at its root.

To significantly increase the stability of the piles, I rest them against something solid, it can be a flat stone or a concrete screed. In this way, the area on which the pillar rests increases, which increases the reliability of the base.

There are several proven ways to do this.

1. Immerse the support in the cement solution, about 20 cm, and let it set.
2. Use cross-linked concrete tiles as the base; of course, you can also use wooden ones, but you need to protect them from moisture and fasten them together crosswise.
3. Use flat natural stone.

The number of piles is determined by the area that the building will occupy, and this also includes the mass of the future building. The dominant rule is to install “chairs” in the corner of the building and, of course, on load-bearing walls. The “chairs” themselves are covered with sand, which is compacted very well during the filling process. To increase the “life” of a pole, they must be treated with protective substances or simply with tar.

The main significant drawback of such a base is its fragility. Absolutely no attempts to preserve it for more than 5 - 10 years will help. The use of stone, iron, and brick will increase the operation of the building for several decades.

The stone pillars of the base are fastened together using rubble masonry, and it is necessary to use various bonds between the stones; broken stone or granite can play this role.

Brick pillars are laid in the usual way, but the builder must know that ordinary red brick or even silicate brick are not suitable for this, due to the fact that they are destroyed by moisture. You can use waterproofing to protect the foundation from faster destruction. As for the use of iron pillars, everything is clear here, the only thing that needs to be done is to paint them before laying them in the foundation of the building.

Strip foundation: types and design

The most common type of foundation for houses used in modern construction is a strip base.

Of course, we cannot talk about any standards, due to the fact that all parameters depend on the specific structure and the soil on which this structure will stand.

An undoubted advantage is the fact that such a foundation can be used as walls for a cellar or basement.

Several types of such bases are used:

1. Made;
2. Monolithic;
3. Rubble;
4. Panel.

The technologies by which they are built are different, but they have one thing in common: they lie in the pit, like a ribbon on the ground. It should be noted that this type of foundation for construction is suitable only for buildings not exceeding 12 floors in height; most often this type of foundation is used for the construction of private houses.

So, now let's move directly to the consideration of each individual type of this category.

The prefabricated foundation is based on reinforced concrete blocks that are connected to each other. Of course, each individual block is quite heavy, and special construction equipment is used when installing them in the pit. Before directly installing the block in the pit, the base is filled with cement mortar, creating a concrete “cushion”. The blocks are connected to each other by iron spacers and mortar, which is poured into special technological grooves.

After installing the first tier of the block, a brick belt is placed on top, which can still be reinforced, then the blocks are placed again. This dressing should be around the entire perimeter of the structure. It is unacceptable to use such a base in houses where the project includes a basement or ground floor, due to the fact that moisture will seep through the joints between the blocks, and waterproofing will be very expensive.

The monolithic type of strip foundation is completely poured from concrete mortar. The concrete solution consists of crushed stone, sand, cement and water. The most common formula is 1/3 cement to 2/3 sand. Before filling the trench, it must be compacted and the bottom lined with stone. The width of the foundation should be half wider than the thickness of the walls of the future building. The method of constructing such a foundation for a building is very simple; formwork is placed in a trench and fastened together. Reinforcement is inserted into it, which will increase the strength of the foundation and then gradually filled with mortar.

The rubble type of foundation is applicable for buildings not exceeding the height of 2 floors, therefore this type of foundation is often used for the construction of private houses. It is extremely simple to manufacture and is poured directly into the trench. During the pouring process, such a foundation is compacted and stone is added to it.

Recently, builders have often begun to use strip-type panel foundations. It is intended for wooden houses. The thickness of such panels is about 300 mm. This material is water-repellent, but it is impossible to build anything large-scale on it.

Slab foundation: features and scope of use

This type of house foundation is similar to the foundation described above, the difference is that the slab that will be laid in the trench is manufactured at the factory. They are delivered immediately before lowering into the pit. The trench is prepared in such a way that it is almost flat, the bottom is leveled with sand. There is no doubt that a slab foundation is the most reliable of the existing types of foundations; of course, it is capable of withstanding enormous loads, which is why it is often used in the construction of high-rise buildings. Its only significant drawback is that the possibility of building a cellar or basement underneath it is completely excluded.

Features of a pile foundation

Of course, this method of constructing a foundation is only possible on very solid soil.

There is another method when the piles are not driven into the ground, but are screwed like a drill into the ground. The peculiarity of this type of structure is that it cannot be made without special equipment.
Having become familiar with all types of supports for structures, you can easily determine what exactly is needed to build the structure that a person has in mind.

The foundation performs a very important function: it distributes the load of the structure and evenly transfers it to the ground, preventing uncontrolled shrinkage of the building and its destruction. A well-organized foundation is the key to the longevity of a structure.

The foundation can be created in an underground or underwater environment. It is designed in such a way as to carry not only the static load of the building, but also dynamic loads caused by weather phenomena (gusts of wind, water movement), people, equipment and vehicles.

The load of a structure can be distributed in different ways: using the natural foundation of the soil, creating floating structures, using driven piles, side supports or steel struts. Much depends on the soil on which the building is erected, the presence and depth of groundwater, the area of ​​the building and the functional purpose of the building.

What types of foundations are considered the most popular and are used in the construction of private houses?

Unlike production and industrial buildings, simpler types of foundations are used in the construction of residential buildings:

• tape;
• columnar;
• pile;
• slab

Choosing the right foundation is a task even more important and responsible than building the house itself

Strip foundation

This type of foundation is very popular for country houses and low-rise private houses. Structurally, it is a reinforced concrete strip that follows the perimeter of the building. Creating a strip foundation will require quite a lot of massive, labor-intensive work, as well as a large consumption of building material. But as a rule, individual buildings require the presence of basement utility rooms and garages, and for their implementation a strip type of foundation will be required.

Strip foundation device

The thickness of the reinforced concrete strip is determined depending on the thickness of the load-bearing walls, material and height of the building. The foundation strip is laid along the entire perimeter of the building and under each load-bearing wall. For better stability of the structure, the base can also be poured under the partitions.

The foundation is buried 20 cm below the freezing point of the soil. You should not go below 60–70 cm from the ground level of the planned development. On such a foundation it is possible to build brick, slag or expanded clay concrete houses, as well as block structures.

Installation of strip foundations may vary. There are several ways to arrange it:

• monolithic;
• made;
• shallow;
• fully recessed.

The most common type of foundation at the moment is the strip foundation.

Monolithic base

To accurately design the size of the trench, you need to know the characteristics of the soil, how deep the ground rivers are and the freezing point of the ground. You can order a foundation design project from a design and construction company in your city. If you are planning to build a multi-storey cottage or a private house, then it is better to entrust the calculation work to qualified specialists. You can calculate the base for a garage or bathhouse yourself.

The technology for constructing a monolithic strip foundation is that a trench is created along the contour of the future building. Its width depends on the thickness of the load-bearing walls (about 40–80 cm). The trench is dug a little wider so that the formwork can be installed. The bottom of the pit must be constantly checked and measured with a level.

The prepared trench is covered with a layer of river sand to properly distribute the foundation of the house. The sand layer is made in stages, filling each layer with water and compacting it until the width of the layer reaches 15 cm.

The strip monolithic foundation should be poured with concrete from:

• cement;
• coarse sand;
• gravel.

The proportion of these materials is 1:2:2.5 - the grade of such concrete is number 200. It is better to pour the base right away, since by carrying out the work in batches, you create a non-uniform pour.

It can be monolithic or prefabricated

Prefabricated base

The technology of prefabricated strip foundations consists of connecting factory blocks into a single base. It also requires a trench into which parts of the foundation are placed, which are then connected with wire, and the connecting seams are filled with cement.

To carry out such work, lifting machines must be brought to the site. Ready-made block foundation parts have high strength and durability: they last more than 150 years.

The disadvantage of this technology is the limited forms. You can lay a prefabricated foundation only for a house of the correct geometric shape: the size of the wall can be a multiple of the size of the factory block. It is not advisable to try to cut concrete blocks - it will cost you a lot and there is no guarantee that the size will be accurate.

Shallow base

A strip shallow foundation is a reinforced concrete strip installed on a sand cushion along the entire perimeter of the house. Such a foundation can be used in the construction of one-story houses. The depth of the foundation does not exceed 70 cm.

An important point in the implementation of such a foundation is the installation of a durable reinforced belt. In order for the load-bearing walls of the structure to have sufficient strength, the reinforced concrete armored belt must be closed and have no breaks along its entire length.

There are two options for strip foundations in terms of depth: shallow and recessed

In order for the foundation to remain reliable for a long time, a blind area of ​​about 50 cm should be created around the house. It will protect the perimeter of the house from rainwater and possible freezing.

Fully recessed base

A full-depth strip foundation is a more durable structure that can support a building of several floors. The base is installed 20–30 cm deeper than the ground freezing line. Fully buried foundations are not afraid of groundwater and are resistant to temperature changes.

The reinforced belt is made by knitting the frame with reinforcement. Such work greatly increases the cost of the structure, but a reinforced foundation reliably protects the building from cracks and is necessary on not too dense soils.

Columnar foundation

Such a foundation costs almost one and a half times less than a strip foundation. Such foundations are installed under lightweight or small buildings. A columnar foundation is suitable for a frame house, a cottage made of foam blocks or a wooden bathhouse.

The technology of its construction is to install pillars around the perimeter of the building and under the main walls. The pillars go into the ground deeper than the freezing point and rise to the required height. The fundamental supports are connected into a single structure, on top of which a grillage is built, distributing the load of the building evenly.

Columnar foundations are used in cases where the construction of a heavier strip foundation is impractical

The classic technology of a columnar base does not require a basement. In addition, the thermal insulation of the building is too weak - this should be taken into account when organizing the floor of the building.

For foundation pillars, depending on the type of building, its weight, and the quality of the soil on which the building is erected, several materials can be used:

• tree;
• asbestos or plastic;
• brick;
• reinforced concrete.

According to the degree of depth, such foundations are also divided into:

• fully buried (below the freezing point of the ground);
• shallow (40–70 cm);
• non-buried (there is no underground part; the structure is erected above the ground).

Pile foundation

On this basis it is possible to build not only domestic structures, but also industrial facilities and multi-storey buildings. The entire load is transferred to the ground through the piles. They can be buried over very long distances. This is especially true in areas where the top soil layer has a weak and incompressible composition (peat soils, marshy and sandy soils).

If the site has weak, easily compressible soil, then a pile foundation is installed

Pile foundations allow you to create very stable buildings. To carry out calculations for the foundation structure, the weight of the planned building is taken into account. This indicator is divided by the number of pile elements, and the rated load per pile is derived. It is driven into the ground with the load obtained during the design design. When the pile stops, it means that it has collided with a point in the ground that will support the weight of the building.

It is clear that it will be difficult to create such a load on driving foundation elements on your own; pneumatic equipment helps with this.

According to the method of lowering, types of pile foundations are divided into:

• driving;
• screw;
• bored

Driven piles are considered the most stable. In addition to the fact that this element determines the degree of depth for the desired level of load, the method of driving it promotes better compaction of the soil around it, which has a positive effect on even better stability of the foundation.

Outwardly they look like a huge self-tapping screw - it is a pipe with side blades. As the name implies, such elements are screwed into the ground. The screw design has an increased supporting area, so the pile is held stably in the ground. To lower it, you will need special equipment or the efforts of two people: the head of the pile has holes with which the element can be rotated.

A screw foundation is usually made of steel piles with a thread at the end; they are screwed into light soil

Bored piles are designed for already prepared wells. Such a foundation is easiest to do yourself, but when constructing it you cannot be sure that you have reached the most incompressible point of the soil.

For heavier structures, the pile foundation is supplemented with a grillage. This design has a single complete structure in which the load is distributed as evenly as possible. The foundation can be left without a grillage only if there is confidence that the piles are deep enough and the building will not change under the influence of frost heaving.

Tile foundation

This is the most common foundation today. A slab foundation is a monolithic floating structure that is not afraid of ground movements. With such a foundation, buildings can be erected on sandy, subsidence or heaving surfaces.

The technology for constructing a slab foundation is to create a solid or lattice structure with reinforcement weaves. It is installed on a drainage pad made of crushed stone and sand with waterproofing insulation. Concrete for such a foundation is suitable M15; it must also have frost resistance with a cycle of 75.

Depending on the composition of the soil, the slab foundation can be supplemented with reinforcing ribs.

Structurally, the base consists of:

A solid or slab foundation consists of slabs under the entire area of ​​the building

• drainage cushion;
• waterproofing;
• insulation;
• reinforcing mesh, which is poured with concrete.

How to choose the type of foundation

Each type of foundation has its own advantages and limitations. The main rule of a durable foundation is the uniform transfer of load from the building to the ground. Depending on the weight of the building, its functional purpose, soil quality and natural indicators, the type of foundation is selected.

We can highlight the main advantages of each type discussed in this article:

1. The strip base is a very reliable structure that requires a large amount of building material and physical strength. Only with strip foundations can a basement be realized. Suitable for small houses, private cottages. It is possible to erect buildings on heterogeneous soil.
2. Pillar foundations are suitable for almost all types of soil and can create buildings even on uneven surfaces. To build a house you do not have to level the landscape. The work to create it will not take much time. The cost of columnar foundations is much lower than strip or slab foundations. Limitations on the weight of the structure.
3. The pile-grillage foundation is the most stable and durable. Suitable for massive structures. Can be built on soils of any composition. Special driving equipment will be required.
4. Tiled foundations provide a monolithic structure under the entire surface of the house. It is not subject to local deformation. The cost of manufacturing and installation work is not too high. You can build the foundation entirely on your own.

To understand what kind of foundation your home needs, you must answer several questions: what kind of house will you build, what kind of soil is on the site and what financial budget do you have? Whatever type of foundation you choose, the main thing is to correctly calculate the load indicators. All foundations will ensure the reliability and stability of the structure, subject to high-quality execution with strict adherence to all working stages.

The construction of any building, be it a private cottage, a bathhouse or a garage, begins with laying the foundation. We’ll talk about what types of foundations there are in this article. We will also consider which type is more suitable for this or that structure and what else cannot be done without when laying the foundation.

What types of foundations are there and how to make the right choice?

The foundation is the underground part of the structure. Although it is not visible, it is this part that bears the main load during operation. The foundation has to withstand the weight of load-bearing walls, floors, and equipment located inside. It is not surprising that the “life” of the house directly depends on its strength and durability.

Choosing the right foundation is not an easy task. There are many different factors to take into account. Among them are the relief and type of soil, the level of groundwater, the depth of freezing and others. Also, when designing, it is important to take into account the weight of all elements, from building materials to furniture and equipment that will be used in the building. and their description - all this is presented below in the review.

Pile foundations

This option is perhaps one of the simplest and most inexpensive. Piles are suitable even for weak soils, since the load will be placed on denser and deeper layers. The bearing capacity of this type of foundation is quite high, and excavation work is not difficult. They are used mainly in private low-rise and high-rise construction.

They are different. The piles themselves can be positioned either vertically to the surface or at an angle. The degree of immersion in the ground also varies. What types of foundation piles are there? They can be wooden, metal or reinforced concrete. And according to the degree of arrangement - single, strip or in the form of whole ones. Everything depends on the number of floors, weight and dimensions of the future structure.

Strip foundations

This base is the most versatile of all. Strip foundations are used on all types of soil and for all types of buildings. Moreover, if the future building involves the construction of a basement or garage, experts recommend laying this particular type of foundation.

Strip foundations are built to different depths, depending on the weight of the load-bearing walls and the structure of the house itself. In this case, various materials are used: brick, or rubble concrete, which is popular today. Of course, when choosing, you need to take into account the type of soil, the level of groundwater and the potential danger of destruction of the foundation.

Columnar foundations

As the name implies, this is a base of pillars, which are located with a certain frequency in the corners and along the entire perimeter of the house. It is these pillars that subsequently bear the main load. Speaking about what types of foundations there are for construction in cold climates, most often the choice is in favor of columnar foundations - since they are not afraid of even deep freezing. Heaving soils are another reason to use this base.

Foundation pillars are made from different materials, including concrete and reinforced concrete, brick, natural stone, wood, rubble concrete and others. Their disadvantages include the risk of capsizing on soft soils.

Monolithic (slab) foundations

For areas with high groundwater levels, as well as weak soils, a monolithic slab is the optimal choice. The laying of such a foundation is carried out over the entire area of ​​the building, and for additional reliability it is strengthened with a reinforced concrete frame. That is, the base is located under the area of ​​the entire building. Such unity with the main structure ensures minimal likelihood of further subsidence and destruction of the building.

A slab foundation will be the best solution for construction in seismically active zones. Although this type is the most expensive and time-consuming to implement, the costs are worth it. In addition, no matter what types of monolithic foundations there are, their calculation and design is quite easy.

Shallow foundations

If the main goal when building a house is to save time and money, then this foundation is perfect. After all, their arrangement will be cheap and carried out quite quickly. Of course, they are unacceptable for multi-story and heavy structures, but for light structures they will be ideal. An additional advantage of shallow foundations is the ability to use them in cold climate zones, as well as areas where there is a high risk of soil heaving.

Every house has its own foundation!

When the type of soil and terrain have been decided, it’s time to decide what kind of building is supposed to be erected. After all, the number of floors, dimensions, and design characteristics also directly affect the type of foundation.

Wooden house construction, widespread in our country from time immemorial, is today again gaining its former popularity. Of course, wooden buildings also require a high-quality foundation. What kind of foundations there are for a wooden house depends, first of all, on the weight. After all, wooden buildings can be erected from timber or solid logs, be single- or multi-story, lined with heavy materials, etc. And yet, the main types of foundations for a private house made of wood are pile, columnar and shallow-buried strip foundations. They are inexpensive, easy to implement and suitable specifically for light buildings, such as wooden houses.

For small seasonal cottages, bathhouses and outbuildings made of wood, a columnar foundation will be the best choice. Be careful: choosing it will not allow you to arrange a basement in the house, so take this into account when designing.

A profitable foundation solution for a wooden building would be the use of bored piles. They are asbestos-cement pipes, the structure of which is reinforced using a reinforcement cage and concrete pouring. In this case, the pipes bear the main load from the operation of the house. When laying such a foundation, it is necessary to drill wells deeper than the soil freezing level, install the pipes themselves and the reinforcement cage, and then connect it all with concrete.

Bored-type foundations are economical and easy to implement; they can be used on weak types of soil without any problems. At the same time, it is permissible to build both one- and two-story wooden cottages on its basis.

As for heavy multi-storey buildings made of concrete, brick and reinforced concrete, strip foundations have proven themselves best here. During its construction, strong and reliable materials are used, mainly concrete and reinforced concrete, with a reinforcing frame. If a multi-story building is being built on heaving soil, it is better to use not prefabricated slabs, but a monolithic foundation that will protect the house from soil movement and freezing.

Reinforcement is an integral part of the foundation

Reinforcement is necessary for almost any foundation. It is also worth understanding better about its types, classes and varieties. After all, having carefully studied what types of foundations there are, you can identify the factors that influence the choice of reinforcement for a particular type.

In a professional environment, reinforcement can also be found under the names of reinforcing bars or rods, rods, or its purpose is to give greater rigidity and strength to the foundation. Reinforcement can be smooth or ribbed, hot or cold rolled, unstressed and prestressed. It all depends on the technology of its production, the type of profile and quality of materials, as well as the conditions of use in concrete.

Speaking about what types of foundation reinforcement there are, one cannot help but dwell on its mechanical properties, in other words, its classes.

Classes of reinforcement used for laying foundations

• A1 - reinforcement with a smooth (not ribbed) surface and high ductility. Indispensable in tension conditions. Its adhesion to concrete is low, so such reinforcement is not used as the main reinforcement when constructing a foundation. But it is well suited for fastening the main frame.
• A2 and A3 are the most common types for laying a strip base. This is a grooved reinforcement that can be found in both coils and rods. Provides good adhesion of the concrete base after pouring, has good resistance, high compression and tension characteristics.
• A4, A5, A6, varieties similar in their technical characteristics and profile diameter, but different in the grade of steel from which they are made. They are also very popular in laying foundations of various types.

Metal or fiberglass: what to choose?

Depending on the raw materials used in production, the reinforcement can be steel or polymer. If you have not yet decided which one to choose for your construction, carefully weigh the pros and cons of both types.

Steel reinforcement is strong and reliable, resistant to external influences and durable. It can withstand heavy deflection loads and is available in a wide range of diametral values ​​and any rod length. Disadvantages of this type include heavy weight and susceptibility to corrosion over time.

Fiberglass reinforcement does not have such disadvantages. With a similar diameter, it is four times lighter than metal, easy to transport and easily withstands moisture. Unlike steel, fiberglass does not conduct heat, so such reinforcement will eliminate the appearance of the notorious “cold bridges” and increase the thermal insulation characteristics of the entire structure. But it is not without its drawbacks, such as the inability to carry out welding and bending during the installation process.

Summing up

So, you know what kind of foundation there is for a house and what the reinforcement for it is. Now all that remains is to make the right choice based on specific conditions. You need to rely on available information about the soil and its characteristics, the depth of groundwater, the climatic conditions of the region, and so on.

Do not forget to take into account the material from which the building itself is built. For example, masonry and concrete buildings require greater depth and width, as well as a stronger foundation. Whereas when building a wooden house, you can get by with lower costs and reduce the labor intensity of the work. Consider the number of floors: even if the walls are as light and thin as possible, a two- or more-story house requires a more careful calculation of the foundation.

No matter what types of foundations there are or what choices you make, the foundation is still the strongest and most stable part of the building. Therefore, the minimum height of the foundation should be 20 cm. In practice, this figure ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter - depending on the above criteria. It is also recommended to increase the depth level when the load on the foundation increases.

We told you about what types of foundations there are. Comparison of types, advantages and disadvantages of each of them, scope of application - all this should serve as the basis for the right choice.

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If the foundation is chosen correctly, any structure will last long enough. Knowing the types of foundations for a private house and their distinctive features, it will be possible to choose a suitable option for a one- or two-story building. We invite you to get acquainted with the most common types, their advantages, selection criteria, as well as instructions for making your own device.

The construction of every private house begins with the foundation

The main purpose of any foundation is to take on the weight of the erected structure with subsequent transfer of the load to the soil mass located under the base. Therefore, it is very important to decide on the type of future foundation at the design stage. The choice is made taking into account the characteristics of the structure being built. The weight of the house is of particular importance.

The choice in favor of the pile type is made when building a private house on quicksand, sand, and loose soils. The special design of the base makes it possible to transfer significant loads to weak soil and makes it possible to build a private house with a lot of weight.

Piles can be:

• Pressed in. To deepen these supports into the ground, special hydraulic pumps are required;
• Printed. They are formed directly on the construction site. A well is pre-drilled into which concrete is poured;
• Hammering. Such supports are driven into the ground using a special hydraulic hammer. Driven structures are used when the structure is erected in an open area. If there are other buildings near the construction site, there is a high risk of them being damaged by the shock wave created;
• Screw. The most expensive option, allowing use on any soil. During installation, they are screwed into the soil.

Advice! If there are dilapidated buildings near the construction site, you should give preference to pressed or pressed supports.

The main disadvantage of a foundation on stilts for a private house is its high cost. Installation is often performed using specialized equipment.

If installing a pile screw foundation is absolutely not for you, we recommend using the services of professionals. For example, a company engaged in the construction and restoration of foundations on screw piles for country houses, bathhouses, piers, moorings and any structures that require a strong and durable foundation.

Related article:

It is quite possible for any more or less competent builder to make such a structure. Its advantages and disadvantages, features of installation and finishing - all this is discussed in our material.

Columnar foundation

The columnar base consists of pillars immersed in prepared wells or directly into the ground. From above, the individual supports are connected to each other using reinforced concrete beams. Can be used when constructing a structure on stable ground. It can be prefabricated or monolithic. The advantage of a columnar base is its affordable cost. Disadvantages include low strength and difficulty in constructing a basement or basement.

Advice! The columnar type is worth choosing if you are going to build a bathhouse or a small outbuilding.

Slab foundation

The slab base includes a reinforced concrete slab, 0.3 - 1 meter thick, laid to a certain depth on pre-poured concrete or a layer of sand. Additional reinforcement ensures sufficient strength characteristics.

This design allows you to evenly distribute the load. It is used in the construction of a private house on soft soil. However, due to the monolithic nature of this type, many people refuse to use it.

Attention! If a slab foundation will be poured for a private house of a large area, it is worth taking care of the presence of expansion joints that will prevent cracking of the foundation due to the resulting stresses.

The characteristics of the foundation can have a serious impact on the duration of operation and maintenance procedures of any structure. It is important to know how to choose a foundation for a house and what factors you should pay attention to. We invite you to get acquainted with the main ones.

Analysis of soil conditions at the site

A full assessment of the soil can only be made through appropriate geological research. Based on their results, the height of the fill layer can be determined, which should be removed before construction begins.

Considering that any soil swells in winter, measures should be taken in advance to uniformly raise the foundation. When building a private house on a site with difficult soil, you can prepare a sand cushion.

The depth depends on the depth of soil freezing: the denser it is or the more moisture it contains, the deeper the freezing will be. As a result, in an area with high groundwater, the foundation is poured to a greater depth or wider.

Attention! The anti-heaving sand and crushed stone cushion makes construction possible on any soil.

Analysis of hydrological conditions at the site

The hydrological conditions of the site determine the requirements for the depth of laying the foundation and the design features of the drainage system. If the site has an unfavorable hydrological regime, the construction of a private house will be difficult. Water trapped between soil particles will cause the soil to deform when it freezes, causing it to bulge upward. Heaving is observed on silty sands, loams and clay.

Calculation of the required foundation depth

The depth to which the laying will be made depends on the characteristics of the foundation on the site. With a high heaving index, the depth should be 0.5 - 1 m greater than the freezing depth. If the soil is not heaving, the base is poured to a depth of at least a meter.

What materials can be used to make a foundation for a private house?

The characteristics of the materials used to fill the foundation largely determine their advantages and disadvantages. The strip base can be:

• Reinforced concrete. It is characterized by accessibility and high load-bearing capacity. If the private house being built has heavy load-bearing walls, a reinforced concrete foundation will be the best choice. However, it will take some time to form the desired contour;
• Rubble concrete. Affordable option. When pouring the foundation, additional gravel, boulders, and broken bricks are added to the concrete. Able to withstand significant loads;
• Brick. Formed from clay bricks. It is built on dry soil. Relevant if pouring a monolithic type is impossible for some reason.
• From blocks or slabs, laid in a pre-prepared trench and connected to each other using concrete.

The columnar base is made from:

• Brick if a two-story private house is to be built from a similar material;
• Stone. The foundation can withstand the load of a heavy building;
• Tree. Used in the construction of lightweight structures;
• Reinforced concrete. Used in the construction of multi-story buildings.

The manufacture of a pile foundation can be done using various materials:

• Tree. Wooden piles are relevant for light buildings of small area. For their production, mainly pine is used, processed using special technology;
• Reinforced concrete. A suitable option for any private house, including those built using reinforced concrete;
• Metal. The base used when it is impossible to use reinforced concrete;
• Combinations of several types. It is assumed that concrete and metal will be used together when constructing a private house on difficult soil, for example, swampy soil.

What grades of concrete should be used when constructing a monolithic foundation?

The lower the strength of the solution, the cheaper it costs. However, you should not save on the device. When developing a foundation, a composition is selected whose characteristics will allow it to withstand the operational load. What brand of concrete is needed at a specific construction site can be found in the corresponding section of the project documentation.

For a strip foundation of a private house it will be the best option. It has sufficient strength. With its help, you can form the walls of the basement of a private house through which moisture does not penetrate well.

For a monolithic base, concrete with lower strength should be considered, since during operation such a base experiences a uniform load. For the pile type, it is worth choosing a more durable composition.

Related article:

Rules for waterproofing and insulating the foundation of a private house

It is not enough to simply fill the base, following certain rules. High-quality waterproofing and insulation of the foundation of a private house, carried out four weeks after completion of construction work, will prevent moisture from penetrating from the outside into the private house.

Waterproofing is carried out in various ways. The most popular option is the formation of a special film. Through it, condensate will be discharged outside, and moisture will not be able to penetrate inside. To eliminate the negative effects of moisture, the foundation of a private house should be removed in a timely manner. This can be done by installing a high-quality drainage system and performing drainage work.

Related article:

The composition and production features of the substance, its varieties, consumption per square meter, review of manufacturers, technology for waterproofing foundations with mastic - you will find in our publication.

Thermal insulation of the foundation of a private house, carried out during the construction phase, is most often done outside the building, since in this case it is possible to manage the internal space more rationally. To do this, permanent formwork is installed, to which insulation is attached: expanded clay, polystyrene foam or mineral wool. When choosing the appropriate option, the characteristics of the soil, the area where the private house is located and a number of additional factors are taken into account.

How to strengthen the foundation of a private house

If during the operation of the building the base shrinks or becomes deformed. In this case, it will be possible to strengthen the foundation of a private house by choosing one of the following methods:

• Installation of additional screw piles, which are located along the entire perimeter of the building at a distance of 1.5 - 2 m from the walls. Extension beams are used to connect the base and piles. If the structure is light, the old foundation can be replaced with new screw supports;

• Construction of a concrete frame. To do this, the foundation of a private house is completely excavated around the entire perimeter, permanent formwork made of sheet metal is installed, and concrete is poured. Quite often, this method is used to strengthen the foundation of a private house with your own hands;

• Use of bored piles. To do this, holes are drilled directly into the body of the base, followed by the development of a well to a certain depth, depending on the characteristics of the soil. A reinforced frame is installed in the cavity, then it is filled with concrete. After the solution has completely hardened, the bored piles and the old foundation work as a single unit, ensuring uniform distribution of the load and transferring it to the deep soil layers.

Attention! Before choosing the optimal method, it is worth carrying out engineering and geodetic surveys on the site, which will confirm or refute the need to strengthen the foundation.

Instructions for laying foundations for a private house

Those who decide to install the foundation for a private house on their own will definitely need detailed instructions describing the execution procedure. If available, you can see the list of necessary equipment and tools that will be required to complete the work.

DIY strip foundation: step-by-step instructions

For those who want to do it themselves, step-by-step instructions include the following steps:

Photo	Description of work
	Along the contour of the future private house and under the load-bearing walls, a trench of sufficient depth is dug, inside which permanent formwork is installed.
	To ensure sufficient strength, a reinforcing frame is installed
	Concrete of the selected grade is poured. Using a vibrator will ensure better concrete shrinkage.
	The solution is poured to the very top and left until completely dry.

DIY pile foundation

To install a pile foundation with your own hands, you must first mark the area. After this, the work is performed in the following sequence:

Photo	Description of work
	A sufficient number of piles and tools that may be required when performing the work are prepared.
	A piling machine is supplied to the work site.
	Piles are driven into the ground. Their spatial position is carefully controlled.

Article

In any construction, the first element that you should pay attention to is the foundation, and to properly carry out construction work you need to know the types of foundations, their classification and main features.

Why is a foundation needed at all? It acts as a kind of “adapter” that supports the entire structure and does not allow it to move or deform under the influence of various types of loads or atmospheric influences.

Today there are 11 types of different classifications of foundations, which will be discussed further.

Strip foundation

The technological feature of arranging this type is not complicated in itself, but it is quite labor-intensive and requires a lot of materials. Most often this type can be found in private housing construction.

The strip foundation itself is made in the form of a contour strip, which is carried out in places where the walls will be further arranged. This kind of tape is provided for all walls, excluding partitions.

Strip foundation device

To ensure the maximum level of strength, the foundation is laid to a depth of 50-70 centimeters. The thickness of the foundation is determined by the building materials, further load, and the thickness of the walls.

Shallow and recessed strip foundations.

Quite often, when constructing small buildings and structures, you can find a shallow strip foundation. However, this type can only be used if the soil is slightly heaving. Laying depth is 50-70 centimeters.

For buildings with heavier structural elements, a recessed strip foundation is used. Also, the decision to arrange this is made when designing an underground garage or basement

Columnar foundation

The design of such a foundation involves the provision of pillars in places of greatest load, which are usually the corners of the building or the intersection of walls.

When considering the device, it should be noted that this type of base is a kind of system of supports, the distances between which range from 1.5 to 2.5 meters.

When installing, you must first consider the issue of filling the space between the pillars. It can be filled with either sand or crushed stone. After which a layer of concrete is provided, and also, to protect the underground space, a fence is installed, which is a kind of wall that is laid between the pillars. For its construction, you can use the same material as for the construction of the pillars themselves.

In the case of heaving soil, it is necessary to provide a cushion up to 20 centimeters thick; it is made of sand. In this case, the pick-up is laid at a depth of 10-20 centimeters, so the total depth is up to 40 cm.

Application of a columnar foundation

Due to its cost-effectiveness and the absence of requirements for additional finishing and protective work, this type of foundation would be a good use in all areas of construction. However, it is used only in the construction of houses made of wood or frame-type structures. Also a big disadvantage is the categorical exclusion of underground communications (basements/garages, etc.). It should also be noted that using it in places where the soil is susceptible to heaving is strictly prohibited.

Monolithic foundation

Basically, foundations of this classification are used in the construction of small (light) structures. The main advantages are:

• No layout restrictions
• Possibility to equip without the use of specialized equipment.
• With any deformation of the soil, such a foundation adapts to its changes, which helps protect the building from destruction.

Types of monolithic foundations

The division into types of foundations of this type takes into account the structure, so among their varieties we can note solid, strip and columnar. Each type must be considered separately:

1. A monolithic strip foundation is determined by the creation of a continuous connected line, which in turn forms a kind of frame. This type is used in the case of the construction of small buildings, since although it provides good stability, it cannot withstand massive buildings. However, with a deep foundation, it is possible to build a stone house.
2. The second type is a columnar monolithic foundation, which involves the creation of a network of pillars connected by concrete or reinforced concrete.
3. And the last type is solid. In this case, the base is arranged to cover the entire area of ​​the building. Typically, such a solution is necessary when the soil is highly compressed.

Pile foundation

The next representative are pile foundations. This design is used quite often in regions with a large abundance of groundwater. The elements themselves represent a kind of spears, since in reality they are pillars with pointed ends.

Piles against groundwater

As already mentioned, piles are long pillars with sharp tips. It is thanks to them that they overcome weak soil and run into stronger ones. Typically, such structural elements are either screwed in or driven in. With proper installation, the load is evenly transferred to each of the supports, from where it in turn goes into the ground. Each support can withstand a weight of up to 5 tons inclusive.

For greater reliability, each of the piles is fastened together with beams.

It should be noted that the design has minor differences from a columnar foundation. At the same time, considering the characteristics, you can notice a significantly greater load-bearing capacity, as well as large dimensions.

A common area of ​​application is large-scale construction in areas of weakened soil or high groundwater levels.

Shallow foundation

As already mentioned regarding the strip type of such a foundation, it is used strictly for the construction of small wooden houses. It is quite rarely used in the case of stone construction, provided that their dimensions are up to 36 square meters (for example, in the case of building a bathhouse).

Basic aspects of laying

To create a good foundation that will meet all requirements and state standards, it is necessary to take into account some features of its laying:

1. It is advisable to carry out the work in the summer, and by the time the winter season arrives, the shallow foundation should not be left unloaded. In extreme cases, provision of temporary thermal insulation is necessary.
2. A waterproofing device is required. It is important to do it in 2 layers, the first as a starting treatment, i.e. not big, but the second finishing one is thicker.
3. Under no circumstances should laying begin on a frozen base.
4. It is allowed to install channels for water supply and sewerage, but there are certain standards, namely, the distance from the foundation for longitudinal arrangement should be at least 2.5 meters, and when installed across the foundation, the trench should not be wider than 90 centimeters.
5. Construction of small basements is allowed.

Slab foundation

This type is quite unique, since it involves laying a solid slab as the base of the building. Of course, it also implies large financial costs, since it requires a large amount of work to develop the soil, as well as a significant amount of building materials. The best area of ​​application is the construction of small houses, where this slab will act as a floor surface.

Application of slab foundation

In the construction industry it is found during the construction of small-sized houses. It should be noted that the use of such a foundation is allowed for any type of soil, regardless of its characteristics. Due to its unique structure, it is absolutely not susceptible to various types of soil shifts, and it is possible to build a building from any material, up to 2 floors.

Floating foundation

A floating foundation will be a good solution for construction on heaving, bulk or weak-bearing soils. Thanks to its simple design, it is as practical as possible, and the foundation remains fairly well protected.

Floating foundation device

The installation of this type of foundation is quite simple, but several variations can be distinguished, in the case of a standard arrangement or preparation for a light building.

Standard:

• A trench with a width of 50 and a depth of 70 centimeters is being constructed.
• One row of rubble concrete is being laid.
• Next, the reinforcement is installed in the trench.
• Then rubble concrete is used again.
• Lastly, the plinth is added.

After installation is completed, it takes time until it hardens completely; you need to leave the foundation in a wet state for a week, and then in a dry state for several days.

When constructing lighter buildings, the design may change slightly:

1. A trench 0.6 m deep is being prepared
2. Next, backfilling is carried out with crushed stone and sand 10 and 50 centimeters, respectively.
3. After shrinkage, platforms are built at ground level, after which brick columns are made on them.
4. The top is covered with roofing felt and boards.

Screw foundation

Screw foundations are becoming more and more common in modern construction, but it is impossible to lose sight of its advantages. Of course, initially the purpose of screw piles was completely different, namely they served as supports for the installation of high-voltage power lines, as well as in the construction of bridges. But the industry is moving forward and you can increasingly see screw foundations in the private housing construction industry. Especially during suburban construction, sometimes they are even irreplaceable.

Construction technology

First you need to understand what a screw pile is. Its design is quite simple. If ordinary piles have a sharp end, then in the case of a screw pile, a metal blade is welded on instead. In any construction where such technology is used, such a pile is screwed into the ground at least one and a half meters.

Screwing is carried out until the unstable soil is completely traversed, after which each of the piles is cut and leveled to the required level at which the building will subsequently stand.

Next, concreting is carried out until the cut, and the top is covered with protective compounds. It should be noted that such a pile has a significantly greater load-bearing capacity than a conventional one. This is due to the compaction of the soil underneath due to the area of ​​the blade.

Advantages

The screw foundation is gaining popularity every day, and thanks to the emergence of new models of piles, it can even compete with other types even under standard operating conditions, and if we talk about using the structure in difficult terrain or soft soil, then there are quite large advantages:

• Does not require soil development.
• The construction process can be carried out in any conditions, both climatic and dislocation.
• And to a building installed on such a foundation, an extension or other new structures can be built without any problems.
• The arrangement is carried out in the shortest possible time.
• Possible laying for several days.

Conclusion

In this way, everyone learned about the types of foundation, made conclusions for themselves and understood the structure, classification, and most importantly learned the features of each type of foundation, which will help in the future not to make a mistake when choosing.