Concrete preparation for the foundation – we make the base more reliable

The foundation is essential to the construction of anything that will last a lifetime. Consider it the foundation of your whole building. It’s not only a technicality to properly prepare the concrete for your foundation; stability and durability depend on it. Whether you’re building a new home, a garage, or anything else, a solid foundation is essential to preventing issues down the road.

There’s more to preparing concrete for the foundation than just combining the ingredients. It’s about making sure the mixture is applied in the appropriate conditions and at the proper proportion. Your foundation’s performance depends on a number of variables, including the climate, the quality of the soil, and the curing period. You can prevent cracks, shifts, and other problems that can jeopardize the structural integrity of your building by taking these into consideration.

This post will explain how to prepare concrete for your foundation and provide helpful advice on how to create a base that is as dependable as possible. We’ll walk you through every step of the process, from choosing the best mix to using the right application methods, so you can build with confidence. With a strong foundation, your structure will have a stable base, allowing you to concentrate on the exciting aspects of your project.

Relevance of the device for preparation under the foundation

It is important to note right away that sub-concrete devices are not always necessary. It is best to set up a protective barrier in case the foundation is to be poured rather than built using pre-made blocks. For strip or slab foundations, concrete sub-base is typically laid, but there are always potential exceptions.

What does the subterranean concrete preparation device provide?

• Prevents rapid loss of moisture from the mass of concrete of the foundation itself, which affects the strength of the structure.
• Reduces and distributes the pressure force of heaving soils over the entire area of ​​the foundation.
• Significantly simplifies the device of the reinforcing frame.

These benefits make it evident when and why the required preparation device under the building’s foundation is necessary.

When building on complex moving soils, the preparation device beneath the foundation is especially important.

Types of preparatory measures

Currently, there are three methods for getting a building site ready for the installation of a sturdy monolithic foundation:

• backfilling with crushed stone;
• pouring lean concrete;
• laying profile membranes.

Every technique has benefits and drawbacks of its own. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Backfilling with crushed stone

The most economical of all the above is the crushed stone preparation device located beneath the base. This kind of preparation is typically done for a foundation on pile grillages or when a monolithic slab is intended. Crushed stone with small to medium fractions is used for preparation; backfill thickness varies between 15 and 20 cm, depending on soil type and leveling requirements.

The following is the preparation procedure:

1. crushed stone of the required layer thickness is poured onto the bottom of the trench or pit;
2. after backfilling, the crushed stone is tamped;
3. after tamping and leveling, the layer is filled with bitumen.

Be aware that this preparation does not offer enough rigidity, so small utility rooms are typically constructed using it.

Laying a profile membrane

The most advanced kind of apparatus for foundation preparation. A profile membrane is essentially a stiffener-reinforced polyethylene plate. Previously, this kind of work was done with regular roofing felt. The foundation’s simultaneous waterproofing is the unquestionable benefit of this soil strengthening technique.

Process technology

Although laying the membrane is a fairly straightforward process, further preparation is needed.

Guidelines for installing profile sheets:

1. Fine or medium-sized crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the pit or trench. The thickness of the backfill is no more than 10 cm. This procedure neutralizes the effect of capillary moisture of the soil on the base.
2. A leveling fill is made with cement paste. After setting, the surface is treated with a primer.
3. The slab is treated with bitumen mastic, which acts as glue for the membrane.
4. Profile sheets are laid with an overlap, the edges of the protrusions should be directed upwards.
5. The joints are glued.

The surface of the preparation beneath the base is covered with geotextile once the membrane laying is finished. This greatly strengthens the foundation and lengthens the building’s overall service life by creating a network of tiny drainage channels between the soil and the foundation of the house.

Pouring with lean concrete

The cost of preparing the concrete for the foundation is positioned in the middle of the previous ones. In addition, the concrete base has a far stronger strength than the crushed stone cushion.

The soil does not sink after lean concrete is poured, and the structure is fastened as firmly as feasible. According to SNiP, the concrete preparation thickness for the foundation varies between 15 and 30 cm.

The following criteria are used to determine this indicator:

• soil type,
• groundwater level,
• mass of the building being erected.

The standard components of the concrete base solution are different from commercial concrete in terms of their proportions.

Lean concrete is a mixture of sand and crushed stone aggregates with 6% cement grade M100 and strength B15. The mixture hydrates quickly because of the composition’s specificity and low component count.

The following is the recipe for the 1 m3 of sub-concrete:

If it is necessary to increase the frost resistance or water resistance of the layer, additives and plasticizers are added to the composition. The preparation time of the solution should be no more than 5 minutes.

Note: Preparing the concrete beneath the foundation slab will greatly simplify the technological process of installing the reinforcing frame if the work is scheduled to be completed during the winter.

The image displays a diagram illustrating the maximum foundation cake set for a monolithic slab following the installation of a sub-concrete

Calculation of cement mortar

The process of making a sub-concrete

Following the completion of marking the designated area for the sub-concrete protective layer device for the foundation device, the following steps are taken:

• A pit or trench is dug, depending on what type of foundation is planned for the device.
• Crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the prepared pit, after which the layer is compacted. The average thickness of the crushed stone layer is about 10 cm.
• Formwork panels are installed. The height of the panels should be at the level of the planned pouring layer, this will simplify the leveling process and allow the reinforcing frame to be correctly placed.

• Horizontal reinforcement is laid. Usually, steel rods of a periodic profile with a diameter of 8 mm are used. The process can be simplified by using special cards of construction reinforcing mesh.
• Vertical reinforcement rods are installed, protruding beyond the edge of the formwork by 20 – 30 cm. These rods will allow the concrete sub-base to be connected to the foundation of the building. Sometimes vertical rods are installed in poured and compacted concrete.
• The composition for pouring is mixed. Cement binder used for mixing the solution — cement grade M50 and higher.
• The finished solution is poured into the formwork and compacted using mechanical vibrators.

The concrete sub-base is then left undisturbed until it has fully set. Four weeks are needed for this process. You can watch the video in this article to gain more knowledge about the technology involved in creating concrete sub-base by hand.

Be aware that the area of the concrete sub-base must be 10 to 15 cm larger on each side than the base’s dimensions when excavating a pit or trench to create a concrete base for a foundation.

Building regulations

It is advised that you become acquainted with the following regulatory documents before attempting to create the concrete sub-base on your own if you are not a professional builder:

1. SNiP 52-01-2003 "Concrete and reinforced concrete structures. Basic provisions";
2. SP 50-101-2004 "Design and construction of foundations and bases of buildings and structures".

The fundamental specifications for materials, solutions, and process technologies are laid out in these documents. They can answer all of your questions about technological aspects and material quality requirements.

In a nutshell, the standards are as follows:

• Lean concrete is made using cement M50 and higher.
• Filling a cushion of crushed stone before pouring is mandatory.
• The time to gain full strength is 4 weeks (28 days).
• The diameter of the reinforcement under various conditions is specified.

A sturdy, stable base for your building depends on using the proper mix and application of concrete when preparing it for a foundation. Choosing the appropriate materials, combining them properly, and applying the concrete precisely are all parts of proper preparation. This helps avoid future problems like cracking or settling while also enhancing the foundation’s strength and longevity. You can build a strong foundation that will support your structure for many years to come by concentrating on these essential steps.

Concrete base for strip foundation

In situations where the planned building will be situated in any of the following conditions, the concrete preparation device under the foundation is required:

• climatic zone with seasonal changes in the volume and density of the soil;
• type of terrain of the site closer to hilly or slope;
• unstable type of soil.

1. The area of ​​the concrete base is marked out, taking into account allowances of 10 cm on each side.

1. According to the markings, trenches are dug around the perimeter of the building and under the load-bearing walls.
2. The bottom of the trench is filled with a 10 cm layer of crushed stone. The crushed stone is tamped and poured with bitumen mastic.
3. Formwork panels are installed. Horizontal reinforcement is placed inside the formwork and vertical rods are inserted to connect the concrete base with the foundation.
4. The concrete base solution is poured and tamped.
5. After a week, the formwork panels can be removed. The concrete base is left until it sets completely. After the work is completed, the upper plane of the concrete base and the side parts are treated with bitumen mastic or the selected primer for waterproofing.

Calculation of the strip foundation

Step	Description
1. Site Preparation	Clear the area of debris and vegetation. Make sure the ground is level and compacted.
2. Formwork Installation	Set up wooden or metal forms to shape the concrete and hold it in place while it sets.
3. Reinforcement	Place steel rebar or mesh inside the formwork to strengthen the concrete and prevent cracking.
4. Mixing Concrete	Combine cement, sand, gravel, and water in the right proportions to create the concrete mix.
5. Pouring Concrete	Carefully pour the mixed concrete into the formwork, making sure to fill all areas evenly.
6. Leveling and Finishing	Use a screed to level the surface and a trowel to smooth it out. Allow it to set and cure properly.
7. Curing	Keep the concrete moist for several days to ensure it hardens and gains strength effectively.

A strong and long-lasting foundation is essential for any building project, so getting the concrete preparation for your foundation just right is essential. Every stage, from choosing the appropriate mix to properly curing the concrete, affects how strong and long-lasting your foundation will be. You can steer clear of typical pitfalls and create a foundation that endures over time by being meticulous and adhering to best practices.

Assess the site’s conditions and comprehend the structure’s load requirements first. This will help you select the proper proportions and concrete mix. To create a solid and dependable foundation, careful compaction and proper mixing are essential. Never undervalue the significance of curing; giving the concrete time to properly set and hydrate will increase its strength and longevity.

Throughout the curing process, routine inspections and maintenance can also aid in spotting possible problems early on and taking appropriate action. Your foundation will offer a strong base for many years to come if you put time and effort into each stage of concrete preparation. In the end, a solid foundation is the key to a construction project’s success.

Video on the topic

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