Selecting the appropriate foundation is essential when constructing a home out of aerated concrete. Due to its light weight and unique structural requirements, aerated concrete requires sufficient foundation support. We’ll look at several foundation options for aerated concrete homes in this guide, and we’ll also help you choose the right one for your project.
We’ll also go over how to figure out how much weight the foundation needs to support in order to give your house a sturdy and stable foundation. We’ll also go over important pouring techniques to ensure a strong foundation that can endure a range of environmental factors.
- Which foundation to choose for an aerated concrete house
- Depth of foundation and types of foundations
- Slab foundation
- Monolithic foundation
- Strip foundation
- MZLF foundation
- Brick foundation
- Columnar structure
- Pile foundation
- Excavation work
- Reinforcing structure
- The process of pouring concrete
- Horizontal waterproofing
- Plinth
- Calculation of the MZLF according to Sazhin
- Video on the topic
- The best foundation for building a house! What kind of foundation is needed for a stone house?
- Types of foundations for a house. Which foundation to choose? The best foundation. Review of 6 types of foundation
Which foundation to choose for an aerated concrete house
When selecting a foundation for a home, you need to follow these guidelines:
- the ability to ensure stable geometric shapes of the building being erected;
- the structure must evenly distribute the load of the finished structure on the ground;
- the ability to resist deformation due to compensation for heaving forces;
- lowered lateral pressure exerted by the soil on the load-bearing walls, foundation and basement of the house.
The region’s soil freezing boundary and the degree of aquifer occurrence are the decisive factors in the decision. Since there are no subterranean sources or groundwater on the property, freezing depth is not taken into consideration when determining the foundation pit’s depth. It is acceptable to pour concrete above this line in all soil types with the exception of clay soil.
Depth of foundation and types of foundations
Two basic rules must be followed in order to calculate the pit’s depth:
- the distance from the base of the foundation to the soil surface should be 1.5 times greater than the distance to the freezing line;
- the lower boundary of the foundation should not be located closer than 2 m to the level of underground sources, but not further than 0.4 m from the freezing point.
There are various arrangements for foundations when building private homes out of aerated concrete blocks.
Slab foundation
The capacity to disperse loads equally between the soil and an aerated concrete building is a hallmark of a dependable foundation.
It offers the following benefits:
- compensates for the pressure caused by soil heaving;
- reduces the likelihood of damage to the concrete slab under the weight of the structure;
- the presence of a drainage system extends the service life of the building.
Slab foundations are constructed from reinforced concrete slabs. Concrete mortar is used in the last stages of production to fill joints and ceilings.
The following steps make up the pit’s arrangement:
- formation of a sand and crushed stone cushion;
- tamping of the underlying layer;
- laying of waterproofing;
- filling the gap between the moisture-proof lining and the sand and crushed stone layer with concrete.
The high speed of work compensates for the labor intensity of excavation activities, which is further compounded by the requirement to use large-sized special equipment for laying slabs and digging a pit.
Monolithic foundation
The primary advice for setting up a monolith is to supply the entire volume of concrete needed to pour the foundation structures in a single session. The necessary quantity is either independently prepared at the work site or ordered from the plant. Formwork, porch steps, and other project-specific details can all be formed simultaneously during preparatory activities for a private home.
Buildings smaller than 6 x 10 m may be constructed without reinforcement. One mortar layer should be poured after another, the next after the first has solidified. It is advised that they be no thicker than 15 cm. A vibratory rammer or tamping tool is used to eliminate air from the layer of concrete.
Strip foundation
This kind of foundation has the benefit of being inexpensive to build and purchase materials for. After excavating a trench beneath the load-bearing walls and around the building’s perimeter, the concrete strip is poured.
Heaving soils can be destructively compensated for with strip foundations.
The laying technology is the basis for the division into two categories:
- deeply buried is located below the primary soil freezing line in the absence of insulation;
- similar design with identical methods of construction work, supplemented with insulation that counteracts soil heaving in frosty weather.
Customers are drawn to GZLF by the potential to create a cozy basement. One uses such a foundation when building a basement.
MZLF foundation
When building on stable, non-heaving soils, it is utilized. The foundation can be positioned 0.3 meters below the surface due to the lack of soil layer movements. Aerated concrete blocks may be used to construct two-story homes on a shallow strip foundation. Building a three-story home with an attic is feasible.
In order to counteract the loads resulting from soil heaving, it is imperative to have a cushion composed of a blend of sand and crushed stone. The groundwater level is considered when making arrangements. Columnar or pile foundations must be used when subsurface sources are located in shallow water.
You’ll have to settle for a one-story home when building an aerated concrete block house on a heaving site. It is necessary to wait six to eight months after laying a shallow strip foundation before beginning to build walls in order to build up a margin of strength and rigidity. It will be necessary to continuously moisten the surface for the first five days.
Brick foundation
It is built on soil types comparable to the preceding choice. Similar specifications are placed on the buildings that are being built. There can only be two stories total because the foundation cannot support a heavy weight. The benefit of using brick for a foundation is that it can be used to form intricate geometric shapes without the requirement for additional concrete or formwork. One drawback is that more work needs to be done to keep the structure dry. The formation of a waterproofing layer solves the issue.
Experts advise using solid brick grade M-200 for foundation construction. Frost resistance is a must for the material.
Columnar structure
The structure is placed around the building’s perimeter and in areas where loads are expected to be higher. Restrictions on use offset the columnar foundation’s economic benefit. This kind of foundation is built in places where there is a lot of slope, a chance of seasonal soil movement, or loose soil. Building a basement or subterranean garage is not feasible with this kind of foundation.
During the arrangement process, the plinth, formwork, and drainage system require close attention. The goal of control is to make sure the base is protected from moisture.
This design comes in two varieties:
- monolithic base on pillars;
- prefabricated column system.
In order to mitigate the effect of groundwater on the structure, the drainage plan is designed at the time of concrete pouring.
Pile foundation
It is advised to use this when near subterranean sources of water. While they vary in size and construction material, piles and pillars share many functional similarities. The products in question are composed of wood, metal, and reinforced concrete, whereas the latter are made of hollow concrete.
There are two categories for pile structures:
- Screw. Used for foundations of buildings erected on sloping sites or on unstable and heaving soils. Made mainly of steel. The functions of the anchor, preventing the foundation from shifting, are assigned to special blades installed on the lower end of the pile. The spiral shape helps to securely fasten it in the bearing layer of soil.
- Bored. The scope of application is the foundations of buildings erected on clay, loam, sandy, sandy loam and peat soils. The structure can withstand a load of up to 10 tons.
The products are connected by a monolithic wall, which is symbolized by a concrete grillage. These foundations are advised for problematic soils; however, the construction process is complicated.
Excavation work
Since it is not a good idea to keep excavated trenches open for an extended period of time, excavation work must start as soon as the temporary drainage system is installed.
It is advised to begin by delineating the area to be marked. At the locations designating the boundaries of the foundation, pegs are driven in. It is time to remove the black soil’s productive layer.
Either hand labor or specialized machinery is used to dig the trench. It is not practical to arrange a shallow strip foundation with heavy machinery; a shovel will suffice.
Two phases of the work are completed using earthmoving equipment:
- Rough excavation of soil.
- Fine formation of the trench.
It is advised to get a location ready before adding the removed soil layer.
Reinforcing structure
Installing a special frame is necessary to increase strength because concrete has a reduced resistance to tensile strength. The foundation is strengthened with reinforcement. The procedure is filling a structure composed of wire-connected metal rods with concrete. Using a steel mesh with a cellular structure is acceptable.
Extended reinforcement is employed as a reinforcing element in certain situations. Fiberglass, polypropylene, and steel rods are used to make the product.
To ensure stability and durability when building a house with aerated concrete, the right foundation must be chosen. There are various kinds of foundations to take into account, such as slab-on-grade, pile, and strip foundations. Depending on the local climate, load requirements, and soil conditions, each type has advantages of its own. To create a stable and long-lasting base, it’s critical to determine the weight your foundation will have to support and to adhere to precise pouring techniques. To help you choose the best foundation for your aerated concrete home, this guide will walk you through the various options, how to calculate the load, and what to consider while pouring.
The process of pouring concrete
It is essential to complete the event in one sitting in order to guarantee the foundation’s dependability. In hot weather, water should be poured onto the concrete to moisten it. It is advised to cover the foundation with wood shavings to stop evaporation.
If pouring all at once is not possible, the foundation may be built layer by layer with the solution spread evenly throughout the site. To avoid weakening the structure, it is not allowed to fill individual walls with a binder at different stages.
Horizontal waterproofing
Used to prevent moisture intrusion into residential buildings. Bitumen mastic pretreatment is necessary prior to applying waterproofing material.
The moisture-proof layer’s width ought to be greater than the foundation’s width. The creation of a waterproofing umbrella keeps the house dry.
Plinth
The plinth is built from concrete blocks. You can use moisture-resistant face brick in their place. It is necessary to apply bitumen-based mastic to the plinth. Applying the liquid agent in layers and repeating the process multiple times is advised for reliability.
Calculation of the MZLF according to Sazhin
It is completed during the planning phase, prior to the commencement of building. It enables you to ascertain the length, width, and depth of the foundation trench.
The computations consider:
- type of surface soil layer;
- physical characteristics;
- degree of soil heaving depending on the relief and weather conditions of the region;
- level of occurrence of the aquifer on the site;
- presence of heating in the building.
The following factors are taken into consideration when calculating the loads on the foundation for aerated concrete homes with load-bearing internal and external walls that are constructed on heaving soils:
- length of floors;
- number and heights of floors;
- material and size of the base;
- height of the cornice.
Select wooden floor slabs or reinforced concrete for cellular concrete blocks. Consider the composition of the coatings when doing computations.
Type of Foundation | Features |
Strip Foundation | Common for aerated concrete houses. Provides good stability and is suitable for various soil types. Requires proper excavation and reinforcement. |
Pad Foundation | Ideal for lighter structures. Involves individual pads under load-bearing walls. Simple to construct but may require more materials for reinforcement. |
Pile Foundation | Used for weak or unstable soils. Involves driving piles deep into the ground to support the structure. Expensive but effective for challenging conditions. |
Slab Foundation | Provides a solid base and prevents moisture issues. Good for areas with stable soil. Requires careful planning for thickness and reinforcement. |
Load Calculation | Essential to ensure the foundation can support the house. Takes into account the weight of the aerated concrete walls and any additional loads. |
Pouring Features | Ensure proper mixing and curing of concrete. Use high-quality materials to avoid cracks and ensure durability. Follow recommended practices for reinforcement and drying. |
Aerated concrete homes must have a properly chosen foundation to ensure the stability and long-term viability of the building. You should choose a foundation type that is appropriate for aerated concrete, taking into account its special qualities and the weight it will support.
There are benefits to each type of foundation, including pile, slab, and strip foundations, and they are all appropriate for different soil types and loads. Making an educated choice requires accurate load calculations and knowledge of the soil’s characteristics.
To prevent problems later on, it’s critical to adhere to best practices for reinforcement and curing when pouring the foundation. You can guarantee a strong, long-lasting foundation that efficiently supports your aerated concrete home with careful planning and execution.