Foundation slab for a house made of aerated concrete

Aerated concrete is a popular material for home construction because of its superior thermal insulation and lightweight nature. However, a solid and trustworthy foundation is necessary to guarantee the structure’s longevity and stability. A foundation slab is one of the greatest choices for this since it offers a sturdy base that equally distributes the weight of the building over the ground.

A thick, reinforced concrete slab that spans the whole footprint of the house is called a foundation slab, sometimes referred to as a raft foundation. For homes made of aerated concrete, this kind of foundation is especially ideal since it provides superior support and reduces the possibility of uneven settling, which over time may result in structural problems. Because the slab is continuous, it helps to keep cracks from forming and provides a stable base for the house’s walls and floors.

The preparation of the site is the first of several crucial steps in the construction of a foundation slab. This include raking out the space, leveling the terrain, and adding a gravel layer to help with drainage. After that, a waterproof membrane is applied to keep moisture out of the concrete. After that, steel reinforcement is installed inside the formwork to strengthen the slab. Ultimately, a strong and long-lasting foundation is created by pouring, spreading, and curing the concrete.

There are many advantages to building an aerated concrete home on a foundation slab. It offers a high degree of stability, lowers the possibility of structural damage, and has the potential to be a practical and affordable solution. It is also adaptable to different kinds of soil and especially useful in places with difficult ground conditions. A foundation slab can guarantee that your aerated concrete home will endure for many years to come with proper planning and execution.

Aspect	Details
Foundation Type	Concrete slab foundation
Suitable For	Aerated concrete houses
Benefits	Strong, durable, provides even support
Preparation	Level the ground, compact the soil
Materials	Concrete, reinforcement mesh
Installation	Pour concrete, smooth surface, allow to cure
Considerations	Proper drainage, insulation

Features of foundation bases and recommendations for choosing a foundation

A number of considerations should be made when choosing the type of foundation base for a building composed of aerated concrete blocks:

• the total mass of the ground part of the building;
• additional load from the weight of furniture and equipment;
• the nature of the soil in the construction zone;
• the depth of the groundwater;
• climatic conditions of the area;
• features of the relief at the construction site;
• properties of the building material.

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If you intend to construct a home using blocks made of aerated concrete, you should choose the foundation design carefully and consider the following characteristics of the material:

• reduced specific gravity;
• increased fragility of aerated concrete blocks;
• increased moisture absorption.

There is a false belief that the small mass of aerated concrete blocks makes it inappropriate to build a strong foundation. The building’s stability will be adversely affected by the desire to lower the estimated costs. Cracks will unavoidably develop after the house’s walls are built on an improperly calculated foundation, decreasing the structure’s stability.

Different kinds of foundations are constructed for buildings made of aerated concrete:

• Slab. This is one of the most reliable types of foundation base. It compensates for the frost heaving reaction created by the soil and evenly transfers the mass of the structure to the soil surface. A prefabricated slab, for the construction of which a cushion of sand and crushed stone is made, shifts simultaneously with the soil, ensuring the integrity of the building. The slab foundation is called floating, due to this feature. The slab foundation is a prefabricated structure made of standard reinforced concrete panels. For their installation, a pit is prepared, a cushion is formed, the thickness of which is 20-25 cm. Then a thin layer of concrete is poured, slabs are laid and the joint areas are concreted. After the concrete has hardened, the foundation base is ready for the construction of walls. A slab foundation is constructed with increased soil heaving.
• Monolithic. A monolithic plate for a house from aerated concrete is concrete directly at the construction site. The complex of preparatory measures provides for the cleaning and planning of the surface of the construction site, the implementation of earthwork. Then a shield formwork is built, a reinforcing bishlar is assembled and a concrete solution is poured along the area of ​​the future foundation base. In the process of concreting, it is possible to lay engineering communications and form steps. To ensure the reliability of a monolithic basis, it is important to concrete at one time. To do this, it is advisable to order a concrete solution in the required volume and using a concrete pump, make its continuous supply to the formwork. The house made of aerated concrete on a monolithic plate will last a long period, provided that the basis is correctly based.

• Ribbon. It is built by extracting the soil along the contour of the capital walls of the future building. A solid reinforced concrete structure is carried out around the perimeter of the house in the form of a closed strip, ensuring the stability of the aerated concrete structure. To construct a strip base, a gravel-sand cushion must be installed. The strip foundation is made both in a shallow design and is concreted below the soil freezing level. A strip foundation allows you to arrange a basement or build a basement floor. This type of foundation is used on normal soils that are not prone to frost heaving. When constructing a strip base, the depth of groundwater should be taken into account. When the level of aquifers is close, it is not advisable to equip a strip foundation.
• Brick. It has proven itself positively on stable soils with low groundwater levels. Brick foundations are the optimal solution for the construction of a small-sized building from aerated concrete blocks. Moreover, the height of the building does not exceed one floor. The main advantages of a brick foundation are that there is no need to construct panel formwork and that construction activities can be carried out without pouring concrete mortar. Brick needs reliable waterproofing, which, if done well, will last for more than half a century. For the construction of a brick foundation, solid bricks marked M200 are used. To perform foundation masonry from solid bricks, a pit should be prepared, its base should be planned, and then sand and crushed stone should be filled and compacted. Bricks for the foundation are laid on cement mortar.
• Columnar or pile. A columnar foundation structure is constructed by forming brick or concrete pillars at the most loaded points along the contour of the building"s load-bearing walls. A columnar foundation for an aerated concrete house should not be built on weak soils with close groundwater. It is important to lay columnar supports below the level of soil freezing and form an extension at the bottom of the columns, increasing the area of ​​the supporting surface. A grillage is constructed to increase the load-bearing capacity of a columnar foundation. As an alternative, it is possible to construct a pile foundation using screw or bored piles as supporting elements. A pile foundation is ideal for complex soils, as well as elevation differences.

Many developers feel that the best option for an aerated concrete house is a monolithic slab after weighing the costs and design features of several types of foundations.

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When building a home out of aerated concrete, a foundation slab is an essential component since it offers a sturdy and reliable base that sustains the weight of the building and guarantees long-term stability. By equally distributing the weight across the ground, this kind of foundation lowers the possibility of settling and cracks. In addition, it has superior insulation qualities, which enhance aerated concrete’s energy efficiency. Builders and homeowners can lay a strong foundation for a secure and cozy home by being aware of the advantages and building procedures associated with a foundation slab.

Requirements for a foundation slab for aerated concrete walls of a house

An aerated concrete house’s foundation slab is a responsible structure, requiring careful consideration of a number of variables and numerous computations during construction.

A monolithic foundation must satisfy the following conditions:

• increased load capacity. Despite the small specific gravity of aerated concrete blocks, a monolithic foundation base must remain intact under the weight of the building and the furniture in it. In addition, during the operation of the building, it is possible to increase its number of storeys, as well as construct additional extensions. These factors must be taken into account when constructing a monolithic slab;
• ability to withstand bending moments associated with soil reaction. After all, when the soil, characterized by high humidity, freezes, significant soil movements are possible. Correctly selected thickness of the slab, reinforced with steel reinforcement, will prevent the formation of cracks in aerated concrete walls. When the soil shifts due to frost heaving, the solid reinforced concrete slab shifts along with the building, ensuring its stability.

Moreover, a monolithic foundation needs to offer:

• reliable protection of the building walls from moisture penetration;
• long service life of the building;
• reduction in costs for maintaining a comfortable temperature;
• integrity of the box of the aerated concrete structure.

Proper execution of foundation calculations and the use of premium materials will guarantee that the monolithic slab has the necessary performance characteristics.

Basic calculations during design to ensure the reliability of the structure

Aerated concrete slab foundation calculations are done in a few different ways during the design phase:

• manually using a regular calculator;
• using ready-made software.

With accurate computations, you can ascertain:

• the need for building materials;
• the thickness of the monolithic foundation base;
• the strength characteristics of the foundation;
• the bearing capacity of the reinforced concrete slab.

Additionally, the following attributes are ascertained during the computation phase:

• the total weight of the future building, taking into account constant and variable loads;
• the surface area of ​​the foundation base to determine the amount of heat insulator;
• the amount of pressure that the foundation slab with the building exerts on the soil surface.

Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of carrying out each kind of computation.

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How to calculate the thickness of a monolithic slab for a house made of aerated concrete

Based on statistical data and the pre-calculated mass of the building, the thickness of the foundation slab for an aerated concrete home is determined.

The following dimensions add up to the vertical size of the foundation slab:

• the height of the compacted sand and gravel layer that acts as a damping cushion. Depending on the soil characteristics, the thickness of the crushed stone and sand backfill ranges from 10 to 30 cm;
• the thickness of the concrete layer poured into the panel formwork of a certain height. The average thickness of the reinforced concrete base ranges from 15 to 25 cm.

After adding up all of the given values, we get the monolithic foundation’s total thickness, accounting for the 25–55 cm damping layer.

Calculation of the strength and load-bearing capacity of a monolithic slab

You can use the calculation to find a monolithic slab’s load-bearing capacity and safety margin. This kind of computation is carried out subsequent to ascertaining the overall measurements and arrangement of the monolithic foundation. The primary objective of the load calculation is to validate the slab’s safety margin, which will guarantee the structure’s stability and prevent the frame from deforming.

An algorithm for carrying out computations:

1. Determine the area of ​​the foundation sole by multiplying its dimensions.
2. Calculate the volume of the foundation by multiplying the area of ​​the base by the height.
3. Calculate the weight of the foundation by multiplying its volume by the specific gravity of the concrete used.
4. Calculate the mass of the future structure taking into account the weight of the capital walls, partitions, floors and roof structure.
5. Determine the variable load, including the weight of people, equipment and furniture.
6. Calculate the total load from the structure by adding the weight of the building with the foundation and the value of the variable loads.

The typical load value per square meter is between 180 and 200 kg. The value of the specific pressure exerted by the structure on the soil must then be determined by dividing the total load by the area of the foundation sole. The obtained specific load value still needs to be compared to the soil’s bearing capacity. When doing calculations, remember that the soil’s capacity to support a given load should be twenty to twenty-five percent greater than the specific pressure.

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Monolithic slab for a house made of aerated concrete – construction technology

The following is the process for building a monolithic slab:

1. Prepare the site.
2. Make markings.
3. Dig a pit.
4. Form a cushion.
5. Assemble the formwork.
6. Lay waterproofing.
7. Lay insulation.
8. Assemble the reinforcement grid.
9. Perform concreting.

The needs of the previously created project should serve as your guide at each stage of the work.

Installation of reinforcement to strengthen the foundation for the future building

When putting the reinforcement grid together, adhere to the given order of steps:

1. Cut the reinforcement bars into blanks of the required sizes.
2. Place the longitudinal rods on special supports at equal intervals.
3. Tie the transverse rods with the longitudinal reinforcement with knitting wire.

Make sure the waterproofing material is intact when installing the lattice inside the formwork.

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How is the process of pouring concrete mortar carried out

Use a ready-made solution from a concrete pump or make your own mixture for concreting. Method:

1. Fill the formwork with mortar.
2. Distribute the concrete mixture inside the formwork.
3. Thoroughly compact the concrete surface.
4. Plan the surface of the slab.
5. Lay a polyethylene film on the slab.
6. Periodically moisten the concrete.

The hardening process takes four weeks, regardless of the thickness of the slab beneath the aerated concrete that has been formed.

Aerated concrete foundation slab construction is an essential step in guaranteeing the longevity and stability of your home. Because this kind of foundation can evenly distribute weight and keeps the structure from settling or shifting over time, it is especially well-suited for aerated concrete structures. You’re setting the stage for a long-lasting and sturdy home by making the investment in a well-built foundation slab.

The ease of use and efficiency of foundation slabs in offering a sturdy foundation are among their primary benefits. In addition to bearing the weight of the structure, the slab serves as a moisture barrier, which is necessary to keep the aerated concrete intact. In order to improve the performance of the foundation and shield your house from potential water damage and energy loss, proper insulation and drainage are essential.

It’s crucial to use high-quality materials and adhere to best practices throughout the building process. This entails making certain the soil is suitably prepared, using the appropriate concrete mix, and giving the slab enough time to cure. By paying attention to these details, you can help avoid common problems like uneven settling and cracks, which can jeopardize the stability of the entire structure.

In conclusion, constructing a house with aerated concrete requires a well-built foundation slab. It offers a solid, sturdy foundation that upholds the building and shields it from outside influences. You’re creating the conditions for a long-lasting and prosperous construction project by putting quality and meticulous execution first in the foundation stage.

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