Sometimes there is a need to build a small object in a country house or garden plot. Something like a garden gazebo or utility room. Of course, they can be built without a foundation simply on the ground. But then they will be unstable and quickly collapse.
According to building codes, any permanent structure must have a foundation. Moreover, before choosing its type and dimensions, you should consult your local construction organization and find out what requirements apply to a standard foundation.
First of all, it is important to find out the depth of soil freezing in winter. This way you can set the depth of the foundation, and its base should be below the freezing depth.
Other properties of the soil are also important: its type, what is the bearing capacity, how deep the groundwater lies, etc. Only after these indicators are clarified can you reasonably choose the type and size of the foundation.
The easiest to implement is a strip foundation, but it will require a lot of concrete.It is also afraid of frost heaving and in winter it can sag in places or, on the contrary, rise, which will lead to its cracking and subsequent destruction.
For small but permanent buildings, in financial terms, in terms of labor costs and in resisting frost heaving, a columnar foundation with a circular cross-section is preferable - supports.
We make a foundation on concrete supports
In principle, even without knowing everything noted above, you can establish the depth of the columnar foundation. Look at the foundations in nearby houses or cottages, choose the one that is in good condition, and ask the owners about the depth of its foundation.
It turned out to be equal to 61 cm. There is a special round formwork made, say, from thick pressed cardboard. Its standard length is 120 cm, and its diameter is 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm.
Using a hacksaw, we cut off a piece 61 cm long. By the way, formwork for a columnar foundation can be made from many sheet building materials, for example, roofing felt.
We drill a hole using a mechanized or hand drill according to the diameter of the tube and a depth of 70-75 cm. Pour fine gravel onto the bottom and compact it using a wooden beam with a section of 5 by 10 cm. The thickness of the compacted gravel cushion is 10-15 cm.
We place the previously cut tube in the hole on a gravel bed, and check the verticality of its installation using a building level.
This is important for the columnar foundation to reliably support the weight of the building.
We compact it.
We mix the solution by hand or in a concrete mixer and, after mixing, fill the form with it, regularly piercing the concrete mass with a reinforcement pin and a trowel to prevent air bubbles from leaving in the thickness of the mixture, which will have a bad effect on the load-bearing capacity of the columnar support.
Having filled the form with concrete mixture to the very top, we level the surface and install the mortgage exactly in the center.
It should not be loaded for at least 24 hours after pouring until the concrete mixture has set.
Construction You can start only after 3 weeks. This is how long it takes for a cement-based concrete mixture to completely harden and gain maximum strength.
