Step By Step Techniques for Building Foundation Construction

Posted by mira smith on February 19th, 2018

Foundations are the most important part of a building construction project. It doesn’t matter what is the design of the structure and what it would look like in the future, its strength depends on the techniques and materials used in construction. The foundation must be strong enough to withstand the load of the property. As a civil engineering student, you must learn the details of foundation construction to ensure that it will hold the weight of the building through the test of time. Here we have discussed some important steps on the same:

1) Survey and stake out footprint

This step is completed by a professional surveyor who will determine the boundary lines of the building. The surveyor will also mark the pillars and external walls. Using the offset stakes set by him, the digging for the foundation will be done.

2) Excavation

A structural engineer determines the depth of excavation, and then the soil is removed to set the foundation. The depth of the foundation depends upon the height and weight of the building as well as the atmospheric condition that it will bear. In most geographical locations, the top of the footing is kept below the frost line as this will prevent the concrete from cracking due to freezing or overheating of the soil.

3) Footings

The footings are concrete pathways that spread the weight of the building from the foundation walls to the soil. They are much wider than the foundation wall and form the perimetre of the building. In some cases, there are additional footings along with the main ones to support heavy walls.

4) Sub slab

In most buildings, plumbing lines run from the street to the basement by going under the footings. These lines are covered by concrete structures and referred to as sub slabs. They are highly tensile and hold waterproof property.

5) Foundation drainage system

In order to avoid flooding or pooling of water during rainy season, foundation drainage system is constructed. The foundation of drainage tiles is made up of punched drainage pipes that are embedded in gravel along the foundation of the building. In regions that receive high rainfall, a sump pump may also be required to collect the subsurface water.

6) Walls

Foundation walls are made by pouring concrete that is supported by sets of forms. Once the concrete walls are set and have achieved the full strength, the outer support is removed. The thickness of the foundation walls should be determined by the structural engineer by calculating the weight that it will bear.

7) Anchor bolts and beam pockets

For maximum strength, the foundation walls need to be secured with anchors bolts and beam pockets. The anchor bolts and beam pockets are embedded in the concrete at pre-determined points along the top of the foundation walls.

8) Waterproofing

A waterproofing sealant is applied to all of the exterior walls of the foundation. It will help to stop water from seeping through the walls and into the building’s basement.

9) Backfill soil

Backfill soil is used for providing stability to the building’s foundation. Once the foundation wall gets completed and the waterproofing seals dry, the trenches along the foundation wall are filled with backfill soil. It’s recommended to fill a third of the way with gravel and then top it will soil that drains easily.

These were some basic steps involved in building foundation construction. As a civil engineering student, you need to learn the theoretical concepts and do them practically too. If however, loads of academic tasks are impending you from learning new concepts, then seek civil engineering assignment help online.