Prefabricated strip foundation is the optimal solution for "fast construction"

The best material for prefabricated ribbon foundation

Modern materials are increasingly coming to the "heels" brick. For example, in the struggle for the right to "reign" under the earth, he is confidently defeated by a relative newcomer in construction - a reinforced concrete block.

We must thank for such a valuable find. .. gardener. In the last century, the florist Josef Monier tried to make pots for his plants from concrete. But, the tanks quickly crumbled and broke, unable to withstand the pressure of the earth and roots, so the ingenious Frenchman strengthened them from within with a metal frame. The device of prefabricated foundations is based on the system of laying concrete "cubes", also reinforced with an internal reinforcement mesh.

Previously, the reinforced concrete blocks were "molded" only by hand, now these products are mass produced in special iron ore factories. This reduced the cost of material, and the quality of the products is guaranteed:

1. An exact recipe for concrete.
2. Strict calculation of the reinforcing mesh.
3. Machine vibration compacting.
4. 8-hour steaming in a special chamber.
5. Frozen "semi-finished products" in a room with an ideal microclimate.

Therefore, the foundation is a ribbon of blocks - the best option among other types of prefabric soles. The builder is relieved of worries with calculation and installation of reinforcement corset, reinforced concrete masonry does not require additional reinforcement inside.

Types of reinforced concrete blocks for prefabricated basement foundation

In factories of reinforced concrete products produce products for all needs of builders. On sale there are special reinforced concrete blocks, simplifying the assembly of the soles of any type:

• solid( FBS);
• with openings for the laying of communications( VBW);
• hollow n-shaped( FBP).

Specially for the device of a tape foundation, on manufacture are made:

• Blocks-pillows. These are trapezoidal elements that are designed to increase the base area of ​​the lower row of the base of the belts in difficult soils.
• Wall blocks. This is a consumable material for increasing the height of underground walls of a standard rectangular shape. For convenience, they are equipped with special grooves for dense masonry to each other.

In the factory assortment there is a special series of reinforced concrete blocks for the installation of tape and other types of foundations in conditions of particularly difficult soils. To enhance their output technical characteristics, additives are added to the solution formulation, which add additional useful properties to the material:

• frost resistance( below -1000С);
• is neutral to acidic media.

For high-speed construction, large blocks weighing 350-1450 kg are used, which only the lifting equipment can do. For example, for the installation of a shallow deep foundation foundation, one or two rows of such "giants" are sufficient, with which the mechanized brigade of workers will manage in just a few hours.

But for the self-construction "mini cubes" with linear parameters of 20 /20/ 40 cm and a mass of only 30 kg are suitable.

How to build a prefabricated strip foundation from reinforced concrete blocks

Even using a material that is so ideal in its characteristics, you need to think about the future "safety" of the basement and perform geo reconnaissance of the site. With its help accurately determine the desired depth of ribbon for a secure attachment of the building to the ground. Please note that, despite such a strong appearance, the masonry of reinforced concrete blocks suffers from a pronounced "hydrophobia" due to the presence of docking seams in the system. Thorough waterproofing of the prefabricated base type is an indispensable condition for its durability and strength.

Now let's go directly to the description of the construction process itself:

• Preparing the construction site. The site is cleared of excess thickets, leveled, and the upper soft layer of the earth is completely removed( 5-8 cm).
• Markup. To properly make the ribbon foundation with their own hands, pre-mark the future tapes on the ground. To do this, use roulette, pegs and rope.
• Trenches. Swarm them according to the markings so that the depth and width of the future tapes have an allowance of 15-20 cm.
• Laying the drain cushion. 15 cm of sand( with obligatory repeated pouring) and 5 cm of crushed stone are poured onto the bottom of the pit. All layers are carefully rammed, leveled and filled with bitumen grease.
• Preparation of the solution. For the laying of blocks a standard sand-cement mortar is used, which in the process of work is strictly forbidden to dilute with water. Before use, it should be thoroughly shoveled to evenly distribute the heavy particles in it. The thickness of the joints of the masonry is no more than 8-10 mm.
• Installation of the first row of "pillows". The laying of blocks starts from the corners and intersections of the bearing walls, then stretches between these points of the rope and stacks the remaining elements strictly under the level.
• Masonry of tapes. Build underground walls from blocks similar to brickwork. In the process of work, all three cutting rules must be met, no deviation from the horizontal of the walls by more than 1-1.5 cm is allowed.
• Waterproofing. After completion of construction, the outer surface of the underground walls should be carefully protected from moisture. As a waterproofing of the tape block foundation, a double layer of ruberoid, pasted overlap( 15 cm) and with bandaging of seams, is usually used. Then the side slits around the tapes are covered with a mixture of sand, soil and gravel.

The prefabricated strip foundation on average will cost 35-40% more expensive than the monolith, so it justifies itself only when it is necessary to perform the construction in a rather short time.