DIY pile foundation from pipes
The foundation is the foundation of the building, the durability of the structure depends on its strength, in fact, it is the main supporting structure of the structure, its movement or subsidence leads to distortions of the building structure, floors begin to swell and the doors stop closing, and, in the worst case, the house can simply collapse . We propose to consider how to build an inexpensive and reliable columnar foundation from reliable asbestos pipes in the above article.
It should be noted that just recently, this type of foundation of the house has become especially popular.
Advantages and disadvantages of the pile foundation
The foundation for a house made of asbestos-cement pipes is materially beneficial and reliable enough for the construction of light buildings and auxiliary structures such as log or frame houses, bathhouses, outbuildings. To build a columnar foundation from asbestos pipes, you will need the actual pipes, a garden drill, a concrete mixer (it can be rented during construction), several rods of corrugated reinforcement, sand and cement. By the complexity of the execution, it is quite possible to build it yourself.
The following can be said about the merits of such a foundation:
- in comparison with monolithic solutions, the base of asbestos-cement pipes for a house will cost half as much and require half the time and effort;
- digging a pit for such a foundation is not necessary;
- a pile foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes is built very quickly; upon completion of work, you can immediately start building a house, saving up to two weeks compared to a monolithic foundation;
- the height of such a foundation above the ground is usually not less than 30 cm, which will save water from entering the house during heavy rains and flooding, and if floods have ever occurred in a given area, the piles can be raised higher;
- on the foundation of asbestos-cement piles, it is much easier to bring communications to the house - water supply, sewage, gas piping and so on.
The use of such bases is limited by the following factors:
- such constructions are applicable only on condition of placing structures of limited mass on them;
- the duration of safe operation of pile foundations from asbestos-cement piles is limited to 80 years;
- in houses on such foundations it is almost impossible to build a basement;
- foundation of a house made of asbestos-cement piles is impossible in places with floating soils.
For these purposes, other materials, in particular metal or plastic products, are quite applicable. However, they also have disadvantages characteristic of materials. Metal pipes corrode and are more expensive, and plastic pipes have limitations on the effect of freezing temperatures.
Asbestos-cement pipes have the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion, which ensures the stability of the foundation during operation.
How to make a foundation
Starting construction, a number of mandatory actions must be performed so that the work is not performed in vain:
- Find out the quality of soils at the construction site to prevent contact with floating soils.
- To clarify the depth of soil freezing in a given area, the depth of immersion of piles from asbestos-cement pipes depends on this.
- Calculate the size of the pile, taking into account the maximum redistributed load on the pipe 800 kg. If the design load is greater, you need to increase the number of intermediate piles.
Work order
- Mark the house plan at the chosen place, mark the intersection of the bearing walls with pegs.
- Check the marking by measuring the overall dimensions on the diagonals of the marking. They must be the same.
- Mark the placement of intermediate piles under the supporting walls. The distance between them should be no more than 1 meter.
- With a garden drill, make a hole in the ground for the pile. The immersion depth should be greater than the value of freezing of the soil by 0.3 - 0.5 meters. The diameter of the hole is at least 5 cm larger than the diameter of the pile. Do it yourself easily
- Fill under the base of the asbestos cement pipe with two layers of sand and gravel.
- Tamp and fill with water.
- Mark and cut the pipe with your own hands using a grinder to the required length, taking into account the excess of the upper end above the ground by about 30 cm.
- The immersed end must be treated with water-polymer waterproofing for the immersion length in accordance with the instructions on the emulsion packaging. The work is easily done by one person with his own hands.
- Lower the pipe into the hole and fasten it with wooden blocks.
- Also install the rest of the piles. Measure the diagonals again, if necessary, adjust the location of the pipes.
- Using a level, check the horizontal placement of the upper ends of asbestos-cement piles, mark the level of concrete pouring. Protrude protruding parts after concrete hardening.
- Pour the piles with concrete prepared according to the following recipe: 2 parts of M300 cement, two parts of sand, two parts of medium gravel, water. To check the consistency of concrete, mold a ball with a diameter of about 10 cm from it. It should slightly sag under its own weight, but not crumble and not blur.
- Outside the piles, install 3 - 4 reinforcement bars by tying them with wire. Inside the pipe, install the bars of reinforcing steel in the same way.
- After loading inside or outside the concrete batch pipe, pierce the mass layer with a rod in several places and tamper to avoid the formation of air bubbles in the fill mass.
- After this, take a break of 5 to 7 days in the performance of any work on the construction site to give concrete time to harden.
- Check the horizontality of the upper ends of the piles, if necessary - shorten the speakers with their own hands.
Grillage foundations
If it is necessary to strengthen the pile foundations, a structural element called a grillage is used. This term refers to a concrete slab or beam, which is laid on top of the vertical supports of the foundation.
Types of grillages
Types of execution.
They may be:
- Tall - the supporting element is located above the soil surface, used in areas with a high location of groundwater.
- Low - it is applied at deep arrangement of soil and in areas with a small depth of freezing of soil.
- An elevated grillage is called a support element, located at ground level. It is carried out by the manufacture of formwork, reinforcement and continuous casting with concrete. The strongest foundation for low-rise and larger construction, since the support turns into a monolithic structure.
Types of grillages by the materials used:
- Wooden - grillage of timber, used for the construction of houses made of wood, baths, household buildings. Easy to do with your own hands. It needs high-quality protection of wood from decay and pests.
- Steel - made of steel structures, rods and screw piles. It is used in lightweight construction, characterized by strength and stability. The disadvantage is susceptibility to corrosion.
- Monolithic - a system of elements made of asbestos cement piles and a cast concrete supporting surface, combining all the components of the structure into a single whole. The most reliable and durable form of pile foundations.
Wanting to make a foundation for a country house with your own hands, pay attention to the techniques described here. You will get a foundation of sufficient strength at low cost. I wish you success!