2/27/2024 0 Comments Building a stem wall foundationThe timing of the application of these materials depends on the materials you choose. The addition of acid staining or broadcast color is another plus for concrete slabs. Once poured, as with any concrete, you must wait a minimum of 45 days to allow for proper curing before you begin construction on the concrete. For example, a simple 200 square foot slab can be prepared and poured by one person in about 2-3 days. Once the slab is formed, leveled, and squared, the installation of the above materials can be relatively quick and easy. It is very important to get proper compaction of the sub slab material in order to reduce cracking in the finish slab. Not doing so will result in a very inefficient building due to heat loss through the concrete. Be sure to insulate well at the edges and underneath the slab so to isolate the thermal mass to the inside of the structure. There are lots of site specific details that should be considered when constructing your slab. A basic slab consists of wide footings at the perimeter or wherever extra bearing is required, sub-slab gravel inside of the footings, 6 mil plastic, insulation, a 2″ sand bed, and a rebar frame. What’s more, there are loads of contractors available to choose from if you’d rather hire it out. With practice, you too can pour an attractive slab foundation. Slabs are so popular because of the availability of the material, and ease of construction (once you have figured it all out). One thing we know for sure is that the less concrete you use in your project, the more environmentally friendly it will be. Some concrete companies do not offer this option, so check it out ahead of time. Minimal amounts of fly ash, incinerator ash, can be added to the mix in place of Portland cement. The addition of rip-rap, old pieces of cured concrete broken up into small slabs, reduces the need for new materials. As much waste material as product is created, yielding a 100% EE Ratio. In other words, for every one pound of Portland cement, one pound of carbon dioxide is produced. The process of making Portland cement, an ingredient in concrete, creates a 100% embodied energy ratio. Concrete, when used as a new product, has a huge embodied energy (EE) cost. The production of the product itself is very damaging to the environment. The DownsideĪs with any material, there are a number of downsides to using concrete. The large mass of the concrete slab provides for excellent thermal storage, lowering heating costs. This is also true when using a radiant floor heating system. A concrete slab makes for an excellent heat sink. This is one of the major principles of passive solar design. The sun heats the mass and then over time the stored heat is slowly released into the room. Create a heat sink by using materials with high thermal mass in an area that receives direct sunlight. The slab provides for a floor system, foundation system, and heat sink all in one step. Slab on GradeĪ floating slab can work in conjunction with basement walls however, if you are not required to excavate below deep frost lines, a simple, insulated slab on grade will be much more practical. Some jurisdictions actually require a geotechnical report these days, so check with your building department before making any decisions. Be sure to consider the geotechnical engineering requirements of your soil as well. Building back with a stem wall may allow you to incorporate a basement in your plan. Stem walls are especially useful in areas with a deep frost line as more excavation will be required in those situations. Slabs can be very simple and are a great idea when excavation requirements are minimal. The two most common systems are slabs and stem walls with footings. In general, foundation systems contain one or more of the following: footings, piers, stem walls, and/or slabs. The biggest limitation may be the building department and what they will accept as meeting code. Concrete stem walls and footings, piers, concrete slabs, rubble trench with concrete bond beam, earth/sand bag, and rip-rap stacks are all possibilities. There are many different options for foundations.
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