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https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/foundation-systems-and-soil-types/
09-04-2016
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Soil Types
A good starting point is to call your local
authority Building Control department. They
should be willing, informally, to give you an idea
of the typical soil type in the area you are
building, and the sort of foundation that is
appropriate.
Usefully, most local authorities produce a fact
sheet on typical foundation solutions for
different soil types commonly found in the area.
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09-04-2016
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Rock
Rocks such as limestone, granite, sandstone,
shale and hard solid chalk have a high bearing
capacity. The rock may simply need to be
stripped back and levelled off to build from.
Rock can be impervious, so topsoil is likely to
require drainage as it is not possible to build
soakaways to dispose of rainwater or surface
water. Off-mains drainage options will also be
very limited.
Chalk
Strip foundations are commonly used in chalk.
Providing the chalk is not too soft, widths of
450mm for low-rise buildings are generally
acceptable. The depth of the foundation must be
below any frost action (700mm). If the chalk is
soft it will need to be excavated until firm chalk
is reached.
Chalk soils can be prone to erosion so be wary
of hollows or caves.
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Clay
The first 900-1,200mm layer of clay is subject to
movement due to expansion and shrinkage
depending on moisture content, so it is generally
necessary to excavate foundations to a depth
where the moisture content of the clay remains
stable. British Standard 8004 recommends a
minimum depth of 1m for foundations But if
there are, or were, trees nearby, depths of up to
3m may be necessary.
In clay, prior to concreting the foundations, the
trench is often protected from heave by lining it
with a compressible layer (e.g. Clayboard).
Peat
Peat and loose waterlogged sand are very poor
subsoils. If the peat can be stripped back to find
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Filled ground
Where ground has previously been excavated
and filled, it is generally necessary to dig down
to a level beneath the area of the fill.
Sloping sites
Sloping sites require stepped foundations.
Guidelines are given in the Building Regulations.
Foundation Types
A quick guide to the most common types of
foundation
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09-04-2016
Strip Foundation
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A continuous strip of concrete supporting loadbearing walls. For a single storey building strip
foundations will typically be 450mm wide and at
least 200mm deep, and for two storeys 600mm
wide and 200mm deep.
Deep Strip Foundations: Deep strip foundations:
Where strip foundations need to be at a lower
level to reach soil with suitable bearing capacity,
a wider, deeper trench can be dug to work in,
and the strip foundations dug and poured at a
lower level. Walls are then built up to ground
level in masonry.
Wide Strip Foundations: Wide strip foundations:
Where the soil is soft or of a low load-bearing
capacity, wide strip foundations can be used to
spread the load over a larger area, reinforced
with steel so that the loading per m is reduced.
Trenchfill Foundation
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Raft Foundation
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A reinforced concrete raft or mat is used on very
weak or expansive soils such as clays or peat.
They allow the building to float on or in the soil.
A raft is used where the soil requires such a large
bearing area that wide strip foundations are
spread too far, making it more economical to
pour one large reinforced concrete slab. A raft is
an alternative to piles as it can be less expensive.
Piled Foundation
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Pad Foundations
Used when isolated loads need to be supported,
for instance to support the columns of a steel or
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Building
Footprint
Area (m)
50 m
50 m
50 m
Depth of
Dig
Required
(m)
Strip
Foundation
Trench Fill
Foundation
1m deep
0.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
5,815.51
0.9m deep
foundation:
5,553.73
2m deep
1.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
8,252.84
1.9m deep
foundation:
7,991.06
3m deep
2.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
10,690.17
2.9m deep
foundation:
10,428.39
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/foundation-systems-and-soil-types/
09-04-2016
100 m
1m depp
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0.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
9,904.52
0.9m deep
foundation:
9,371.61
2m deep
1.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
13,351.46
1.9m deep
foundation:
12,818.55
3m deep
2.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
16,798.40
2.9m deep
foundation:
16,265.49
1m deep
0.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
13,741.47
0.9m deep
foundation:
13,088.81
150 m
2m deep
1.3m deep
foundation
and
footing:
17,962.94
1.9m deep
foundation:
17,310.28
150 m
3m deep
2.3 deep
foundation
and
2.9m deep
foundation:
21,531.75
100 m
100 m
150 m
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footing:
22,184.41
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Advice Costs
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