Good afternoon, dear guests!
A concrete or concrete base is a leveling layer of lean concrete without any reinforcement. It is carried out directly on the ground without significant requirements for increased strength, but with the necessary surface evenness and integrity.
The foundation is placed under various monolithic structures that are made on the ground: foundations, road slabs, special tanks, pools, etc.
The recommended thickness is 100 mm, but with a stone (rocky) base, a decrease to 50-70 mm is allowed. The class of concrete in the production of the leveling layer varies from B7.5 to B10, which corresponds to the M100 and M150 grades.
Efficiency
When making an estimate, the customer usually has a reasonable question, footing or sand? The first thing that catches your eye is that the foundation is an extra technological process that takes time and resources (to knead, pour, wait 3-5 days for the necessary hardening). And despite the low-quality concrete, it is still cash costs and the burying of the n-th amount.
At first glance, this is so, but if you make a comprehensive calculation of financial costs, then in the end, even spending these 3-5 days - the foundation pays off and even in the end we get a gain in time, getting the following advantages:
1. Virtually flat surface that provides:
- convenience of performing any markup;
- convenience in the production of a reinforcing cage (layout without distortions and nothing is sunk into the ground);
- ensuring the same protective layer for reinforcement throughout the entire structure area;
- convenience of fastening formwork and various panels, since the anchors are held very securely.
All of the above provides a very high speed of work, and it is impossible to do anything like this quickly and evenly on the ground! Therefore, having spent resources on the foundation, we will compensate for this further by performing the basic structure with high quality!
2. Waterproofing
When performing structures with increased requirements for waterproofing (basement, pool), - with a footing made - roll waterproofing rolls out many times faster, and what is important - smoother.
On the ground, there is always a chance to pierce it with sticks, stones, twigs. Due to the unevenness of the base, the material is jammed, tucked, and these are defects.
3. Concrete volume
Accurate calculation of the concrete mix allows you not to throw 1-2% on the error in volume when ordering (calculation without taking into account the error of unevenness of the base)
4. Weather
When performing work in a "wet" period - the foundation is not washed out, and, accordingly, the base stays level and minimizes the dirt that builders usually "knead" in the trench or pit.
5. Saving on the working area
Due to the decrease in the protective layer of concrete, with large volumes of the structure, the foundation allows you to save money. As an example, the protective layer is taken not 7 cm, but remains equal to 4 cm, as a result, the working section is increased, and by recalculating the structure, you can save a little on reinforcement.
Summary
Summing up, we can say that the foundation - indeed, at the beginning of work - requires costs, but after the construction stage for the construction of the main structure - it pays off both in the speed of work and in financial costs. This fact has been verified!
I would be glad if the article helped you. Thanks for attention!
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