Foundation
The foundation is a structural element the task of which is to transfer the building loads to the ground. Single-family homes are usually seated on a traditional direct foundation. When the building design is simple and the ground substrate is good, the foundation is usually made in the form of reinforced concrete retaining base, or concrete retaining base finished with foundation walls. This type of structure is the most common in case of single-family housing.
The depth of seating is from 0.8 m to 1.4 m below the ground level and depends on the ground freezing zone in which the investment planned is located. If the ground conditions are good, it is possible to omit building the underlay for the retaining base in the form of a 10 cm layer of lean concrete. If the ground conditions are unfavourable, it is possible to build a monolithic foundation. In this case it has the form of a reinforced concrete slab located under the surface of the whole building. Foundation slabs are usually 20 – 30 cm thick and are densely reinforced.
In the event of implementation of an individual home design or adaptation of a ready-made design it is necessary for an authorised geologist to carry out soil studies. This enables for the establishment of the groundwater table depth and provides information on ground quality. If the ground conditions turn out to be unfavourable, it is a signal to the Investor that it is necessary to incur additional expenses on water insulation. This kind of knowledge is invaluable prior to creating the building design, as it allows, for example, to adjust certain design solutions or exclude building basement.