Foundation Guidance Please

[inphx]

All,

I have read with interest many of your posts on home to garage ratios and watched some of the builds go up on line. I am building a new residence with a 50x100 toy shop penciled in.

I selected a vendor for the steel building. I have had one done before (50x40).

I need plans for the foundation ASAP because i need to get some grading equipment on site. I would like to have a lift and also some anchor pots for occaisional frame straightening. I have an f250 and some old 70's cadillacs .. nothing heavier (for now).

I have a soils report and its non expansive with some granite sub surface so i think that is good.

The foundation contract is asking me:

Type of fill: ABC _____ or Other _____ <- any suggestions?

Type of reinforcement: Wire Mesh ___ Rebar ____ Fiber Mesh ____ <- what to pick and why?

Thickness of Slab Desired ____ <- is that 4 or 6 " or what?

Type of footing; Spread ____ Pier _____

What PSI ? _________________

What prep to allow for epoxy coating or to do polished (it seems expensive)?

When i ask the building vendor they seem to feel its a personal preference - all they offer me is "A spread footing is much less costly than a pier type footing; usually a fibre type reinforcing is less costly than steel re-bar."

I went the best "value" but will pay for what i need to have, I work for my money so i dont want to go overboard but i want it done correctly. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[Grumpy365]

Depends on soil conditions. Hire a local engineer.

 

[ConCretin]

Type of fill: ABC _____ or Other _____ <- any suggestions?

To be honest, I'm not familiar with 'ABC' or 'other' but a well compacted granular material is what you're looking for.

Type of reinforcement: Wire Mesh ___ Rebar ____ Fiber Mesh ____ <- what to pick and why?

Fiber is only good for preventing early age shrinkage cracks. Wire or rebar won't do much to prevent cracks but will hold cracks and control joints together. My choice would be rebar

Thickness of Slab Desired ____ <- is that 4 or 6 " or what?

A 4" slab is more than adequate if your sub base is adequate. It takes a very thick slab (8" plus) to make up for a poor sub base.

Type of footing; Spread ____ Pier _____

This really is a soils issue. If your contractor is asking, maybe you do need a geotech or engineer

What PSI ? _________________

If your floor contractor keeps the slump under control, 3000 psi is generally adequate.

What prep to allow for epoxy coating or to do polished (it seems expensive)?

The epoxy guys will have more on this, but many commercial projects are specifying a 'shark skin' finish for floors that will receive a floor covering. It is a step or two short of a hard troweled finish. It's a bit more 'open', which allows water to migrate out and provides a good bite for adhesives or epoxy.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your project

 

[inphx]

Thanks all. I asked for the 6 inch with rebar (add that to phrases you don't want to hear in prison)..

Dollar estimate a little complicated as site is overalid by scenic corridor and other native plant removal restrictions before grading.

 

[GOLF for LIFE]

I always overbuild so go with the most robust that you can afford.