Mono Slab & Frost

[Crazy68Dart]

Hi, I have seen a few guys in northern climates that use a mono slab. Does this work, isn't frost a concern? I am in NE Ohio and still working on a garage design, layout, etc.

I will more than likely go pole, but just wanted to ask.

Also, I want to insulate. With a pole and framed in between, is there any concern of the pad lifting during the winter and "binding" the framed in portion since it sits on the slab? Poles won't move since they are set below the frost line.

Thanks.

 

[Iowa Mark]

It will depend, a great deal, on what is under the slab. I have a 16' x 20' outbuilding that sits on an 18" gravel base with a perimeter thickened edge, rebar and stranded reinforcing mixed into the concrete. It was not sawed and still is without a crack from frost heave. The place where I work was built on a clay base and the garage doors get jammed up in the winter from the ground jacking about 3 inches. The clay retains moisture and the gravel drains the moisture away. I live in northwest Iowa where I have seen below zero for weeks straight.

 

[TOOL_MONGER]

Its called a 'floating'' slab. Frost heave lifts/moves the slab as a unit. If you are planning on heating it for long periods most places require frost footings...

 

[Crazy68Dart]

Its called a 'floating'' slab. Frost heave lifts/moves the slab as a unit. If you are planning on heating it for long periods most places require frost footings...

Can you explain this? Thanks.

Also, anyone have any thoughts/experience on the framing inside poles question?

 

[Crazy68Dart]

 

[Iowa Mark]

As the ground freezes, the moisture in it expands. Since it can't, for the most part, travel laterally, it move vertically. If you place your supports down below the frost line (footings) the frost is not under them to drive things up and slides along the sides of the foundation walls. If the walls are insulated and temperatures above freezing are maintained inside that area, the floor will stay put. If the ground under the floor is allowed to freeze, it will rise and fall with the freezing ground. Kind of like a boat on water. Floating, so to speak.

 

[Crazy68Dart]

I understand the dynamics of it all. Sorry, I was more interested in this comment:

" If you are planning on heating it for long periods most places require frost footings..."

Thanks.

 

[Gary S]

Floating slabs work great here, but we get down to only around -45 degrees in winter, and the ground seldom freezes down to 6 feet.

People love to worry about the things that don't matter.

 

[walrus]

Hi, I have seen a few guys in northern climates that use a mono slab. Does this work, isn't frost a concern? I am in NE Ohio and still working on a garage design, layout, etc.

I will more than likely go pole, but just wanted to ask.

Also, I want to insulate. With a pole and framed in between, is there any concern of the pad lifting during the winter and "binding" the framed in portion since it sits on the slab? Poles won't move since they are set below the frost line.

Thanks.

I'm in Maine.I'm built on a slab,no frost walls, its heated, no issues. But I'm also on 4 to 5 feet of gravel that was there for 20 years Before I built on it.

Ice lenses in frost susceptible soil are you enemy if using a straight slab on grade. the right soil means uh oh or no issues, just depends on prep before you pour

 

[Crazy68Dart]

I suppose local building codes play a role too. I've talked to quite a few guys and none mentioned a slab foundation, although I went in thinking pole building.

The slab seems nice because it simplifies the build in terms of the framing, just using standard 16 on center etc. instead of having to frame between poles.

I expect a slab is more expensive than pole foundation but less than a "typical" poured footer / block wall design? Probably a lot of variables there too, so this may not be true.

 

[pima67]

You could use a frost free foundation as described here: http://www.toolbase.org/Design-Cons...sign-Guide-Frost-Protected-Shallow-Foundation

 

[Rookie2]

I poured my slab i/s the pole building with insulation under and around the perimeter. If you want to heat the building any other slab will **** your heat out .