How to Design Concrete Foundation for a Construction Project?

Any structure, whether a home, office or a garage is only as safe as the foundation on which it rests! A strong and stable concrete foundation requires prior planning and detailed study of the specifics and design constraints.

Generally concrete foundations will be of either a shallow or deep design. A shallow design foundation is set approximately 3 feet into the soil. In spread footing design concrete pads extends below the frost line and transmit load from the walls to the earth. A deep foundation is normally more complicated and is used in cases when soil conditions are feeble (such as hilly areas, flood zone, etc). A deep foundation transfers load from the structure through a weak top soil layer down into a stronger layer.

Deep foundations can be made from reinforced or pre-tensioned concrete, steel or wood. A deep foundation invades the rock layer in some cases, so a foundation engineer is definitely needed!

Shallow foundations are generally used for residential homes, offices and garages. It requires good planning, compliance to local building codes and careful considerations. For example, if you have plans to add features in like radiant floor heating or filtered drainage system in future then these will need to be installed during construction of the foundation.

Also keep in mind that regional or county officials may visit your site throughout the process, so ensure that you adhere to the guidelines of local inspection codes, obtain written permissions and be ready with soil, engineering and seismic reports before you start the project.

A garage foundation is normally built up of concrete block or a poured concrete wall. First of all clear, rub and level construction site. Then dig channels below grade for your footings. Ensure to comply with local building code guidelines.

If you want to see some samples of concrete foundation designs email us at info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com

Also contact us at http://www.outsourcestructuraldrafting.com/contact.php for more information.

About The Author Richard Bose is structural engineer at OSD - an India based structural engineering consultant offering full services such as structural drafting, shop drawings and structural design services at affordable rates. Email us at info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com; Visit us at http://www.outsourcestructuraldrafting.com