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Builder’s Foundation Handbook Download this Manual NOW, before it disappears! This handbook is a product of the U.S. Department of Energy Building Envelope Systems and Materials (BTESM) Research Program centered at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The major objective of this research is to work with builders, contractors, and building owners to facilitate the reality of cost-effective energy efficient walls, roofs, and foundations on every building. This handbook is one of a dozen tools produced from the BTESM Program aimed at relevant design information in a usable form during the decision-making process.

Self build home: the foundations: Foundations are, unsurprisingly, an essential part of any home on self build land. They provide a level base for the house and a means by which the many tons of materials that comprise the self build home and transmitted to and distributed to the ground.

Foundation Guide: Laying foundations for any building is the most vital aspect of the project to get right. Please view our guide to laying timber building foundations using the Swift Plinth foundation system. And, you will see just how simple and effective this revolutionary DIY foundation system is. Timber Building Foundation Guide

Timber Formwork & Timber Formwork 2 The formwork serves as mould for concrete structural components unless such mould is provided by the soil, other structural components, etc. It moulds the freshly poured concrete, which in this stage normally is viscous, to the shape specified in the drawing.

Surveying & Layout  A surveyor is used to mark the lot lines, the excavation lines and to establish a grade. The surveyor is able to establish property lines from coordinates provided by the city/county maps. Surveyors use an instrument called a theodolite to establish property lines.
After the property lines are established, the surveyor can mark the excavation and grade lines according to the plot plan.

Plane Surveying: Construction Layout [PDF] This is sort of a student guide for layout & surveying which may be of some help. Here's another different one.

Foundation Drainage Improper drainage around the foundation is a major cause of leaking foundations. When a drainage system is used in residential construction, it is usually a combination of a gravel drainage layer with a foundation drain, made of either a drain tile or perforated PVC pipe. However, as drainage occurs, small soil particles can plug up the drainage path, compromising the drainage system. Water pressure then builds up and eventually causes leakage through the foundation wall.

Concrete Construction Concrete is a strong and inexpensive construction material when it is properly prepared and used. This introduction explains the importance of a good mixture and describes the materials used in the mixture & making/using forms.

Treated Wood Foundations can be used when you build a new home. But wood foundations may not last as long as a concrete or concrete block foundation. A permanent wood foundation must have the right mix of chemicals to ensure it never rots or is eaten by termites.

Foundation Drain Tile is a critical component in new construction. This pipe and the clean gravel that surrounds it quickly moves water away from your foundation. If water is not drawn away from a foundation, it can leak into a basement or crawlspace.

Removing Foundation Tar is not easy. It can also be dangerous. Do not use solvents like gasoline, paint thinner or mineral spirits because of the extreme fire danger.

Foundation Cracks that are both vertical and horizontal are often serious. Cracks in a foundation are often caused by poor building methods.

Pier Foundations resemble wood decks or a common table. The actual foundation is a series of vertical columns that transfer the building load to the soil. Beams are built on top of the vertical columns that hold up the walls of the house or structure. These specialized foundations work great around trees or in other locations where it is difficult to dig a traditional foundation.

Backfilling a Foundation Wall Foundation walls are one of the most important structural elements of your home. They must be strong and supported well before you place vast amounts of heavy soil against them. The backfill soil can quickly crack or push in a concrete wall that is not strong enough to resist the force of the dirt.

Wood vs. Poured Concrete Foundations Poured wall foundations and wood can coexist together for a beautiful finished basement. Poured wall foundations provide permanence that wood foundations sometimes do not. The wood can be used for the floor trusses with wood I joists that span large distances without structural beams in your basement.

Thickness of Poured Concrete Foundation Walls Poured concrete foundation walls come in all sizes, thicknesses, heights and widths. As concrete gets taller, it must get thicker. All of these dimensions are interrelated.

Inspecting a House: Foundations, Structural Supports, and Decks Learn to distinguish problems that are cosmetic from problems that are structural — by Rex Cauldwell

Graphic Guide to Site Construction: Grading and Drainage Principles Guidelines for preventing erosion and directing water away from the house — by Rob Thallon and Stan Jones

Habitat for Humanity How to Build a House: Foundation Fundamentals Establishing a sound connection between the house, the foundation, and the earth is crucial. These foundation fundamentals can help get you started. — by Larry Haun

Soil: The Other Half of the Foundation Understanding the stuff the house sits on may prevent cost overruns, callbacks and neighborhood gossip — by Robert M. Felton

Waterproofing Foundations Damproofing and waterproofing should not be confused. Damproofing, a liquid asphalt, does not waterproof the foundation. Hot asphalt and rubber coating and an insulating panel will fully protect your foundation.

Leveling Sand and Gravel The gravel or sand base beneath concrete, flagstone, blacktop, or any other finish material must often be very accurate. If you have too much base material in place, the finish material can be too thin. If you have too little base material in, you can waste expensive concrete or worse yet, come up short! You can learn quickly how to install and level sand or gravel by reading this column.

Connecting a New Foundation to an Old One Soil stability is extremely important for foundations. Connections between foundations, no matter how strong, depend on soil and footers for strength. For waterproofing, apply special waterproofing compounds to the exterior of the finished foundation.

Settlement Cracks or Shrinkage Settlement cracks can occur in a concrete foundation wall or concrete slab shortly after being poured. But most concrete cracks are caused by shrinkage. Soil quality, footer design and steel reinforcements can all help prevent cracks.

Foundation Tricks for Waterproof Homes If you are building a home that has brick or stone that needs the support of the foundation, a flat foundation may not be a wise choice. A ledge can be poured so your masonry sits above it to prevent water from leaking in.

Poured Concrete vs. Block Walls A concrete block foundation can be stronger than a poured concrete foundation. They differ in the size of gravel used, and that concrete blocks are hollow while poured concrete is solid. Reinforcing steel can be used to strengthen either material.

Foundation Cracks A large foundation crack is a serious matter. Professional engineers who understand foundations need to be brought in. Once the foundation has stopped its differential movement, you then repair the cracks.

Foundation Choices Are Many The foundation of your home is important. An extra 20 inches of concrete will give you full-height eight foot finished ceilings in your basement. You could also get a slab on grade or crawl space basement.

Minimize Cracks while Pouring Concrete Pouring concrete that fights cracking is possible if you follow my tips. Watch the amount of water added to concrete as it can cause shrinkage. Those "decorative" lines in your concrete are there as control joints to keep concrete from cracking. Rebar or reinforcing steel and a solid base will help your concrete fight cracks

Foundation Waterproofing & Drain Tile Systems Exterior foundation waterproofing treatments vary greatly. Most foundations are damproofed. Drain tile systems, if installed correctly, will keep your foundation waterproof for years to come. Here are some drain tile installation pointers about backfilling and preventing ponding.

Reinforcing Steel in Concrete Rebar or reinforcing steel in concrete is a great step for a lifetime of beautiful walkways and driveways. Make sure that your contractor gets concrete mix that is specific to the job and that no water is added to this mix. Your concrete needs to cure correctly...read on

Precast Concrete Foundation Companies Precast concrete foundations are sold by many companies. These precast concrete wall systems have seen an explosion in popularity. Here is a list of some precast foundation walls companies.

Precast Concrete Walls Precast concrete foundations are ideal for residential and commercial construction. Precast concrete walls are energy efficient, can be constructed in one day and are reinforced with steel rods. Precast concrete foundation wall panels are growing in popularity because of this.

Precast Concrete Foundation Walls Precast concrete foundations have many advantages. They don't need footers poured and cured in a controlled factory. They can be installed in less than a day and are bolted together and then waterproofed.

Insulated Concrete Forms Insulated concrete forms are a new technology used to build substantial homes. ICF technology will likely grow in popularity and take its place as a standard construction material akin to drywall and plywood. ICF homes use sturdy ICF foam forms stacked together and filled with concrete. The resulting new home is incredibly strong, quiet and you can heat and cool it effortlessly.

Foundation Drain Tile & Backfilling Tips Waterproofed foundations are seemingly waterproof, but asphalt spray only damp proofs your home. Drain tile installation can help your foundation stay dry. Proper foundation backfill is also crucial in helping your retaining walls stay strong.

Concrete and Cold Weather Jello® and concrete - you both mix a solid with a liquid in order to get the final product, right? But while Jello® uses the coldness of the refrigerator to harden, concrete actually slows hardening in cold temperatures. This can be disastrous if you don't take the right precautions. Read about why this happens in the following bulletin.

Cold Weather Concrete Installation Pouring concrete in cold weather can be successful if precautions are taken with the weather and the temperature of the ground. Don't pour concrete on frozen soil. Take care with your finishing techniques-- don't let water sit on top of the slab. Use plastic and insulated blankets after the final finish.

Piering Foundations - Lifting and Pushing When foundations drop, there are many reasons for the failure. Clay dirt has shrinkage and swell properties that can lead to foundation cracks. Foundations that suffer from other forms of settlement can be repaired using several methods: underpinning, steel pipe piers with support brackets or helical piers.

Ways to Stabilize Your House Foundation House foundations are now stablized using helical piers instead of underpinning which is labor intensive. Foundation drainage pipes also aid in controlling water flow around your foundation. Sometimes settlement cracks are simply a cause of lumber shrinkage and not foundation problems.

Analyzing Foundation Cracks Knowing the reasons for cracks in foundation will help with foundation crack repair. The following foundation cracks are described first by their appearance and then by their probable cause.

Reinforcing Steel in Concrete Steel and concrete are natural partners. Commercial and industrial builders use these two materials all the time. However, residential builders frequently use little or no steel. What a mistake! The shame is that this steel is so inexpensive. You can purchase a 20 foot 1/2 inch reinforcing steel bar for $3.25 and have amazing, strong results in your concrete.

Poured Concrete & Concrete Block Walls Basement walls made of poured concrete or concrete block really act as retaining walls for a home. Concrete block construction and poured foundations withstand enormous amounts of tension forces. Use reinforcing steel to strengthen the foundation walls.

Residential Foundations Tips If you want a strong residential foundation, make sure you follow the tips below. Use reinforcing steel, don't backfill too soon and leave poured concrete forms in place a couple days after pouring concrete.

Poured Concrete Walls vs. Concrete Block Concrete block was used to build thousands of basement foundation walls in Cincinnati and other parts of the nation in the 1950's building boom. Many of the builders and block layers failed to realize that block mortar typically only has 1/3 the strength in tension as concrete. Those block walls have a long horizontal crack in the bed joint about four feet from the floor. But you can build block walls that withstand the test of time.

Tips to Minimize Water Infiltration Water infiltration in a foundation can cause all sorts of problems. A waterproof foundation leads to a structurally sound home. Backfilling too soon and too aggressively can cause foundation cracks that weaken your house. Also, make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation. Pipe water from sump pumps away from the home.

Waterproof Foundation & Damp Proofing A waterproof foundation is essential for any residential home. Many foundations, however, are not completely waterproofed. Damp proofing a foundation simply slows down the water penetration and does not completely waterproof a foundation.

Exterior Foundation Wall Waterproofing If you want a truly waterproof foundation, use the right products and a good drainage system. Damproofing products are generally asphalt or tar based compounds sprayed on the foundation. Waterproofing compounds are different.

Foundation Drain Tile Installation  Foundation drainage systems are one of the most important aspects of residential construction. Installing drainage systems are also one of the most misunderstood aspects. Because these systems are usually deeply buried and cannot be easily modified or corrected, it is vitally important that they are installed correctly. Foundation drainage systems which are installed properly can serve a dual roll.

House Foundations & Footings House foundations and residential footings are crucial to the success of a building. Footings and foundations, when properly designed, withstand all the forces of a house. These foundation footings should be constructed from durable materials.

Forces Harmful to House Foundation & Footers House foundations and footers are subject to all sorts of forces which can cause them to fail. Cracks in concrete footings could possibly lead to collapse of the entire structure. Among the forces acting on residential footings and foundations are gravity, soil swelling and frost heaving.

Structural Alternatives for House Foundations & Footings Two structural alternatives to house foundations and footings are piles and piers. Piles are driven deep into soil while piers are columns cemented into the ground. In certain soil conditions, these two alternatives may be best to use.

Footing/Foundation Importance A patio slab that doesn't have a foundation shouldn't have a structure built on top of it. Foundations protect structures from frost heaving that could crack the slab.

Ordering Concrete & Concrete Calculator

DESIGN GUIDE FOR FROST-PROTECTED SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS A frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is a practical alternative to deeper, more-costly foundations in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave. Figure 1 shows an FPSF and a conventional foundation. An FPSF incorporates strategically placed insulation to raise the frost depth around a building, thereby allowing foundation depths as shallow as 16 inches, even in the most severe climates. The most extensive use has been in the Nordic countries, where over one million FPSF homes have been constructed successfully over the last 40 years. The FPSF is considered standard practice for residential buildings in Scandinavia. The objective of this design guide is to assist U.S. builders, designers, code officials, and others in employing the technology. Huge article.

Three Types of Foundations All information about footings is from Sunset Books "Sheds and Garages".

Concrete Calculator For slab & footing pours. Simply enter the dimensions of your pour & it will calculate the # of cubic yards of mix you will need.

Slab Special considerations when calculating the amount of concrete needed for slabs (including odd shapes)

Footing Special considerations when calculating the amount of concrete needed for footings

Why Build a High Quality Slab on Grade

Make Sure the Subgrade is Compact Excavations beneath the slab that are not to be filled with concrete (usually plumbing or other mechanical trenches) should be brought back to grade in compacted lifts.

Use a Low Water-to-Cement Ratio-- How to Calculate Water to Cement Ratio’s A low water to cement ratio is the number one issue effecting concrete quality.

Properly Curing Concrete Slabs

The Three Types of Foundations A traditional foundation method to support a structure in an area where the ground freezes. A footing is placed below the frost line and then the walls are added on top. The footing is wider than the wall, providing extra support at the base of the foundation. A T-shaped foundation is placed and allowed to cure; second, the walls are constructed; and finally, the slab is poured between the walls.

A case for allowing the time in the schedule to water cure After concrete is placed, the concrete increases in strength very quickly for a period of 3-7 days. Concrete which is moist cured for 7 days is about 50% stronger than uncured concrete.

Be active in deciding where control joints will be placed Jointing is often not taken seriously enough and the "sawcutter" comes to your job and puts the cuts where he feels they belong or where it is convenient for him.

The Foundation Construction Process Sunlight Homes Provides and excellent construction diary of the homebuilding process. Within this diary is excellent information on building a foundation with insulated stemwalls and radiant heating.

Preventing Concrete Cracks One of the most common questions received on ConcreteNetwork.Com is about cracks that are developing in newly poured concrete. The homeowner will question why it is cracking and did they receive a shoddy job.

"Living with Expansive Soils- A Guide to Foundation Maintenance." Expansive soils can create damaging movements shrink and swell to foundations and structures. These movements originate from changes in soil moisture. Providing uniform soil moisture next to and under your foundation is the single best thing you can have to reduce or minimize the effect expansive soil movements have on your structure.

Differential settlement is the real enemy: Soil, The Other Half of the Foundation Understanding the stuff the house sits on may prevent cost overruns, callbacks and neighborhood gossip

Tips For Crack-Free Concrete Slabs from Journal of Light Construction a group of construction tips to help towards preventing cracks, and tips regarding cracking from the Troubleshooting Newsletters printed by the American Society of Concrete Contractors, which since 1986 has printed these bulletins from hotline questions asked by their members.

Cold Weather Concrete Installation Concrete installation in cold weather can be successful if your contractor follows a few guidelines. Do no pour concrete on frozen ground. Mix concrete with hot water, pre-heated sand and gravel and add extra cement. Use a liquid curing compound and insulated blankets.

When to Protect Fresh Concrete From Freezing from ASCC Cold-weather clauses can be found in many specifications.  For example ACI 318, “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete,” says: “Adequate equipment shall be provided for heating concrete materials and protecting concrete during freezing or near-freezing weather.” 

Concrete Contractors: Find A Concrete Product Supplier or Distributor

Foundation Repair Foundation settlement and movement requiring foundation repair can be caused by building on expansive clay, compressible or improperly compacted fill soils, or improper maintenance around foundations.

Basement Crack Repair As most homeowners with poured-in-place concrete foundations can attest: Cracks in basement walls are a fact of life. These cracks—due to drying shrinkage, thermal movement, and other causes—usually are minor and result in few problems. But over time, even minor cracks can grow larger and cause big headaches, such as loss of structural integrity or, more commonly, water leakage.

Foundation Waterproofing When plans call for dry basement living space, a membrane or liquid can do the job — if it’s installed right

Repairing Bowed Basement Walls Fortunately, it’s possible to rescue settled foundations by using hydraulically driven piles or piers. But what about those bowed, cracked walls? How do you salvage their structural strength and prevent further movement without turning the basement into a war zone of steel support beams?

Tridipanel : Insteel 3D panel system prefabricated polystyrene wire mesh panels. Tridipanel is an alternative building system using prefabricated polystyrene panels with wire mesh. It becomes a structural wall when concrete, gunnite, Portland cement, plaster and stucco are shotcreted into place. Environmentally friendly, withstands extreme temperatures, earthquake tested and a recycled green product.

Building Your Concrete Home: Part 1 An overview of the different concrete home building methods. BY CAROLE MCMICHAEL. For years, stick-built has been the overwhelming building method of choice; even today, it comes in at about 85 percent of the market. Still, magazine and book racks in building supply stores are bulging with information on other methods home buyers can consider in deciding which one best suits their needs, tastes and budget

Securing the foundation secures the home. Codes are developed to provide assurance that structures are designed and constructed to withstand the test of time, not only for life safety but also for long-term durability. Yet codes can also be so complex that implementation causes struggles that delay or, worse yet, halt work.

Waterproofing: A Strong Foundation Different types of above- and below-grade foundation systems waterproof new homes. Today's homeowners have different and specific needs in how their homes are designed and constructed

Concrete Foundations Must Be Strong Concrete foundations need to be durable to support the building that is built above. Concrete foundation repair can become very expensive after the entire building is constructed.

Soil Testing for New Homes Soil strength and quality are extremely important when building a new home since most house foundations contact soil, not bedrock. Not all soils are the same, so it is vital you get a valid soil test and inspection.

Basement Insulation Basement insulation may help keep your first floor warmer. Is insulation added to basement ceilings between the floor joists worthwhile? Insulation slows heat transfer, but choosing to insulate your basement ceiling is not the most efficient. Basement wall insulation may be the answer.

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