Steel Building: 4 Different Types of Foundations are Effective
Steel buildings are extremely popular because of their durability. These can last up to 50 years, which is far longer than most other construction materials. One of the first steps you take when preparing your metal constructions is to design the foundation of buildings because, for such buildings, it will define the remainder of the development and construction processes. Discussed below are some types of foundations used in the construction of steel buildings.
Pad Foundation
You may have heard the terms “pad foundation” or “spread footings” before, but what do they mean?
A pad foundation is a small and relatively inexpensive solution for buildings with low load requirements. It is typically used in areas where soil conditions are poor or unsuitable for other foundations. It is commonly used on small structures such as commercial garages and sheds. Pad foundations are also often used to reduce cost when constructing small steel buildings in seismic zones where there is no requirement for heavy-duty footings.
Pile Foundation
Pile foundations are used in areas where the ground is unsuitable for other foundations, such as high water tables and soft soils. Piles can be driven into the ground to create a solid base for your steel building. The type of metal used in these piles depends on the soil conditions – typically, 14 or 16-gauge galvanized carbon steel is used for softer soils, and 18-gauge galvanized carbon steel for harder soils.
Piles can also be driven into the frozen ground to help stabilize during construction and removed once the building is complete.
Strip Foundation
A strip foundation is a concrete slab that is placed on the ground. The strip base is used in areas with a good soil base, and bedrock or boulders are not present.
The size of the strip foundation depends on the load capacity required by your steel building. The area between the two beams must be filled with compacted gravel before pouring concrete for a strip foundation. If you want to build an attractive structure, this type of foundation may not be suitable for you since it will become visible once you place your steel building on top of it.
Always consider buying such bases from a reputed dealer with an excellent understanding of several construction bases. Go for one with multiple professional engineers and workers to get your construction done within less time.
Pier Foundation
A pier foundation is one of the most common types of steel foundation of buildings. To understand how it is installed, you must first understand what a pier is. A pier can be made of concrete or metal, but in either case, it’s a solid base that supports heavy loads. In general, piers are used to support buildings with high loads, like warehouses.
Piers are positioned on top of the ground surface rather than sunk into the ground like footings. This allows them to bear more weight over more extensive areas without going deeper into your yard or property, as you might need when using another type of foundation, such as beam-on-grade foundation (BOG).
Conclusion
An experienced structural engineer installs all such bases mentioned above. The base choice for your steel building depends on the type of soil where the structure will be located. It is essential to understand that you may need different types of foundations depending on whether the ground is solid or soft and if there are any obstructions in the ground beneath your building site. When choosing a foundation system, consider cost, longevity, and ease of installation factors.
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