Foundations

Danger Phoenix

Danger Phoenix

Danger Phoenix

Soldato
Joined
21 Jul 2004
Posts
6,360
Location
Harrow, UK
We are having a building built at the back of our garden (7m by 5m and 1.8m ceiling height)... and for the last week the workers have been digging a 4-5 foot trench for the foundations.

My Dads just been having a go at me because I didn't ask when they started filling the trench up with rocks and conrete, if they had put the wire meshing inside. Apparently they haven't, and I was wondering if it actually needs it :confused:

I mean, I thought the meshing was to stop it cracking under pressure or when knocked really hard... 2ft wide by 4-5ft deep concrete isn't going to need meshing is it?

:confused:
 
It is a general rule that the depth of the foundation will be equal to, or greater than, the distance from the front face of the wall to the edge of the foundation. This is indicated in the diagram below but the concrete depth will, never be less that 150mm. In some cases, reinforcing steel may be introduced into the strip foundation to allow a lesser depth of concrete. This will be a design situation. It must also be remembered that, if building the foundations in block work and/or brickwork, space must be found in the trench to stand and build. It is considered normal practice, in ground of the required bearing strength or better, to introduce concrete strip foundations of 600mm wide and 250mm deep. This will cover almost all eventualities in a domestic build and should only a single story be planned, the opportunity to extend vertically is not removed. The setting out of a building is made a great deal easier if the foundations are wider rather than narrower and allows for a margin of error in excavation. It is also worth noting that 600mm is a standard size for a digger bucket!

from http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/foundation project.htm
 
I am leaving it to the builders... but I was just asking because my Dad had asked if they were going to put meshing in there, and they said yes... but they haven't... and because I was at home, my Dad is having a go at me for not checking!
 
Next door neighbour has just had an extension

They went down about 2 foot, with no mesh or crap just concrete

Yours is fine :)
 
I don't know the English regs but Planning Permission and Building Warrant approval are two differnt consents that may be required. As you say its less than 30m2 so it doesn't need a Building Warrant.

Do you have any form of plans or drawings for the builders to follow?
 
Danger Phoenix said:
The building does not need planning permission or require the foundations to be inspected by the council because the internal area is less than 30m2
Click to expand...

It might not need planning permission but it WILL need building regulation and building control inspection.

p.s. I've never seen people filling foundation with mesh, news to me, i've built schools, houses, extentions, flats, entire housing estate.
 
Raymond Lin said:
p.s. I've never seen people filling foundation with mesh, news to me, i've built schools, houses, extentions, flats, entire housing estate.
Click to expand...


Cheers, thats all I wanted to hear! Stupid Dad having a go at me :mad:

The builders put some rocks at the bottom and then filled the whole trench with concrete:

10092006695ti3.jpg
 
Get your Dad to give your Agent a phone and ask him as thats what he has been paid to do. It is better to get it sorted now rather than when its all finished but will give you and your dad peace of mind either way.

It should be ok but your agent will know the project better.
 
Danger Phoenix said:
Hmm... well the local council haven't said anything about that. They may ask to look at it afterwards but they haven't said we need to do anything whilst its being built.


Here are all the plans that have been approved by the council:
http://maps.kingston.gov.uk/ImageVi...NO=05/12566/FUL&strHeader=Y&strCaseNo=0512566
Click to expand...


Those are just 1:100 scale planning drawings, there ought to be 1:50 scale "working drawings". I always do working drawings as you can fit a lot more detail into it and specify the materials and the way a wall/floor/roof is built.

Builders who's been in the trade for years can just do it off planning drawings as a lot of residiental houses are very similar. But to avoid any question of confusion and cover our backside i've always done 2 sets. 1:100 for planning and then when that's approved I (we rather as the architect) do a set of working drawings, which sent out to builders to get quotes (its call Tender as the trade term), at lesat 3 and usually the lowest one gets to built it.

You need the more detail drawings as the builder needs to work out how much its going to cost, you (the architect) specify the materials used (rockwood insulation, pilkington double glazing....etc), ways its constructed,
the more info the more accurate the tender will be.

Those plans don't have enough diamensions on the plans, you should never measure off the drawing with a scale ruler, that's asking for trouble. Hence we've always put diamensions on all the critical lengths and height. And i don't seee the foundation in the section either.

Saying that, it is a planning drawing so it's perfectly acceptable, but it is not enough for working drawings.

That said, i've seen worst drawings that got passed planning.
 
What is it they are actually building? A detached garage or summer house? The foundations do seem easily strong enough for that anyway, you should be able to build a full on 2 storey house with those foundations. I Have never heard of putting meshing in residential foundations either, maybe an office building of a few floors or a building for heavy work but not something the size your saying.
 
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