What kind of reinforcement is needed for the ribbon foundation of the house?

Simple construction of the reinforcement plays a significant role when pouring the basement for the building. The strength of the foundation depends on the qualitative characteristics of the reinforcing bars, and hence the durability of the entire structure. What kind of reinforcement is needed for the ribbon foundation?

Foundation Characteristics

The construction of low-rise buildings assumes the presence of a strip foundation. Such a foundation is easy to construct, besides it is the most economical option. The advantage of the tape base is that it can be poured without the use of special construction equipment. In addition, this kind of foundation is capable of withstanding significant loads, which allows the construction of several floors.

Belt foundations can be divided into:

• Monolithic;
• Prefabricated structures;
• Shallow, suitable for the construction of structures made of wood and other light materials;
• Deep recessed, which are used in the structure of brick houses with two or three floors.

Depending on the desired result, it is necessary to correctly calculate the amount of concrete required as a foundation casting, as well as determine what kind of reinforcement is needed for the basement of the house.

Selection of the type of reinforcement

What kind of reinforcement is used for the strip foundation? To date, the most popular types of rods are:

1. Steel, with a diameter of at least 5 mm for transverse bars and 10 for longitudinal. The strength of the entire belt structure will depend on which brand the reinforcement is needed for the ribbon foundation. Apply steel bars of class A with a yield point of 400. Visually, the following differences in grades can be determined: A 240 has a smooth surface, A 300 an annular pattern, and A 400 a herringbone pattern. Use of rods of lower quality is impractical.
2. Fiberglass rods are resistant to corrosion, lack of electrical conductivity. Often such material is used for buildings where it is important to avoid radio interference. Strength of quality rods is not inferior to metal ones.

For laying the main longitudinal elements of the reinforcement, only rods with a ribbed surface are used, as this guarantees better adhesion to concrete. Smooth rods are used to create lateral bridges.

It is strictly prohibited to use the following materials as an armature:

• Metal pipes;
• Mesh-netting;
• Metal profile;
• Iron cables.

Failure to comply with the requirements for the reinforcement for the ribbon foundation can lead to subsidence of the base and further destruction of the entire structure.

Diameter of reinforcement for foundation

The diameter of the reinforcement for the strip foundation determines the subsequent strength of the entire structure. In order to correctly choose the desired size of the reinforcement, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the future structure. For example, the maximum diameter with a shallow base and a lightweight construction of the entire house will be a waste of funds. Often used valves for the basement of a house with a diameter of 8-12 mm, it is considered optimal for medium loads.

What parameters of the valve should be considered:

• The cross-sectional dimension of the steel rod shall be 0.1% of the base section area;
• When calculating the diameter, the length of the foundation tape and its width are taken into account;
• With a foundation length of more than 3 m, steel bars with a diameter of 10-12 mm are located longitudinally, while 5-6 mm is sufficient as a transverse reinforcement.

The diameter is determined individually, taking into account the features of the building - building material, dimensions, number of floors.

Standard reinforcement scheme

Once you have decided what kind of reinforcement is needed for the ribbon foundation of the house, you need to understand its installation. To do this, there is a universal reinforcement scheme, which is suitable for almost any structure on the ribbon foundation.

1. At the bottom of a previously excavated trench are laid bricks 5 cm high.
2. The bricks are laid longitudinally steel bars large diameter.
3. With a step of approximately 50 cm on the laid rods are fastened horizontal jumpers of smaller diameter.
4. Vertical rods are attached to the corners of the formed cells.
5. Towards the vertical reinforcement are attached long rods.

In order for the structure to be as strong as possible, the technology specified in SNiP 52-01-2003 should be followed.

The connection of the rods to each other can be carried out by welding or knitting with a wire. The second method is much more economical, although the quality is not inferior to classical welding. For its implementation, a binding wire is used, from which loops are formed. In them, rods are passed, after which the free edge of the wire is twisted several times. Significantly simplifies the task of using a special hook.

Strengthening corners

When building a reinforcing structure, due attention should be paid to strengthening the corners, which account for a greater amount of structural weight. Corner reinforcement is also made to prevent unwanted cracks or stretching of the structure.

Angle rods are not allowed to be perpendicular to each other, their corners must be folded. It is important to ensure the overlap and connect the radius elements of all the rods. The size of the overlap of the rods that are used in the corner zone should not exceed 25 cm. In the case of correct reinforcement of the corners during the filling of the trench with concrete, the reinforcing contour will not be destroyed.

Strengthening the different zones of the belt foundation requires a correct calculation of the number of steel rods. Its shortage can lead to the need to purchase the right amount of material, which threatens with a temporary delay in construction.

Calculation of the number of valves

The collection of the frame from the reinforcement for the ribbon foundation requires a careful calculation of the amount of material required. In order to maximally simplify the task and not to use complex calculation formulas, you can simply preliminarily determine the perimeter of the future design. Then, taking into account the number of rows of steel rods, the number of longitudinal rods is determined.

The amount of transverse reinforcement is calculated by taking into account the height of the tape and the pitch between the steel rods. When calculating the amount of necessary reinforcing material, the stock of material for the formation of joints between the rods should be added to the total quantity.

Filling the foundation

After determining which diameter of the reinforcement is needed for the tape foundation and its bundle, you can start pouring the foundation itself. The solution is important to mix thoroughly to a uniform consistency. If there is no way to do it yourself, you can order it ready.

Pouring must be done at a time, periodically poking the solution with a metal rod to avoid voids, which will significantly degrade the quality of the substrate.

The solution should dry naturally for several weeks with periodic wetting of the surface to prevent cracking of the concrete. Continue construction can only be a few weeks after pouring.

Necessity of reinforcement

Some builders question the need to reinforce the tape base, arguing that the quality concrete and without it has enough strength. However, it is not. The foundation without additional strengthening is unstable to the movements of the soil.

The reinforcing skeleton is used to distribute the load to the base, since different parts of the house can have different weights. Especially such a design is needed for the basement foundation, which will be support for a heavy brick building on several floors.

Purchase of material

You can start buying building materials. If you finally determined what kind of reinforcement is needed for the ribbon foundation. Rare steel bars are measured in running meters, as when calculating the right amount for construction. Sellers calculate the quantity in kilograms.

In order to correctly calculate the required weight of the building material, experts recommend using tables of GOST 5781-82 or GOST 2590-88, which indicates the weight of a single steel rod. The figures in both documents are the same, so the use of this or that GOST depends only on personal convenience.

The necessary tool for work

When building a strip base yourself, the following tools may be required:

• Water level, which is used in the construction of the ditch, it will help to level the walls strictly in the vertical position;
• For binding steel bars, pliers and cutters or a special knitting tool may be needed that will allow the work to be performed more quickly;
• A grinder or grinder equipped with diamond cutting wheels for cutting steel rods;
• For the assembly of wooden formwork you will need a hammer, a screwdriver, as well as long nails or screws;
• For self mixing of concrete solution it may be necessary to use a concrete mixer that will achieve a uniform consistency, and also save considerable time and effort, if not, you can order ready-made mortar with delivery or knead by hand using a large trough and shovel.

In addition to these tools, you may need ancillary equipment - buckets, trowels, shovels, a wheelbarrow. Often they are purchased as needed.

A competent structure of the frame for the tape base allows to significantly increase the operational life of the building. Also, you will not need to carry out frequent repairs that may be needed in connection with the destruction of an incorrectly erected building.