Footing Systems Part A
Footing Systems Part A
Footing Systems Part A
Footings transfer building loads onto foundations. House design and shape must be designed before footing design can occur.
AS2870 is based upon inspecting site to determine soil type and designing footing to suit both foundation and structure to be built.
Footing construction
New footings are constructed from reinforced concrete in accordance with designs set out in AS 2870 or engineering principles. Steel is extremely strong in tension and compression but it rusts. Concrete is extremely strong in compression but relatively weak in tension. It covers the steel and protects it from moisture in the ground. Together they produce a composite material which is strong in compression and tension, easily shaped and durable.
Steel is always placed in areas of tension in all reinforced concrete members to stop the concrete cracking under load. As the ground can heave upwards steel is required in the top of beams as well as the bottom. The centre line through a beam is in a state of neutrality and hence requires no reinforcing.
For domestic (residential housing) purposes steel is available in the following forms:
Trench Mesh
Trench mesh -e.g. previously 3 - 8TM (now called 3L-8TM) - 3 bars of 8mm diameter steel connected by cross wires to form a fabric laid in trenches for strip footings. The number and diameter of bars varies. Comes in 6m lengths (strength of 500 Mpa).
Slab fabric
Slab fabric -e.g. previously called F62 (now SL 62)= fabric 6mm bars welded together in a 200mm square grid. Sheet size 2.4m X 6.0m. Available in 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, mm diameter bar sizes (strength of 500 Mpa). Slab fabric is also available in rectangular grids. Common sizes are RL918 (9mm bars at 100mm centres and 8mm bars at 200 centres) and RL1018 (10mm bars at 100mm centres and 8mm bars at 200 centres).
Bars
Bars -e.g. R10 = round 10mm diameter bar. Now called N10 -e.g. Y16 (now called DN16) = deformed bar 16mm diameter D= Deformed bar N = Normal ductility L= low ductility Bars can be ordered cogged (bent) to suit but must be transportable. Maximum length about 12 -14 metres.
Pad footings
Also called blob footings. Is a solid mass of concrete ( no reo) laid in ground to support brick, timber or steel piers / posts. Commonly used to support timber floor frames. With reo and engineering design can be used to support suspended concrete floors . Details: Brickwork not acceptable Reo (if used) requires 40mm concrete cover. Suitable for A, S, M, H class sites. Sizes for pads is given in AS1684 Timber Framing code - size subject to area and load of floors. Minimum 400 x 400 x 200 high.
Strip footing
Reinforced strip of concrete laid in trench in ground. Used to support continuous brick walls. Typically 300mmm deep x 300 400mm wide. Size and orientation vary with foundation types. Process: Dig trench with backhoe or by hand. Tie up reinforcing cage. Lay reinforcing (reo) in trench. Support reo cage to ensure required concrete cover all round. Pour concrete and allow to cure before loading. Details: Reo requires 40mm concrete cover. Lapping of bars min. 500mm or full width at T and L intersections. Stepping techniques - see As 2870 Clause 5.4.3 Suitable for A, S, M, H class sites.