Foundation prep: formwork, reinforcement, concrete mix, and structural strength.
Setting the Underground Part of the Foundation
When preparing to build a house, many nuances must be taken into account.
For example, when laying the foundation it's better to plan in advance the locations for the heating system and water supply inlets.
Consider which heating radiators to buy with the future project in mind.
After all, the materials used largely dictate to the builder the type of radiators and the material they should be made of.
In any case, the most important thing when preparing to build a house is the foundation. The underground part of the foundation is important because it acts as a cushion for the house, providing resistance to settlement and forming the future base for brickwork. The quality of the lower part of the foundation will largely determine whether the house is earthquake-resistant, how well it will withstand mechanical effects from the external environment, and help reduce the rate of foundation corrosion.
In any case, the most important thing when preparing to build a house is the foundation. The underground part of the foundation is important because it acts as a cushion for the house, providing resistance to settlement and forming the future base for brickwork. The quality of the lower part of the foundation will largely determine whether the house is earthquake-resistant, how well it will withstand mechanical effects from the external environment, and help reduce the rate of foundation corrosion.
Of course, first of all you need to prepare the formwork; it goes without saying that you should dig an excavation to the size and shape of the foundation.
Formwork for the foundation can be made yourself using long wooden boards; however, prefabricated formwork panels, available on the market in many varieties, can also be used. Inside the formwork a so-called "armopoyas" (reinforcement belt) is assembled, i.e., reinforcing elements. As load-bearing elements it is best to use thick rebar, but for creating the frame a galvanized reinforcing mesh is sufficient. If laying a rubble-concrete foundation is desired, rubble stones should be placed inside the formwork.
For preparing the cement mortar it is best to sieve all bulk materials using a fine-mesh woven sieve for cement and sand, and a rabitz (wire) mesh with small cells for sieving gravel.
It is better to use a stiff concrete mix: 1 part cement, 4 parts building sand, 6 parts crushed stone 10–60 mm, water — 60–75% of the cement mass (depending on the moisture of the sand and crushed stone). All components, as they say on cooking shows, are slowly mixed while adding water until a uniform mass is obtained. It should also be remembered that the concrete mix should be poured into the formwork gradually so you won't have to spend a long time leveling the concrete along the formwork and scooping back spilled lumps of liquid concrete picked up from the ground; the rabitz mesh should also be even and smooth.
Formwork for the foundation can be made yourself using long wooden boards; however, prefabricated formwork panels, available on the market in many varieties, can also be used. Inside the formwork a so-called "armopoyas" (reinforcement belt) is assembled, i.e., reinforcing elements. As load-bearing elements it is best to use thick rebar, but for creating the frame a galvanized reinforcing mesh is sufficient. If laying a rubble-concrete foundation is desired, rubble stones should be placed inside the formwork.
For preparing the cement mortar it is best to sieve all bulk materials using a fine-mesh woven sieve for cement and sand, and a rabitz (wire) mesh with small cells for sieving gravel.
It is better to use a stiff concrete mix: 1 part cement, 4 parts building sand, 6 parts crushed stone 10–60 mm, water — 60–75% of the cement mass (depending on the moisture of the sand and crushed stone). All components, as they say on cooking shows, are slowly mixed while adding water until a uniform mass is obtained. It should also be remembered that the concrete mix should be poured into the formwork gradually so you won't have to spend a long time leveling the concrete along the formwork and scooping back spilled lumps of liquid concrete picked up from the ground; the rabitz mesh should also be even and smooth.