Car owners who bought area with moving soil, you will either have to put up with additional costs or choose columnar or screw foundation. The thing is that mobile soil is not suitable for building a foundation. You will have to remove soil to reach the solid horizon. Since it can be located deep, a columnar or pile foundation for a garage will be an excellent option.

Pile considered the best in terms of price-quality ratio. The structures are affordable, and there is no need to do large-scale excavations when constructing such a foundation. But, most importantly, with the help piles you will quickly build a reliable foundation for your garage.

Most of the base will be underground. Its depth reaches 20 meters. The devices compensate for soil movement and protect the foundation and the building itself from seasonal fluctuations.

See photo below for what it looks like pile foundation:

Pile foundation for a garage: types

You can buy piles of various designs from specialized companies.

According to the geometric shape, the following classification applies:

• pyramidal supports;
• round;
• rectangular products.

Density classification:

• structures can be solid;
• the supports are hollow.

Piles may have different mechanisms for protecting against ground vibrations. Such a mechanism is located inside the structure itself. That is why the operating principle of the supports is also different. There is a gradation here:

• supporting elements;
• hanging piles.

The supporting ones are driven in deep, they reach a solid level. The structure rests on a solid layer, there is practically no shrinkage. Hanging ones are used when it is difficult to reach a solid layer. Such elements are sunk into the ground, like piles "freeze" in him.

Loads are absorbed due to friction forces.

According to the installation method, piles are of the following types:

• drill-driving;
• with driving elements;
• on screw piles.

But it's best to use screw, because the first option involves the use of special equipment, which will be an additional expense for the construction of a garage.

It is possible to build a hybrid foundation for a garage - strip-pile. The technology is based on the “sole” device. This design consists of piles going underground, fixed above the surface in a strip base. The tape itself is slightly buried in the ground for more reliable fixation.

This method will allow you to fix the structure, there will be no strong shrinkage. The garage will stand securely even on water-saturated soil. Laying such a foundation will be the best option for an area with difficult geological conditions.

Materials for piles and pillars and installation

Piles and pillars can be made of different materials:

• made of metal;
• wood;
• reinforced concrete;
• concrete.

In addition, for self-construction, you can make a foundation for a garage from power transmission poles, or from waste reinforced concrete pillars. They are often made from rubble concrete, reinforced with reinforcement.

Watch the video about pile foundation for garage:

Pile and columnar foundations for a garage have the following positive features: characteristics:

1. High construction speed. If you buy ready-made supports, the speed of construction will increase significantly. There will be enough of them to make a base for a garage.
2. Minimum earthworks. You don’t have to hire people, bring in special equipment, or dig trenches yourself. In addition, you will not need to think about removing the land. Using pillars or piles, you will reduce the amount of excavation work, save time and money.
3. Construction carried out in any season And in any weather. Piles are excellent for areas with harsh climatic conditions. The foundation is ideal for building a garage if you plan to build it in permafrost conditions.
4. For the construction of a garage no need to use special equipment.

REFERENCE. Pile-grillage foundation made from monolithic reinforced concrete. This method will require a lot of time and effort, but it is 50% cheaper when compared to using ready-made spare parts from the factory.

Deliver it yourself piles you can do it this way: make a frame from reinforcement, and when the piles gain strength, then make a grillage. But this method also has one negative point. The fact is that there will be a gap between the ground and the garage. The monolithic grillage is not lowered below 0.3 m from the ground surface. This is due to the fact that the level of soil rise can reach 15 cm during the off-season.

Pile-screw foundation

Screw piles must be screwed into the soil. If their length does not exceed 1 meter, they can be installed using a key. Alternatively, you can use a barbell for this purpose.

These screws are suitable for any soil, but there are certain rules for their installation. Check the level of soil freezing, lower the supports below this level. For example, you decide to build a garage from timber on screw piles. The dimensions of the building will be 4x6x3.5 m; for this, buy timber with a section of 150x150 mm. If the soil freezes to 1 meter, then the supports need to be lowered by 1.2 m.

The total load is 19.5 tons, the amount includes the weight of the structure with the car, wind and snow load. In addition, dynamic load is included here.

The pitch for the supports is from 1.5 to 2.5 meters. Based on this, you will need to build a garage from 9 to 12 piles.

First, dig a trench. You will need to remove 10 cm of soil, and then mark the site. Dig trenches and lay sand and gravel drainage. Cut holes; they should go through the center of the future concrete base.

The column should not occupy more than a third of the tape; make 2 m between the supports.

Fill the supports: Roll the roofing material into a pipe and fasten it with fishing line. Install the pipe into the ground, it should rise to a third of the height of the base. Do waterproofing, this will increase the service life of the foundation.

Observe safety precautions when pouring supports. Make a second layer of waterproofing in the upper part, this will protect the concrete from drying out.

The frame structure of buildings for various purposes is a lightweight structure that does not require the construction of complex and material-intensive foundations. Such structures also include garages of a frame structure, regardless of what material the frame is made of (profile pipe, lumber, LTSK structures).

Foundation for a frame garage

The foundation for a frame garage can have the following design:

• Tape. Typically used in the construction of permanent structures with a depth below the freezing level in the construction region. For lightweight structures, a strip, shallowly buried foundation is used.
• Columnar. It basically involves the construction of reinforced concrete or brick pillars. The pillars are located in the corners of the building, in places where walls and other structures pass, as well as in other places, depending on the geometric dimensions of the building.
• Pile. Depending on the type of piles (reinforced concrete or screw), various technologies for installing the latter are used. This is driving - for reinforced concrete structures and screwing - for metal screw piles.

As already written above, a frame structure is a lightweight structure, so the option of building a frame garage without a foundation is quite acceptable. This, however, is associated with certain risks (seasonal deformation of the structure, exposure to wind and snow loads, etc.), but, nevertheless, this option of building a frame garage with your own hands is quite possible.

The type of foundation is determined at the stage of designing the garage, drawing up a plan and performing a preliminary calculation of the need for materials and their cost. In order to make the right choice, it is necessary to study the advantages and disadvantages of each design, the need for materials and mechanisms, and also calculate the required labor costs.

Which type should I choose?

Each type of foundation has its own pros and cons, so each developer chooses for himself individually, depending on technical and material capabilities, which foundation to build.

Strip, shallow foundation

The design of a strip, shallowly buried foundation is as follows:

Design advantages:

• Low, in relation to the normally buried type, the cost of materials and work;
• Short deadlines for completing work;
• Ease of installation work;
• There is no need to use special equipment;
• It has a reserve of load-bearing capacity for further construction of light structures;

The disadvantages are:

• Not possible for installation on heaving soils;
• Susceptibility to the negative effects of nearby groundwater.

1. The width of the foundation strip is determined. This value is selected by the developer individually, depending on the size of the garage and financial capabilities.
2. A trench is being dug along the perimeter of the garage. The width of the trench is 200 mm greater than the width of the foundation strip, the depth of the trench is 500 mm from the ground surface.
3. The formwork of the foundation being constructed is made from lumber. The lower edge of the formwork must be at least 100 mm below the ground surface. The upper edge determines the size of the foundation strip and is located above the ground at a height of no more than 700 mm. The upper edge of the formwork is mounted in a horizontal plane; for this, a building level, level or theodolite is used.
4. A sand-gravel mixture or sand of coarse or medium fraction is poured into the trench. When laying it, layer-by-layer compaction is performed. The thickness of the compaction layer is 200 mm. ASG is not poured into the internal space of the formwork.
5. A reinforcement cage is mounted inside the formwork. The connection of the reinforcement is made using tying wire, plastic clamps or bricks used to support the lower bars of the reinforcement.
6. Concrete grade M250 or M300 is poured into the prepared formwork.
7. Waterproofing is laid over the top layer of concrete, after it has hardened.

The installation of formwork and backfilling of the ASG trench can be carried out in the reverse order. It depends on the desire of the developer.

Columnar foundation

Frame garage on a columnar foundation

The design of a columnar foundation is as follows:

In this diagram:

1. Casing.
2. Concrete.
3. Concrete support.

The advantages of this foundation design are:

• Low cost compared to other, more complex designs;
• Not exposed to heaving soils and groundwater.

Flaws:

• Cannot be used in the construction of heavy structures;
• Does not have sufficient strength to move in a horizontal plane.

The construction of the foundation of this structure is carried out in the following sequence:

• The construction site is being graded and the fertile soil layer is removed;
• The site is being marked. The corners of the garage under construction, the installation locations of gates and intermediate posts are marked. Intermediate pillars are installed 2.5 - 3.0 meters between corner pillars, on straight sections of the perimeter of the structure. The option and method of constructing the pole is selected. It could be:

1. Casing pipe - metal or asbestos-cement pipes with a diameter of 250 - 400 mm and a wall thickness of at least 25 mm are used;
2. Use of wooden formwork;
3. Using foam blocks or bricks.

Depending on the chosen option for constructing the pole, work on its construction is carried out.

When using casing:

• The prepared pipes are cut. Their length must be at least 1.5 meters.
• The reinforcement frame is being manufactured. The dimensions of the frame are determined based on the dimensions of the casing pipe.
• Using a crane-drilling machine (DCM), foundation pits are drilled for pillars of the required diameter.
• Casing pipes are installed in the manufactured pits, into which the reinforcement cage is placed.
• Concrete is poured into the casing using a deep vibrator.

When using wooden formwork:

• A pit is being dug. The work can be done with an excavator or manually.
• At the bottom of the pit, formwork is installed to construct a concrete support. The support is wider than the pole.
• A reinforcement frame is mounted in the support formwork in such a way that outlets are provided for attaching the pillar frame to it.
• The supports are filled with concrete.
• The pillar frames are made, after which they are attached to the frame outlets of the concrete floors.
• The pillar formwork is installed around the mounted pillar frames.
• Concrete is poured into the prepared formwork.

When using bricks or foam blocks:

• The work is carried out, as when using wooden formwork, until the concrete is poured into the cushions.
• 2 layers of waterproofing are laid on the upper surface of the pillows;
• Brickwork is carried out, from concrete floors to the mark of the height of the foundation above the ground. The laying of pillars is carried out with at least 1.5 bricks.
• The masonry is waterproofed with special mastics or compounds.
• To create stability of the foundation in the horizontal plane, a grillage is installed. The grillage can be made of metal, wood or reinforced concrete. The material is chosen by the developer, depending on the frame material of the object being constructed.

Pile foundation

Pile foundation for a frame garage

The following can be used in the construction of a pile foundation:

• Screw piles:
• Reinforced concrete piles:

These types of piles differ in design, geometric dimensions, installation methods and application conditions.

Advantages of using pile foundations:

1. Possibility of use on moving soils;
2. All seasonality of work;
3. Possibility of installing a foundation on a slope;
4. Minimal movements during shrinkage of the structure;
5. Reliability of the design.

The disadvantages are:

• Installation is carried out using special equipment (reinforced concrete piles) or devices (screw piles);
• Not recommended for possible ground movements in the horizontal plane;
• If a pile is damaged, it is impossible to calculate its damage;
• For reinforced concrete piles with significant weight, installation of structures is physically difficult.

As already written above, a frame garage is a lightweight structure, so the option of constructing a pile foundation using reinforced concrete piles does not correspond to the type and nature of the building, and therefore will not be considered.

The construction of the foundation using screw piles is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The site is planned and marked, as in the case of a columnar foundation;
2. In the marked places, the piles are screwed into the soil layer;
3. After screwing all the piles, using a level or theodolite, elevation marks are marked so that all the head parts of the piles are in the same plane;
4. According to the marks made, the piles are trimmed;
5. Concrete is poured into the interior;
6. Heads are welded onto the head parts of the pile;
7. The grillage is installed along the headrests. The grillage, as in the version of the columnar foundation, is made from materials chosen by the developer.

From the considered options for foundation design and installation technologies, it is clear that in order to make the right choice, you need to carefully study and calculate everything, and then settle on one design or another.

Even a person who does not have special knowledge in construction will say with confidence that a capital structure must be built on a solid foundation. A structure such as a garage is no exception. The quality of use and service life of the building depend on the foundation. And you will not doubt the strength of the foundation you made with your own hands.

The need for a foundation for a garage

The need for a foundation is indisputable, as it gives the building stability and maintains the integrity of the walls. In a structure such as a garage, a concrete base insulates all objects in the room from moisture coming from the ground. In a garage without a foundation, the metal parts of the car are susceptible to rapid corrosion.

The basis for buildings can be:

• natural;
• artificial.

The soil located under the garage foundation, which, due to its natural characteristics, can provide stability to the structure, can be used as a natural foundation. A soil composition that has these features is found infrequently, so it requires additional strength, that is, the laying of an artificial base.

A reliable foundation for a garage is necessary when the soil in the area is unstable or has other features that further affect the integrity of the structure of the building.

Before starting construction work to install the foundation, it is necessary to study the properties and qualities of the soil. Since there are several types of it, not all of them are suitable for the construction of structures.

There are various methods for improving the quality of the soil, which help make its properties suitable for installing a foundation.

The main types of soil include:

1. Rocky with a solid structure.
2. Consisting of large fragments of rocks.
3. Sandy.
4. Clay formations.
5. Peat bogs.

If we talk about the reliability of the foundation, then the rocky type of soil is the best option for constructing a garage. It appears as hardened volcanic emissions and mixtures of rocks pressed tightly together. It lies in a continuous or fractured massif. This soil is ready for erecting a garage on its surface, without installing a foundation.

Coarse soil contains gravel, as well as fragments of crystalline formations. The peculiarity of this soil is that it consists of 50% fragments and grains exceeding 2 mm. Unlike the previous type of soil, it does not consist of a solid structure.

Since the size of the components of coarse soils is different, it is customary to divide them into types:

• boulder (block);
• pebble (crushed stone).

The foundation for a garage in such soil should be buried 50 cm.

Sandy soil is one of the main ones. It contains about 50% of material with a cross-section of more than 2 mm. A distinctive feature of this soil is its flowability and lack of plasticity. Under the influence of moisture and load, this soil tends to become very compacted.

One of the unfavorable soils for laying a foundation for a garage is clay soil. It reacts to different conditions: when it dries, it can shrink, when there is a high degree of humidity, it can form landslides, and at low temperatures it can swell. This happens because the structure of clay soil has a scaly shape with cavities. Due to this, moisture accumulates in the pores of the clay, which contributes to the viscosity of the entire soil. In this case, it is necessary to install a pile foundation, and the laying should be done below the freezing level.

The high content of plant residues in peat bogs makes this soil unreliable for the construction of foundations. As a rule, this soil is highly moist and differs in that it tends to compress unevenly. This characteristic makes it practically unsuitable for creating a strong foundation. If there is a need for construction on this soil, it is replaced with sandy soil. This case involves installing a foundation in the form of screw piles. Perhaps this basis will be the only way out of this situation.

Preparation: what material to choose, pros and cons

Various materials are used in the construction of a garage. The most popular of them, having all the necessary characteristics, are:

1. Cinder blocks.
2. Foam blocks.
3. Expanded clay blocks.

Cinder blocks are a very popular material for the construction of foundations and walls of small buildings. In its production, a slag concrete mixture is used, consisting of sand, ash, small particles of gravel, expanded clay, and slag. Due to its relative strength and simple masonry, this material is widely used for installing foundations for garages.

Cinder blocks are made hollow and solid. Empty blocks differ in the volume of hollow cells. For the foundation of the garage it is necessary to use solid blocks.

Cinder blocks used as a foundation have their advantages:

• it is an inexpensive material;
• it is durable and reliable to use;
• due to its dimensions, the speed of laying the foundation increases;
• since concrete is only needed for gluing the blocks together, the cost of this foundation is much less than for a strip or slab foundation;
• Has a high level of fire resistance.

A cinder block foundation has its disadvantages:

• this material is not intended for use in clayey, loose or swelling soils;
• under transverse loads, cinder block has low strength characteristics;
• low level of moisture resistance.

Foam block is one of the most common foundation materials. It is one of the types of cellular foam concrete. When making foam blocks, cement, sand and water are used, to which a foaming agent is added.

The advantages of this material are as follows:

• it does not use impurities harmful to humans;
• has thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics;
• has a low coefficient of shrinkage and water absorption;
• fire-resistant, thanks to which it can withstand direct exposure to fire for 120 minutes;
• its properties and qualities do not change under the influence of alternating freezing or thawing;
• has a low specific gravity (0.4–0.8 tons/m³);
• has low hygroscopicity (the material is able to remain on the surface of water for more than 20 days);
• foam blocks are easy to process, groove, drill;
• The service life of this material is more than 100 years.

The disadvantages of foam blocks include the following:

• this material has relative fragility and low bending strength;
• has high moisture absorption, which is why it requires careful finishing and waterproofing;
• Suitable for the foundation of small buildings only.

The use of expanded clay concrete base allows you to design buildings that are taller than for a foam block base.

The basis for using this material is expressed in the following positive criteria:

• is an effective heat-insulating material;
• expanded clay concrete blocks have good resistance to biological influences;
• after building a garage with this foundation, the structure gives minimal shrinkage;
• no toxic substances are released when exposed to open fire;
• the composition of the material is safe for humans;
• This material is classified as radiation safety class 1. Due to its properties, it accumulates harmful radiation and retains it;
• its cost is lower than a brick of the same volume;

The disadvantages of expanded clay concrete base include:

• under dynamic influence, blocks can collapse or crack;
• It is mandatory to use a waterproofing and heat-insulating layer;
• the material is inconvenient to process. When exposed, uneven edges are formed.

The strip foundation has the form of a reinforced concrete structure located along the intended perimeter. This foundation can be made of various building materials: brick, concrete blocks, or be a monolithic concrete base.

The service life of the foundation depends on the material used when laying it:

• a strip foundation made of brickwork will last from 40 to 60 years;
• the block structure will remain durable from 50 to 80 years;
• the monolithic base will not require repair for 150 years.

The advantages of a strip base include the following:

• this foundation is easy to build thanks to simple creation technology;
• the base is suitable for different building materials;
• if you plan to organize a cellar in the garage, then the base will serve as walls;
• the strip base is not affected by sudden temperature changes.

The disadvantages of this foundation include the following criteria:

• the organization of this foundation requires a large amount of material and auxiliary structures;
• When constructing the foundation, a lot of labor is required.

Calculation of the required quantity depending on the area, type of garage and the height of the foundation itself. Examples

The durability of the foundation is directly related to the correct calculation. The uniform distribution of the weight of the structure on the ground depends on this. Failure to comply with these conditions will lead to unpleasant consequences in the form of additional monetary costs for correcting deformations in the construction or repair of your car. Considering these points, before building the foundation it is necessary:

1. Draw up an accurate drawing of the future garage and its foundation.
2. Examine soil characteristics to determine the type of foundation.
3. Taking into account the information received, select the necessary materials for the base.

To make an accurate calculation of the parameters for the foundation for a garage, you need to know the characteristics of the soils lying on the construction site. The depth of the foundation for this building is determined by the distance of the freezing point from the surface of the earth.

Below is a table with soil load values:

To more conveniently calculate the load on the ground, you can use the values ​​in the table to apply a simple formula:

S=U/R, where S is the area of ​​the base, U is the weight acting on it, R is the measured values ​​of soil changes. All U and R parameters are determined by standardized tables.

When laying the foundation, regardless of the soil characteristics, you must adhere to the basic rule - the foundation must rest on solid soil located below the freezing point. The only exceptions are clay soil and peat bogs. In this case, it is advisable to use a pile foundation.

If the soil freezes from 10 to 30 cm, then the depth of the foundation can be made about 40 cm. It should be taken into account that under the foundation a cushion of gravel and sand is needed, the thickness of which should be at least 40 cm.

For a building such as a garage, the following types of foundation are used:

1. Pile.
2. Tape.
3. Slab.

Calculation of the required amount of concrete for this foundation is carried out by calculations using the following formula: S = 3.14·R², where S is the volume of the required amount of concrete in m³, R is the radius or perimeter of the pile column. The resulting figure must be multiplied by the length and total number of concrete pillars (piles).

If you use these computational techniques, you can easily calculate the concrete consumption in cubic meters.

To find out how much mixture is required per pile, you need to determine its diameter and length. As an example, the diameter of the pile will be 0.1 m and its length 2 m. These parameters must be applied to the formula 3.14·0.1²=0.0314. The resulting figure must be multiplied by the length of the pile: 0.0314·2=0.0628 m³ - this is how much is needed to make one concrete pile. Now it’s easy to calculate how much concrete will be needed for all piles. To do this, you need to multiply 0.0628 by the number of holes prepared for piles.

To calculate the required amount of concrete required for a strip base, it is necessary to have information about the height and width of the strip. Since it is rectangular in shape, its area is determined by multiplying these indicators. To determine the volume of the foundation, you will need to multiply its cross-sectional area by the length of the strip base. The total size of the tape structure consists of the sum of all volumes of the parts of the tape. The calculation of each part of the base is carried out according to the following formula: V=S·L, where S is the cross-sectional area of ​​the tape in meters, L is the length of the tape base in meters. The easiest way to make calculations is if the tape has the same cross-section around its entire perimeter. If it is equal to 0.16 m², with a length of 24 m, then by substituting these numbers into the formula, you get the following: V = 24·0.16= 3.84 m³. As a result, it became known how many cubes of concrete mixture are needed for a strip foundation. This option is only suitable for calculations of tape with the same cross-section.

How to determine the amount of solution if the strip base has a different cross-section? To do this, you need to multiply and then add the results, and the resulting figure will indicate the amount of concrete mixture consumption. If the cross-section of the base is 0.16 m² with a tape length of 14 m, 0.2 m² with a length of 6 m and 0.25 m² with a length of 8 m, then by applying these dimensions to the formula, you can see the following example: V = 14 0, 16+6·0.2+8·0.25=5.44 m³.

To calculate the required amount of concrete for a slab foundation, you should use the formula: V=S·H, where S is the total area of ​​the slab base, H is its required thickness. If it is necessary to create a slab foundation 12 m long, 8 m wide and 0.15 m high, then in the formula these values ​​look like this: V=12·8·0.15=14.4 m³.

If the garage has a basement, calculating the required amount of concrete will not be difficult. For this, the formulas used in calculating the slab base are useful. If its estimated length is 6 m, width is 3 m, the thickness of the base and walls is 0.15 m, and the height of the walls is 2 m, you need to make a calculation for the base and each wall, and then add up the results.

It follows from this: 3·6·0.15=2.7 m³ - the concrete mixture needed for the base.

Now you need to calculate the required volume of concrete for each wall. To do this, its length should be multiplied by its height and thickness: 6 2 0.15 = 1.8 m³. Since there are two similar walls in the basement, the value must be multiplied by two: 1.8·2=3.6 m³.

Using the same method we calculate the other two walls: 3·2·0.15=0.9·2=1.8 m³. The volume of concrete for each individual wall and base has been found. Now you need to calculate the total volume. To do this, add up all the results: 2.7 + 3.6 + 1.8 = 8.1 m³ - this is the amount of concrete needed to install the base and walls of the basement.

Tools for work

To lay the foundation you will need the following tools:

1. Concrete mixer.
2. Shovel, screw and bayonet shovel.
3. Cord and wooden pegs.
4. Jigsaw or hand saw.
5. Screwdriver.
6. Electric drill.
7. Containers for water and solution.
8. Pliers.
9. Yardstick.
10. Building level.
11. Large square.
12. Nails and screws.
13. Thick polyethylene.

Step-by-step instructions for the correct construction of different types of foundations

As mentioned earlier, different types of foundations can be applied to the garage structure, such as:

The location of each type of base must be marked using a measuring tape, pegs with scraps and a cord. The cast-offs are wooden planks nailed to pegs. The height of the pegs should be at least 50 cm from the ground. The cord is secured to a nail driven into the cast-off. Two parallel cords, the distance between which should be 40 cm, define the area of ​​the future trench. Then, depending on the type of foundation, holes, a pit or a trench are dug.

Tape

1. In accordance with the markings, dig a trench 40 cm deep and 40 cm wide.
2. Pour sand into the bottom of the trench, which must be compacted until a layer 20 cm thick is obtained. Sand is better compacted if it is made wet.
3. A layer of gravel 10 cm thick can be poured on top of the sand cushion.
4. After this, make a metal frame from reinforcing bars. To do this, use a cross section from 8 to 15 mm. Metal rods must be fixed with wire. The distance between the rods must be at least 20 cm. This design will give strength to the strip base.
5. Then you need to make formwork from boards or plywood. Its height should rise above the ground by at least 30 cm. To strengthen the structure, use wooden clamps or stops.
6. After installing the metal frame and formwork panels, you can proceed to pouring the concrete mixture. For a relatively small building, such as a garage, concrete grade M200 is suitable. Using a concrete mixer, make a ready-made solution that needs to be poured into the prepared formwork. The height of the concrete should be from 30 to 40 cm from the ground surface. It should be remembered that the strip base must be completed completely at one time.
7. After pouring concrete into the formwork, it must be covered with thick polyethylene or roofing felt. This must be done, since direct sunlight has a negative effect on concrete. This can cause it to become covered with cracks due to uneven hardening. Once the foundation is poured, it takes time to harden. Depending on the ambient temperature, the time frame for strengthening the strip base ranges from 3 to 6 weeks. After the specified period, the strip foundation is ready for the construction of garage walls on it.

Tape-pile

DIY slab foundation construction

How to fill a columnar

Video: DIY foundation

When the type of foundation is chosen correctly, taking into account the characteristics of the soil, you can be confident in the reliability of the foundation for the garage.

If you need to build an inexpensive, but durable and convenient garage, take a closer look at frame buildings. The weight of a car is much greater than that of any furniture, so you will need a reliable foundation that you can build with your own hands.

A column foundation is easy to manufacture, but is not the best choice for frame garages

Columnar foundation. This type of foundation is the easiest to use. It can be made without seeking the help of professional builders. A column foundation is often chosen if you plan to make a plank floor in the garage. It is arranged in different ways, and during construction they use all kinds of materials - concrete blocks, reinforced concrete products, bricks, or even combine different materials. But this is not the best solution for a frame garage. When choosing a columnar foundation, you will have to make a powerful deck from timber and thick boards that will be able to support a decent weight of the car. In addition, it will be necessary to resolve the issue of arranging a convenient entry - a special entrance ramp. True, for a lightweight structure, especially if there is a problem with minimal construction time, this is an acceptable option.

Strip foundation is the best option for frame garages

Strip foundation. Perfectly withstands the weight of the frame structure. It is more difficult to make it, since you will have to not only make the formwork, but also reinforce the structure in compliance with all the technology requirements. Construction will take longer because you will need to wait for the poured concrete to set and mature.

But a strip foundation has the potential to build a properly equipped and convenient inspection hole. You can make both wooden and concrete floors. If you decide to make wooden flooring, you will have to provide additional supports for laying the logs; they can be conveniently made in the form of columns made of concrete or brick. Or you can simply dig in wooden posts treated with mastic at the required points.

If you are planning a frame garage, then you won’t have any trouble with a slab foundation

Slab foundation. It is mistakenly considered the most difficult foundation for a frame garage, since before pouring concrete it is necessary to lay several layers of gravel, sand, crushed stone and compact them well. Such a foundation is much more expensive than other foundations for a garage, and it will take more effort. But this way you will make a very reliable floor that will last a long time. Even if after some time you decide to build permanent walls instead of a frame structure, your foundation will already be ready.

By design, it is a monolithic, flat reinforced concrete support. Buildings on slab foundations are stable, even if the soil is weak or mobile. It is also called a floating foundation, due to the fact that no matter how the soil moves, the walls will not warp.

There are 2 types of slab foundations - smooth and with special stiffening ribs. They provide additional stability, increase the strength of the foundation, resist deformation, and hold the foundation and building in a horizontal position. The top of such a slab acts as a floor - for this reason it is made smooth. It is difficult to build such a foundation for a frame garage, and it will require much more money.

A pile foundation is good for weak soil, but will not support a heavy structure

Pile foundation. If you have weak soil (for example, with a large slope or solid sand), then take a closer look at the foundation on piles (preferably on screws). This foundation is a metal pipe with helical blades. This design increases traction with the ground.

The average load-bearing capacity of a pile foundation is 4-5 tons, which is quite enough for a frame garage. But if you need to build a heavier structure, this type of foundation will no longer suit you. Be sure to cover all the metal with anti-corrosion compounds, this will significantly increase the service life of the entire foundation.

Brick foundation - fading nature

Brick foundation. The most outdated and economically unprofitable design. It is often said that the foundation for a frame garage made of brick is very reliable, but these are just rumors. If there is excess brick available, then it will be more practical and economical to build a columnar foundation from it. But in this case, a lot of high-grade cement will be required for the required strength of the columns - otherwise the brick will not last long. Currently, developers almost never use a brick foundation, considering this foundation option to be economically infeasible.

A block foundation can support any weight, but it requires a whole construction team to build it.

Block foundation. If you need a heavy garage with a large area, then it is best to use a block foundation. Its construction is expensive and requires the use of heavy equipment. But it stands out among other options due to its high reliability, long service life and truly extraordinary load-bearing capacity. The disadvantages include the high cost of material and work, the complexity of installing the structure (it is impossible to assemble it yourself) and the need to prepare the site (leveling the area, creating a pit, etc.).

Which option is better to choose?

In most cases, a strip foundation is used for a frame garage. It is easy to manufacture, economical, and strong enough to withstand the load from frame walls and a car. In addition, it can be used on many types of soils.

The depth of the strip foundation for a light building will not exceed 0.5 meters. Before pouring concrete, a reinforcement cage is installed.

Interesting! On reliable soils, two-story and sometimes three-story buildings are erected on strip foundations.

The main advantages of a strip foundation:

1. You can build it yourself.
2. Minimal shrinkage, no wall deformation.
3. With high-quality filling it can withstand a large mass.
4. Increased strength.

It is convenient to use such a foundation if the floor in the frame garage is cement, simply pouring the screed over crushed stone poured onto the ground.

Disadvantages of strip foundation:

1. The costs are higher than with a columnar foundation.
2. It can only be poured during the warm season. During heavy rains or in winter, it is impossible to make a strip foundation.
3. Requires hiring equipment - an excavator to prepare a trench and a concrete mixer.
4. It is necessary to wait a long time until the concrete gains full strength.
5. Additional work is required - production of formwork, creation of a waterproofing layer.

Foundation design calculation

Foundation calculations can be done without the help of specialists

The construction of the foundation for the construction of a frame garage should begin with the preparation of the construction site. It consists of designing the building, cleaning the area and marking the dimensions of the foundation.

Designing a garage can be done without involving specialists. Estimate the required dimensions of the garage and what should fit in it.

It is advisable to provide a small amount of free space, since you will need somewhere to store spare parts, tools, and other things.

You must retreat at least 1.5 meters from the parking area to the wall.

A strip foundation is calculated in two ways: taking into account the bearing capacity of the soil and based on soil deformation. The first one is much simpler.

The foundation is calculated last. It serves to transfer the load from the mass of the garage to the ground. And the mass will be known after you decide what materials you will use to build the garage. Therefore, before planning the foundation design you will need:

• Create a general construction plan;
• Decide whether there will be a viewing hole and what size;
• Determine the material for laying the plinth and its height;
• Decide what kind of insulation will be used, as well as methods of external and internal finishing.

For all materials, it is necessary to determine their specific gravity. To do this, it is better to prepare a table, after which the calculations begin.

Conventionally, the calculation is divided into several stages:

• Calculation of future load on the foundation;
• Determination of tape characteristics;
• Necessary adjustment.

Effect of building weight on foundation

By the time the influence of the weight of the building on the foundation is calculated, the general plan should already be ready

The weight of all materials that will be used is summed up:

• Walls (total area is used);
• Floor and materials used for its construction;
• Floors and ceilings;
• Roofing materials;
• Foundation (approximately for now);
• Fastening elements.

By this time, a general plan with the dimensions of the building should already be prepared. Calculating the load from the materials used is simple - you need to determine the area where they will be located and multiply by the specific gravity.

Calculating the width of the sole

Let's move on to calculating the width

• Foundation depth + plinth size = total height;
• Tape width.

The length of the foundation is already known - this is the total length of the walls that will stand on the foundation. The depth of the sole is determined by the type of soil on the site. There are special tables for this purpose. After this, it is necessary to calculate the width of the foundation - this indicator is affected by the weight of the materials and the gap between the walls.

Impact on the foundation

Next, you need to calculate how the garage will influence the foundation with its mass. We divide the total weight of the building by its area. Determining the area of ​​the foundation is easy - multiply its width by its length. After this, the total weight of the garage must be divided by the base area in cm 2. We find the specific load per 1 cm 2 of the strip foundation.

If the soil on the site has a load-bearing capacity higher than the weight of the garage, the area of ​​the base is calculated correctly. If not, then adjustments will need to be made.

Required materials and tools

To make a foundation, you need the following materials and tools:

• Roulette 10 meters long;
• Level;
• Fishing line, nylon thread or cord;
• Shovel;
• Several rolls of roofing felt (depending on the length of the foundation);
• Reinforcement and wire for knitting;
• Crushed stone, cement, coarse sand;
• Liquid waterproofing;
• Small concrete mixer.

Preparatory work

The area where you will build the garage must be level and free of debris.. It is advisable to remove the fertile soil layer. After preparing the site, marking begins. Consulting the plan, the edges of the foundation are beaten along the cord. When the stakes are driven in and a rope is stretched along them, check the geometry of the future foundation (measure the diagonals - they should be the same). Check the angles - they should all be exactly 90 degrees; incorrect angles will result in uneven garage walls.

• If in winter the soil on the site does not freeze deeply, then you can lay the foundation to a depth of 40 cm and prepare the same amount for the sand cushion;
• For loamy soils and clay, it is necessary to deepen the foundation by 1.5 m so that it does not collapse due to the dynamic qualities of such soil;
• On sand, a trench is dug to a depth of 80 cm - heaving processes do not occur on such soil.

Instructions for constructing a foundation

Work is in full swing

The trench for the foundation is filled with fine gravel or coarse sand to reduce heaving processes and prevent the accumulation of water under the sole.

After this, a drill is used to prepare recesses for installing piles. They must be placed in the corners and along the perimeter of all walls at intervals of 2 meters.

Important! It is necessary to install wells to a depth of 0.5 meters greater than the freezing level of the soil.

The diameter of the holes must freely allow the installed piles to pass through.

Coarse sand is poured into the holes in a layer of 18-20 cm - it will serve as a pillow. It must be thoroughly watered and compacted. After this, metal or asbestos-cement pipes are lowered and concrete solution is poured into them to a depth of 30 cm. Then the pipe is raised a little so that the concrete flows out - creating a kind of sole, it will ensure reliable adhesion of the piles and dense soil.

Before the concrete hardens, you need to use a level to level the piles vertically. When the concrete has set, reinforcement bars are lowered into the pipes, tied together in the form of a lattice. The reinforcement cage should protrude from the pipe and reach the top of the foundation.

After this, wooden formwork from boards is created at soil level. It is assembled using nails and self-tapping screws, and reinforced with bars in the corners. All protruding parts of the formwork must be located outside the structure. The walls must be strengthened by installing struts and securing ties. A reinforcement cage is installed inside the formwork. Rods with a thickness of 8-16 mm (taking into account the load) are connected in the form of a mesh at the intersection points, and the reinforcement is tied with wire. It is necessary to connect the reinforcement of the piles and the reinforcement frame of the foundation.

The prepared foundation and piles are poured with concrete mortar. During pouring, it is necessary to pierce the solution with a reinforcement bar to help the air escape. After this, the upper part of the foundation is smoothed and protected from precipitation by covering it with plastic film.

While the foundation is drying, you need to control its humidity. Do not allow it to dry out. In hot weather, the foundation that is gaining strength must be periodically watered with water.

When the concrete has completely set, you can begin waterproofing the foundation. For this, bitumen and polymer roll materials are used - for example, roofing felt or self-adhesive film. Before work, coat the concrete surface with an antiseptic and primer. When the surface is completely dry, waterproof it.

After this, it is necessary to insulate the foundation; polystyrene is most often used for this purpose. The plates are attached to the surface using special glue. When it sets, the slabs are additionally secured with dowels.

Important work points

If a number of nuances are not taken into account, the service life of the foundation can be significantly reduced.

When creating the foundation, it is necessary to take into account several subtleties of the process that will help prevent many problems:

• It is permissible to make a pillow not from sand, but from fine gravel;
• The outer part of the formwork must be covered with bitumen, and roofing material must be glued to it;
• The foundation strip should be 30-40 cm wide and no more than 70 cm high - depending on the planned load on the foundation;
• It is advisable to connect the reinforcement cage rods not by welding, but rather fasten them together using knitting wire;
• If in some places your formwork has risen from the ground, then you need to add sand there, which can be removed 10 days after pouring the foundation.

Improperly performed work will significantly reduce the service life of the foundation and can even lead to cracks in the walls.

It doesn’t matter what size frame garage you build. Perhaps this is a small room, or maybe it is a solid building for 2-3 cars. But the foundation for it must have the necessary margin of safety. This directly affects not only the service life of the entire structure, but also your safety.

Frame construction is considered the most convenient option for arranging a garage. Among its advantages are ease of installation and the ability to do the work yourself in a relatively short time. At the same time, the master is faced with an important question - which foundation for a frame garage is better. Therefore, it is worth considering what needs to be taken into account before starting construction, and what preparatory work needs to be carried out? It is important to know the rules for laying the main types of foundation.

What to consider when planning your garage

In order for the building to serve as long as possible and at the same time not require additional investments for reconstruction or restoration, it is necessary to think through the main points of laying the foundation even before the start of construction.

First, a study of the soil type is required. So, on sandy soil you can use almost any type of foundation, but on unstable soils you need to fill a foundation that will actively resist heaving forces.

Due to the relatively light weight of a frame building for a garage, experts do not recommend the use of a columnar foundation on any type of soil.

Secondly, an important part of the design is the analysis of the location of the groundwater level. The method of making the waterproofing layer depends on this parameter.

Thirdly, in most of Russia, the soil is subject to freezing in winter and therefore it is necessary to accurately know the depth of soil freezing in order to install a foundation below this level. This will increase the strength of the building. The following are considered common options for a garage foundation:

• tape;
• pile;
• monolithic slab.

Construction of a frame garage without a foundation is possible if only large elements are used for the construction. To do this, you also need to make sure that the soil is reliable by compacting it. The lack of a foundation does not eliminate the need to waterproof the bottom of the garage.

Preparatory work

The first thing a person planning to build a garage needs to do is draw a plan for the future building. To do this, you need to decide on the purpose of the structure. Will it be used only for car storage? Or the plan should include an inspection hole to carry out feasible repair work.

This room may also include a basement for storing vegetables and preparations, or a place for car parts and work tools. All this affects the size.

If the garage is intended for one vehicle, then its dimensions must be planned so that there is no less than 1.5 m from the car to the wall of the structure in all directions.

Once you have decided on the size and internal contents of the garage, all that remains is to clear the space for construction. It is necessary to remove branches, leaves, grass and debris that will interfere with work. The fertile layer of soil is also removed. The main thing is that the construction site is dry, level and clean.

The final stage of the preparatory work will be marking the perimeter of the future building. To do this, you can use a rope, stakes, and to simplify the task, a laser ruler and other devices. Much attention must be paid to the angles, which must be strictly 90 degrees, otherwise the walls of the building will be crooked, which will affect the strength and appearance of the structure.

Strip base for frame construction

A strip foundation for a frame garage is one of the common options for this type of building. This is facilitated by the following advantages of this solution:

• such a foundation is strong and can withstand structures of impressive size and weight;
• subject to building codes, it is resistant to deformation and shrinkage;
• the ability to make a durable floor based on concrete screed;
• You can build such a foundation with your own hands.

The disadvantages of this solution include the high cost compared to a columnar foundation, the need to use special equipment and perform additional work, such as installing and dismantling formwork. In addition, such a base can be installed at certain times of the year and only in good weather. When working with it, low temperatures and high humidity or partial precipitation are not allowed.

Before you start building the building itself, you need to wait for the concrete to harden for several weeks.

After the preparatory work is completed, a trench needs to be dug along the perimeter of the construction. Its depth should be below the soil freezing level. In most cases this is about 50 cm.

The next stage of work will be the installation of formwork. For those who want to save on materials, it is possible to use simple boards made of cheap wood. For more expensive construction, formwork can be purchased or rented.

A cushion of sand and crushed stone is placed at the bottom of the trench. The next layer will be waterproofing. If necessary, the future foundation can be reinforced, and then concrete mortar will be poured into the prepared trench. During operation, the mixture must be compacted using special tools.

Afterwards, the structure is left until the concrete hardens. The foundation must first be covered with film and watered periodically to prevent the top layer of concrete from drying out.

After the structure has sufficiently hardened and the formwork has been dismantled, it is necessary to check the resulting foundation for strength. Firstly, its horizontal line must be flat everywhere. The maximum permissible difference is 1 cm. If an error is noticed somewhere, it is corrected by applying cement mortar to lower sections of the tape to level the surface. In this case, the mixture used is required to be an order of magnitude thicker than that poured into the formwork.

Secondly, all angles must be 90 degrees. All detected deviations from the norm must be urgently corrected, and only after this can we begin lining the foundation and constructing the garage.

Another option for making a strip foundation for a garage can be seen in the following video:

Monolithic slab for frame garage

In rare cases, a monolithic foundation can be used for a frame garage. Compared to tape, it is distinguished by greater strength on unreliable soils and resistance to deformation and loads.

The disadvantages of this solution include higher cost, the need for special equipment, a large amount of work and the time it takes to fill the base.

In addition, a monolithic foundation requires more careful planning. So, if, after completing work on the garage, the owner wants to additionally build an inspection hole or cellar, this will be impossible.

When pouring a monolithic foundation, the procedure is similar to making a strip foundation, only instead of a trench around the perimeter of the garage you will need to dig a foundation pit. Then the formwork is installed, a sand-crushed stone cushion and a layer of waterproofing are laid on the bottom. Installation of fittings in this case is mandatory. An important part of the work will be pouring and compacting the concrete.

Pouring a monolithic slab requires a lot of time and effort. If the process was not completed within one day, the foundation must be covered with a waterproofing layer. Work should be continued no later than 12 hours later. If the deadline is missed, you can resume pouring the foundation only after 5 days.

Since this design requires more material, it will take longer to harden. Throughout the entire period, the process must be monitored, periodically moistening the top layer. At the end of the period when the layer hardens, all that remains is to remove the formwork, fill the resulting cracks with soil, and level the base horizontally. The convenience of this solution is that there is no need to worry about the arrangement of the floor if there is no need for additional thermal insulation.

Pile foundation for garage

A pile-grillage foundation gives special strength to a structure built on unstable soils. In the case of arranging a garage, this method is rarely used. Based on the type of installation, the following types of piles are distinguished:

• printed;
• screw.

The first option necessarily requires special machines for installing supports. The second option can be used when making a base with your own hands. To immerse the structures in the ground, the effort of 2-3 people will be enough. Based on material, foundation elements are divided into 3 types:

• reinforced concrete;
• steel;
• wooden.

The first type of piles is universal because it has the greatest strength. Steel piles can also serve for quite a long time, but subject to treatment with an anti-corrosion coating. Wooden piles are of little use in construction due to their extremely low strength.

After determining the dimensions of the garage and marking the perimeter, the installation of piles begins. The supports are driven or screwed into the corners of the structure, and then along the perimeter. In this case, the distance from one pile to another is no more than 1.5 m.

A prerequisite for installing piles is to immerse them vertically in the ground. This parameter is checked especially carefully after completion of work.

As soon as the last support is in the ground, it is necessary to cut the piles to the same length. The horizontal evenness of the base should also be checked. After this, the hollow screw piles are filled with concrete mortar. Heads are installed on their upper ends. Finally, the grillage is installed and the tying of the piles begins.

How to equip the floor

When using strip or pile foundations, an important stage of work is the installation of the floor. Most often, the cement screed method is used to ensure strength. With this choice, you first need to equip an inspection hole by digging a recess of the required size and securing the walls of the structure.

First, the floor is covered with gravel, which acts as drainage. This layer needs to be compacted. Sometimes this is done using a press. With enough time for construction, you can allow the gravel to come to the desired form naturally by suspending work for a while. The next layer requires sand, which also requires compaction.

Waterproofing is laid on top of the drainage layer, followed by thermal insulation. This stage is especially important if you will be working in the garage during the winter months. Before pouring cement, a welded mesh is installed as reinforcement. To complete the work, you just have to wait for the solution to dry.

The choice of foundation for a frame garage depends on the type of soil and the features of the structure. Experts often recommend using strip foundations for such structures. Pile foundations or a monolithic slab are applicable here. Regardless of the choice, the main thing is to follow the foundation technology so that the constructed garage lasts as long as possible.