Do-it-yourself foundation made from FBS blocks

Foundation building blocks allow you to build reliable and durable foundations for a wide variety of structures. Standing out against the backdrop of monolithic structures in terms of convenience and speed of construction, foundations made of FBS blocks have deservedly become popular in the areas of single-story and multi-story construction.

DIY foundation made from FBS blocks

The following guide will allow you to understand the technology of arranging a foundation from building blocks and carry out the necessary activities yourself.

Construction technology

The construction of a strip-type block foundation is carried out in the following order:

You must first calculate the dimensions and purchase materials in the required quantities.
Experts advise starting construction by drawing up a building plan.
Trenches are dug to accommodate the blocks. Their depth should be at the level of freezing of the soil layer.
The bottom of the pit is prepared for the placement of these blocks.
It is necessary to increase the support area of this type of foundation through the use of a so-called cushion, which is a special trapezoidal block that promotes the most even distribution of the load over the entire soil area.
The next step is to lay down the blocks. When constructing the tape, care should be taken to ensure that the thickness of the cement screed is at least two centimeters.
Waterproofing using roofing felt or some other similar material.
The sides of the structure, which are in contact with the soil layer, are thoroughly impregnated with bitumen.
In the end, you need to completely fill all existing sinuses.

Modern technology for constructing a block columnar foundation involves the following steps:

Before starting work, it is necessary to first prepare the site - thoroughly clean it of various debris, and also level the area.
If the construction of a building takes place in an area with clay soil, care must be taken to create a gravel backfill.
The construction site is marked, which consists of marking the places where it is planned to install supports.
It is necessary to form pillars less than one meter long from blocks and fill each individual structure with concrete mortar.
Installation of spacers made of wooden blocks is carried out.
At the bottom of the pit, a so-called cushion of crushed stone and sand should be made in order to provide additional protection for the future building from subsidence for one reason or another.
A formwork is created, the structure of which is erected using wooden panels. To obtain permanent formwork, you need to use pipes made of metal and asbestos cement.
It is mandatory to reinforce the supports - reinforcing bars are mounted, and wire for horizontal jumpers is also attached.
After completing the work of tying the reinforcement, it is necessary to begin pouring the structure with concrete. The solution must be compacted in such a way that it fits as tightly as possible to the walls of the structure and the soil. This eliminates the appearance of voids.
One of the important stages is to ensure high-quality waterproofing, which is created using a durable roofing material layer applied on top of the blocks.
Then a grillage-shaped component is created.
The lintels are connected by thin reinforcing rods, forming a reliable frame.
The resulting form is poured with concrete mortar and left alone until the substance dries completely.

Pouring a Pillow: Step-by-Step Guide

But if you still plan to build a large house, you will have to make a pillow. To make it you need to adhere to the following algorithm:

First, install the formwork. These can be panels made of boards, OSB boards, plywood. It is recommended to wrap them inside with plastic film or roofing felt.
Then you make reinforcement - two belts of metal mesh, as well as rods. It is imperative to make vertical jumpers.
Pour the concrete at one time. You cannot pause for more than 1 hour.

Concrete must be poured along the upper edge of the formwork. Dismantling of the panels can be completed no earlier than after 4-7 days. Everything directly depends on weather conditions. And the blocks can be installed in at least 14 days. Then the concrete should be sprinkled with sawdust and moistened with water for 2-3 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of FBS blocks in the construction of strip foundations is advisable for several reasons:

Quick installation. Reinforced concrete blocks are laid using a truck crane, so construction work can be completed within 1-2 days.
Low labor intensity. When using FBS, there is no need to involve a large number of working personnel or spend additional time preparing significant volumes of cement-sand mixture.
Durability. Factory-made foundation blocks strictly comply with GOST requirements. This gives prefabricated foundations a significant advantage over monolithic ones, during the construction of which errors may be made in the process of calculating the proportions of concrete components.
High load-bearing capacity. FBS structures can withstand significant loads, which makes them suitable for the construction of not only private houses, but also heavy multi-storey buildings.

Disadvantages include:

structures made of reinforced concrete blocks are demanding on the quality of thermal insulation;
FBS cannot always be used on heaving and waterlogged soils;
a special reinforced concrete base must be laid under the foundations.

Scope of application of such a base

Such foundations are in most cases used in private construction. They do not have a high load-bearing capacity, which significantly limits their operational potential.

On soils that are not prone to heaving, one-story houses, bathhouses, and buildings for household purposes are erected on a columnar foundation.

If the construction is planned in an area with sandy, rocky or boulder soil, the load-bearing characteristics of the columnar foundation will be sufficient to build a full-fledged house from a log frame or a foam concrete block.

A columnar foundation does not imply the arrangement of a basement. If this criterion is important to you, you should consider the construction of other types of foundations.

You should not build such a foundation in the following cases:

erecting a large house with heavy walls;
on soils with a low level of bearing capacity, in areas with moving soils;
on sites with a natural height difference of more than a meter. In this case, it is necessary to plan the site.

How to lay FBS

In any row, laying begins from the corners. Then the blocks are placed in the places where the piers are drained. They are called lighthouses, and then all others are compared to them. Their vertical alignment is checked and corrections are made if necessary. Most often, the block must be lifted again, moved and replaced.

After the beacon elements are installed, the moorings are stretched - cords along which they are guided when installing the next blocks. They mark the boundaries of the wall, and so that the FBS stand symmetrically relative to the middle of the FL block (pillow block). The maximum permissible deviation is 12 mm. All subsequent rows of blocks should also be placed exactly above the middle.

When laying blocks, you must ensure that they are stacked one above the other without much displacement

It is more convenient to pull the cords 2-3 mm from the side surfaces of the lighthouse blocks. This will make it easier to display. Intermediate blocks are placed starting from the largest: first they put everything 2.4 meters long, then 1.2 and then 0.9. The correctness of their installation is checked against the marking cords, verticality - with a plumb line.

How to choose the sizes of FBS blocks

You can determine how many blocks you need for your foundation by selection. You can do this yourself on a plan drawn to scale. On the plan, you mark each block to the same scale.

The sizes of blocks for a FBS foundation are selected based on a simple rule: to increase the strength of the structure, you need to use the largest block sizes. Therefore, first you draw the 2.4 meter blocks installed in the corners, then, if they fit, draw them in the places where the partitions adjoin. Between them, you also place the largest blocks that can fit there. Where they no longer stand, place them in a smaller size. If there are any gaps that even the smallest block (0.9 meters) cannot fit into, don’t worry - these gaps are filled with brickwork.

Two types of prefabricated FBS strip foundations - with and without a cushion (shallow strip)

Draw the second row in a similar way, not forgetting about the displacement of the seams. If necessary, draw the third one in the same way. Then count the required number of blocks of each size. Do not throw away the resulting plan: it will be useful to you when installing the prefabricated foundation already on the site.

FBS masonry mortar

For laying foundation blocks, standard cement-sand mortar M-100 is used. It can be obtained using different cement grades and amounts of sand:

For 1 part of M300 cement take 2.5 parts of sand;
For 1 part of M400 cement there are already 3 parts of sand;
when using M500 sand, add 4 parts.

First, mix the dry ingredients until a homogeneous composition and color is obtained. Then gradually add 0.5 parts of water. If the solution turns out to be too thick, add water little by little in small portions. The consistency should be like thick sour cream: not lumpy, but not runny either.

Features of the construction of prefabricated foundations

All elements of the prefabricated structure of such a foundation are connected using cement mortar. The concrete mixture must be prepared before laying the structure. When making a solution, you must remember to monitor the correct ratio of its components so that the foundation is built efficiently.

To give the structure special strength, reinforcement must be installed between the rows. It will connect the blocks together.

Laying such a prefabricated foundation is practically no different from laying a foundation with ordinary bricks.

But we must not forget that the FBS block weighs significantly more than a brick and very often it is necessary to use special equipment, such as a crane or self-loader, to lay it. It is also necessary to ensure that the horizontal deviation of the foundation row for every 10 meters of masonry should not exceed 15 cm. The thickness of the seam between the blocks should be approximately 1.5 - 2 cm.

For construction you will need:

Laying FBS blocks

FBS blocksSandCrushed stoneCementSpatulaRebarConstruction mixerEdged board

Step-by-step installation instructions

The most important stage in the construction of a FBS foundation is competent design.

Such work should be entrusted to professional builders; saving on the services of specialists can lead to serious consequences, even leading to the premature transition of the building to an emergency condition.

At the preparatory stage the following is performed:

development of drawings;
the necessary calculations are carried out;
a clear work plan is drawn up.

Immediately before starting construction it is necessary:

prepare the construction site,
remove debris and excess vegetation,
provide unimpeded access for special equipment to enter the territory.

Excavation

The blocks can be laid in trenches or a foundation pit (if the building is planned to have a basement). The width of the trenches is calculated not by the dimensions of the FBS, but by the bases of the monolithic pillows, since they are wider.

Before starting earthworks, it is necessary to mark:

determine the corners of the building,
mark them with beacons,
stretch a strong cord between them.

The depth of trenches and pits can be 1000-1400 mm. This depends on the number of rows of FBS blocks, the level of soil freezing and other factors taken into account when developing the project.

Pillow device

To eliminate the possibility of subsidence of the foundation and walls of the building, cushions are installed at the bottom of trenches and pits.

To create them, sand (bottom layer up to 200 mm thick) and crushed stone (filled with the same layer on top of the sand) are used.

The materials must be filled in stages; every 10 cm the layers must be compacted to give them the required density.

It is advisable to perform compaction using a special vibrating plate. To achieve better compaction and speed up the process, the material should be moistened abundantly.

Arrangement of the sole

The sole on which FBS blocks will be subsequently installed can be made in two ways:

from ready-made FL blocks;
by creating a monolithic structure.

The first method is simpler and less expensive. FL blocks are more often used on dense, low-moving soils. The products are placed on top of the pillow, after which the seams between them are filled with concrete.

A formwork is created from edged boards on top of the gravel-sand cushion, and a reinforcement frame is placed inside it in two levels (upper and lower). Next, the formwork is filled with concrete mixture, the grade of which is selected individually for each project.

When the concrete reaches the specified strength (1-2 weeks), you can proceed directly to the installation of the FBS.

Laying blocks

To install FBS, a truck crane is used, since manual laying is impossible due to the large weight of the products (1-2 tons, depending on the size).
The blocks are laid on cement mortar, which is also used to fill the vertical joints between the elements.

Installation of FBS begins from the corner areas. A cord is pulled along the first installed blocks, which is used to install the next blocks more evenly.

Creation of an armored belt

When all FBS blocks are installed around the perimeter of the foundation, it is necessary to prepare a reinforcing belt. This structural element serves to strengthen the base and increase its strength characteristics.

The first stage is the creation of formwork. To do this, edged boards are installed on top of the FBS blocks, which must be securely fastened together.

A reinforcement frame made of steel rods with a thickness of at least 12 mm is installed in the formwork. The amount of reinforcement and the dimensions of the cells formed by longitudinal and transverse metal rods are determined during the development of the project. In most cases, from 2 to 4 longitudinal rods are installed.

The final stage is pouring the concrete mixture into the formwork. After it hardens, the wooden frame is dismantled.

Arrangement of waterproofing

FBS reinforced concrete blocks are sensitive to the effects of ground and atmospheric waters, therefore the creation of a waterproofing layer is a mandatory stage in the construction of the foundation.

It is allowed to use any suitable materials - both roll and liquid.

Many projects use bitumen mastics, which are easily applied to the side surfaces of blocks and provide reliable protection from moisture.

Foundation Construction Guide

The procedure for arranging a block base is reduced to the sequential implementation of several technological stages. Follow the guide and everything will definitely work out.

The first stage is preparatory

First, let's get acquainted with the features of the blocks themselves, and also study recommendations for their selection and overall work planning.

Foundation blocks are produced using the vibrocompression method and are used advantageously for the construction of supporting structures. Also, such blocks are suitable for laying walls of basement floors.

Before starting work, it is necessary to create a project for the future foundation. To do this, open any computer program with the appropriate functions and draw the layout of our blocks. This way we can thoroughly understand the order of their installation and bandaging. If you don’t have the skills to work with such programs, we draw the masonry the old fashioned way on paper.

Project of a stepped foundation made of FBS

Most often, the width of the first row of a block support is maintained at 400 mm. For the next two rows this figure is reduced to 300 mm. Knowing the required dimensions of the structure and the required number of blocks, you can go to a specialized store to purchase them. As a rule, such stores offer services for the delivery and installation of building materials, which is very convenient.

Important! You must decide in advance where utility lines will be installed and select blocks taking these points into account. Masonry elements with pre-drilled holes are available for sale. If you forget about this event, holes will have to be drilled in the future, which will require additional time, labor and financial costs.

Stage two – excavation work

Study the construction site carefully. Think about where it will be most convenient to place the crane, what may interfere during operation, etc. If possible, eliminate any existing interference. Next, the work is performed in the standard manner.

First step. We determine the corners of the future structure and drive pegs into them. We stretch ropes between the rods, and then place intermediate marking elements in the places of future arrangement of external and internal walls.

Second step. Digging a pit. According to the standards, the depth of the pit should be equal to the freezing depth increased by 20-25 cm. But in some regions, the freezing depth can reach two meters - the costs of arranging such a foundation will be inappropriate. Therefore, a value of 80-100 cm was taken as the golden mean. We stick to it. Additionally, it is recommended to remove the top fertile soil layer (10-20 cm) around the perimeter of the remaining space of the site.

The third stage - arrangement of the sole

There are 2 options for arranging a block base: on a sand cushion and on a concrete base. The second type of support is suitable for unstable soils, however, pouring a concrete base significantly increases the cost of effort, time and money for construction.

Until the moment of arrangement of the compacted sand cushion, inclusive, the procedure for constructing both types of foundation is the same. The actual process of constructing a foundation structure on a concrete support begins with the stage of installing formwork and laying reinforcement.

We first prepare crushed stone of 20-40 fractions, sand and reinforcement. Next we work in this sequence.

First step. We level the walls and bottom of the pit to arrange the sole.

Second step. We fill the hole with a 10-15 cm layer of sand, spill it with water and compact it thoroughly.

Third step. We fill the sand cushion with a 10-centimeter layer of crushed stone and compact it again.

Next, the formwork is installed and the reinforcing mesh is laid.

Stage four – installation of formwork and reinforcement

For assembling the formwork, a 25 mm thick edged board is suitable. We fasten the formwork boards in a suitable way. Typically self-tapping screws are used for this. We place the formwork along the walls of the pit and be sure to check the evenness of its installation using a level.

For reinforcement we use steel rods with a diameter of 12-14 mm. We will tie them into a mesh with cells of 10x10 cm (15x15 cm is possible) using flexible wire. As a rule, reinforcement is performed in 2 layers, with the lower and upper mesh placed at approximately the same distance from the crushed stone and the top of the future fill, respectively. To attach the mesh, we first drive vertical reinforcement bars into the base. If necessary (for example, if the construction of a large and massive building is planned), the number of reinforcing layers can be increased.

Fifth stage - filling the pillow

We fill the entire structure below with concrete. Pour slowly, in an even layer. In several places we pierce the filling with fittings to remove excess air. Carefully level the surface of the pillow.

We leave our structure to gain strength for 3-4 weeks. In hot weather, concrete must be periodically moistened with water to prevent it from cracking.

Let's move on to laying the blocks

Stage six - laying blocks

To lay FBS, as noted, you will need to call a crane. The equipment will lift heavy building elements. You and your assistants will need to correct the blocks and place them in the designated places.

Installation of FBS blocks

For masonry you will need concrete mortar grade M100. On average, the installation of one block takes about 10-15 liters of this solution.

First, we place the blocks in the corners, for better orientation we stretch a rope between them and sequentially fill the spans with blocks according to the level. Fill vertical seams with mortar. We lay the next rows of blocks on the solution in the opposite direction. We gradually move from corners and external masonry to internal partitions. We regularly check the quality and correctness of the work performed using a level.

Seventh stage - waterproofing

For waterproofing, it is most convenient to use liquid mastic. We carefully coat the internal and external walls of the foundation with an insulating compound.

In regions with particularly generous precipitation, it is recommended to additionally lay a layer of roofing material for better waterproofing.

Block foundation: we build quickly and reliably

Laying the foundation is the most important moment. The foundation of the house bears the heaviest load, therefore the strength and durability of the entire structure depend on the correctly chosen type of foundation, competently carried out work on its construction, adherence to deadlines and standards, and the use of high-quality materials.

What is a block foundation?

Various technologies for laying the foundation of a house are known, and construction using concrete blocks occupies a worthy place among others. A block foundation is a structure made of concrete and reinforcement embedded in the blocks themselves. There is no need to make a separate reinforcement foundation frame and then fill it with concrete mortar. Everything is ready here. Maximum of 5 days to lay the first layer (reinforced monolithic tape) and for it to dry. And then the blocks are installed according to the principle of brickwork.

A block foundation is quick and easy to make on your own. The only thing you need is a crane and 2-3 people to help. The blocks are laid in any weather - in snow or rain there are no problems with installation, which saves time. In the short period allotted by nature for construction, all planned work can be completed. Therefore, foundation blocks are increasingly gaining popularity and trust among private domestic developers.

The foundation of blocks determines the reliability and durability of the entire structure.

Advantages and disadvantages of block foundations

Advantages of using concrete blocks:

the speed of the structure is, in fact, a monolithic base of the structure that has already been pre-broken into fragments, which quickly folds into the desired configuration;
versatility - the ability to build a foundation of any complexity;
reliability - the use of reinforced concrete products (RCP), manufactured in industrial conditions with quality control at each stage of production, will make it possible to obtain a foundation much stronger than the classic one;
stress resistance - some brands of concrete products include special additives, which makes the construction of block foundations successful even in permafrost areas;
ease of installation - no formwork required;
strictness of geometry - each product line has an exact predetermined strength, foundation blocks of the same size are clearly adjusted to each other and equipped with special grooves for their tight joining.

But along with the advantages, block foundations also have their disadvantages:

price - the considerable weight of reinforced concrete products requires the use of special equipment, which undoubtedly increases the cost of construction:
the need for thorough waterproofing - unlike solid poured foundations, they consist of blocks and mortar, which have different physical properties (level of water absorption, frost resistance) and therefore react differently to environmental influences, due to which waterproofing should be done after laying;
low resistance to heat loss.

Of course, some shortcomings can be corrected - make external insulation, for example, with expanded polystyrene, which will reliably protect weak points (connecting seams) and extend the life of the block foundation. Or choose small blocks so as not to attract heavy construction equipment.

You can compensate for the low resistance of a block foundation to heat loss by insulating its outer surface with extruded polystyrene foam

However, all these additional measures also have a significant impact on the construction budget, so if savings are a decisive factor for you, then it is better to choose a different type of foundation that is less expensive. And since the speed of construction comes first, then, of course, blocks have the advantage.

Advantages of FBS blocks

The main positive aspects of these blocks can be identified based on their characteristics. Among them, the following stand out:

Frost resistance.

This material for the construction of the supporting structure of a building is produced taking into account all the requirements for the structure being erected, therefore frost-resistant additives are added to the composition for the blocks. They make it possible to build a foundation in areas with a harsh climate, which is characterized by sudden temperature changes. A huge range of types. Currently, manufacturers of FBS blocks offer customers a huge selection of types of these structures.

Types of material differ in size, composition and configuration. Thanks to this, each client has the opportunity to choose the appropriate material for the foundation, taking into account all the requirements for the future building. Construction of FBS foundation Resistance to negative external factors. A foundation made of such material is not susceptible to environmental influences, so the installation of a foundation made of FSB blocks can be carried out even on soil that is highly acidic. Low price.

Waterproofing

For high-quality waterproofing of a building, it is necessary to have a proper drainage system around the foundation.

Waterproofing the foundation itself is needed for two purposes: preventing moisture from penetrating into the structure of the house from the foundation (done on the horizontal surface of the foundation) and preventing moisture from penetrating into the foundation from the soil and the environment, so that the concrete does not collapse when this moisture freezes. Let's talk about the second one.

It is done in many ways:

coating - bitumen, polymer and epoxy mastics are used for this;
spraying liquid plastic mass (polyurethane) is the most expensive, but also very effective method;
plastering - special plaster mixtures with plasticizing additives are used for this;
pasting - films (with polymer glue) and membranes and glass insulation (they are self-adhesive).

Pasting, as a rule, is combined with coating with mastic before and after pasting. If the pasting is multilayer, a mesh is laid between its layers, which is used for conventional plastering.

The placement of layers when pasting should only be vertical; the vertical overlap should not be less than 10 centimeters, the horizontal overlap should not be less than 30, and pasting should be done from below.

Dependence of the choice of block foundation on the characteristics of the site

Before designing a house, it is necessary to order a geodetic report on the features of the site.

You can, of course, get it from your neighbors, but it won’t be entirely reliable. Sometimes even neighboring areas differ greatly in soil, water, and other characteristics.

Priming

Textbook “Soils. Foundations. Choosing the optimal foundation" classifies soils as follows:

Rocky soils are, rather, crystalline rock, rock rather than earth, and sedimentary rock (dolomite, compressed sandstone, shale, shell rock, limestone). Any foundation is acceptable except a pile foundation (it is difficult to drill into rock).
Conglomerates are fragments of varieties of rocky soils; do not erode or change in volume when freezing; Any foundation is acceptable.
Non-rocky soils:
unbound - sandy and sandy loam soils; when wet they tend to move and freeze shallowly; Any type of foundation is suitable.

Soil type may vary even in adjacent areas

If your site is a mass of rock, untouched sandstone or sedimentary rocks, then you can easily install a block foundation. It is also good if the soil of the site consists of sand or dense loamy soils.

Table: minimum foundation depth in sand and clay

The soil	Minimum depth (m)
1	Sand	0,5
2	Clay	0,7

To get an approximate understanding of what soils are available on your site, there is an old-fashioned method: drill a hole with a garden drill and examine soil samples from different depths. The sample is moistened with water, and if it can be kneaded like dough, then it is loam. If the earth dissolves in water, it contains a large percentage of loamy component. If sediment falls, there is clay at the bottom and sand above it.

To test the soil, you need to place a sample in a glass of water.

Groundwater

The groundwater level is the most important characteristic of soils. If the level is small, then a shallow strip foundation made of blocks is perfect for us. If it is quite high, then the tape should be buried to a greater depth.

The structure of groundwater in your area has a huge impact on the choice of foundation type

Freezing depth

The freezing depth in our area is on average up to one meter, but deviations are possible. If you are making a deep foundation from blocks, then its lowest point should be below the freezing point of the soil.

Freezing depth is a factor influencing the foundation depth

The most dangerous factor is directly related to the level of soil water and soil classification.

Water "lenses"

Where permeable sand or sandy loam lies on a layer of clay, precipitation penetrates through the upper soil and remains under it in the form of so-called “lenses” that lie on an impermeable base and can severely damage the foundation. You need to be sure that there will be no “lenses” on the way to laying the block foundation.

If there are “lenses” in the soil, only a pile-strip foundation is used

Choosing a foundation

The choice of the shape of the foundation made of blocks depends on all of the above factors - soil, water balance, the presence of lenses, freezing depth, combined into one geodetic conclusion. But it depends on your preferences, and on the blocks that you may already have, and even on the time of year. Therefore, you need to understand the main advantages, milestones and dangers of constructing each block foundation.

As we already know, there are two types of block foundations: columnar and strip.

Strip foundations made of blocks can be shallow, non- and deeply buried. It is built from expanded clay, foam and cinder blocks, concrete blocks, concrete panels laid on a bed of drainage mixture. Not very suitable for unreliable soils, but the problem is usually solved by deepening and widening the “ribbon”, laying a widened concrete or block base from cushion blocks and creating a permanent reinforced concrete grillage.
A columnar block foundation is perhaps the simplest and most inexpensive to construct. It can also be shallow, non- and deeply buried and is also made from expanded clay, foam and cinder blocks, concrete blocks, concrete panels (non-monolithic pillars), laid in pits (if the pillar is buried) or simply on the ground (if not buried) on a bed of drainage mixtures. Suitable for light buildings such as frame houses, gazebos and greenhouses and any soil except swampy ones.

How to calculate the need for blocks for the foundation yourself

When planning the construction of the foundation of a house from FBS blocks, the question is always tormented: “How to correctly calculate the need for blocks for constructing a foundation or basement walls.”

The calculation of the number of FBS blocks required for construction is based on the overall dimensions of one element.

There are several types of reinforced concrete blocks, which differ in size and weight.

Before you start calculating the needs of blocks, it is worth deciding on the brand of products that are selected for arranging the foundations of the building. After this, the volume of one FBS block from which the foundation will be laid is calculated (V b).

The calculation continues - it is necessary to measure the volume of the planned foundation (Vf), for which the length, width and height of the planned foundation structure made of FBS blocks are determined.

The number of blocks is determined by the formula:

The result of a simple calculation will show the actually required number of FBS blocks for constructing the foundation of a house. The final amount in the calculation may not turn out to be round; it is worth taking into account the multiple sizes of reinforced concrete structures, selecting materials of the required size, taking into account the design load indicators.

Calculation of the need for blocks for the walls of the basement and ground floor is carried out in a similar way.

Foundation blocks pros + and cons

Each type of building material has pros and cons. FBS is no exception. To begin with, it is worth considering the advantages of the blocks of the sample in question. The FBS foundation is:

Availability of GOST 13579-78 standards, which regulate the production of concrete blocks of certain sizes and characteristics
High speed of construction work. The basement of the building is laid out over several days, which is achieved using a crane.
The strength of the factory-produced blocks is confirmed by a strict control system and an automated process. Compliance with the proportions of components during manufacturing
FBS has a positive effect on the final result of construction work
Simplicity and versatility. Installation work does not require special skills. Using a wide range of sizes, it is possible to assemble the base of a building of a suitable configuration and complexity
Possibility of construction work in different climatic conditions
Ease of assembly is made possible thanks to the presence of mounting loops and grooves

Speaking about the disadvantages of FBS, it is worth noting the high cost of building materials. Also among the disadvantages is the large capacity of a monolithic foundation. Concrete blocks are demanding on soil characteristics, which also complicates the work in some circumstances. The seams between the blocks need waterproofing. FBS foundations must be insulated against freezing in cold regions of the country.