Do-it-yourself pile foundation: step-by-step instructions, pouring a pile

February 27, 2022 Stroyexpert Home page » Foundation » Types and types

Do-it-yourself poured piles

The construction of a house, like any other structure, must be approached responsibly. Each stage from site planning to building cladding requires attention and precision. The key to a strong and reliable house is a well-built foundation. However, work at this stage may be hampered by various factors, among which the first place is occupied by climate and soil conditions. Under some conditions, constructing a conventional type of foundation may not be possible. In this case, a foundation on piles comes to the rescue.

Pros and cons of foundations on piles

It is not recommended to install it only in swampy, flooded areas, where excess moisture will lead to rapid thinning of the trunk walls.
In other cases, this is simply an ideal choice. Considering the pros and cons, it is clearly clear that the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. However, there is one big “BUT”.

Electromechanical corrosion

The screw support must be manufactured in accordance with standards and from high-quality steel. And after that, it must also be checked by the quality control department using ultrasound or x-ray. The main problems for developers who have opted for a pile-screw foundation usually arise precisely because of defective materials.

Concrete piles are more susceptible to corrosion - myth or reality?

It would seem that the technology is simple and necessary, but its feasibility, however, has been questioned. Some companies do not use concreting of the pile shaft, since, from their point of view, it reduces the service life of the foundation. This opinion is supported by the fact that metal and concrete have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Because of this discrepancy, microgaps are allegedly formed in which moisture accumulates, and in the presence of oxygen access, corrosion proceeds at an accelerated pace.

These arguments have no basis in reality and are easily refuted. The coefficients of linear thermal expansion of steel and concrete differ little from each other, and the existing insignificant difference cannot cause a conflict of materials. Structures made of steel and concrete behave similarly to homogeneous structures both at subzero temperatures and under non-stationary thermal conditions. This is what makes it possible to use such materials as reinforced concrete and pipe concrete.

Even if cavities remain in the concrete solution, the absence of the possibility of air penetration will minimize the likelihood of condensation forming in them on the inner wall of the trunk. When pouring the cast solution, air is displaced from the barrel and the formation of cavities becomes unlikely. The main advantage of this technology is that concrete is an alkaline medium (pH more than 7 units) and prevents metal corrosion processes. For example, in reinforced concrete, the reinforcement is preserved due to the presence of a protective layer of concrete several centimeters thick, which ensures the presence of an alkaline environment around the steel rods. Corrosion of reinforcement in reinforced concrete is possible only in the presence of highly aggressive environments or a change in pH level downward due to carbonization. This is only possible in open contact with air or water. Therefore, water that gets into the cavities, cracks and gaps of the hardened concrete inside the pipe does not change the pH level. Concrete does not have a negative effect on the metal, but is a protective medium.

Moreover, filling a steel pipe with concrete increases the rigidity of the elements, increases the local stability of the walls and dampens vibrations.

Arrangement of reinforcement frame

For this purpose, you need to stock up on some tools and materials. These include the following:

Frame for piles

Ten-millimeter reinforcing rod;
Welding device;
It is also recommended to prepare a grinder and a tape measure - they will also be needed.

It is worth noting that strengthening the foundation with piles is always accompanied by reinforcement of the latter. There are two ways in which this operation can be performed. The main thing is to know that the outgoing rods should be slightly higher than the top of the surface that is planned to be poured in the future. This is done in such a way that the arrangement of the reinforcing bars begins at a height of five centimeters above the ground.

So, let's start looking at the first, simple method. To implement it, you need to stock up on two rods, the length of which must exceed by ten centimeters the value required for pouring. As for such an indicator as the distance between the foundation piles, it is also equal to ten centimeters. The following actions are related to welding rods. For this purpose, a step of ten centimeters is used.

After this, another such strip should be produced, the cells within which are located similarly. At the end, you need to place the jumpers opposite each other. After connecting them, we will get a long square-shaped frame, the edge of which will be ten centimeters.

Pouring a pile with concrete

There is another method, which is much more complicated and much more expensive. But, at the same time, such a solution can be called much more reliable. Its use cannot be called frequent enough, since it will require bending reinforcing bars into rings, the diameter of which ranges from twelve to fifteen centimeters. In this case, the ends of the circles must be welded together. The number of rings is determined based on length calculations. So, for example, you will need one piece for every fifteen centimeters. The same should be done when there is a foundation on bored piles.

After completing the production of the required number of rings, you can begin to stretch them onto the frame structure. For this purpose, you should take rods of the required length and weld them to each of the rings in a circle. In this case, a three-centimeter step is taken. In cases where the influencing forces are not so high, the step can be increased to four centimeters. In order to secure the reinforcement at the required level, it is necessary to place two horizontal rods at the top, after which the formwork structure is laid on them. And only then the main frame is welded.

Durability

If we talk about concrete, then according to the unchanged GOST 27751-2014, if everything is done in accordance with the technology, then such a foundation will last at least 50 years. In this case, it is necessary to take into account operating conditions, quality of materials, negative environmental influences, waterproofing and much more. Only with an ideal balance of all characteristics will the concrete foundation last the stated period.

At the same time, 1 mm of steel (St20), which is usually used to make piles, will last at least 40 years without any coating, even if it is located in loam. But piles are made with a wall thickness of up to 6.5 mm. But you need to take into account loads and other parameters. But in any case, piles certainly cannot last less than concrete. Even if the piles are installed in the so-called aggressive soil (where there is slag, ash, etc.), the structure will still fully meet the requirements of GOST.

Healthy! Galvanized piles should not be installed. Even in the best conditions, they last no more than 15-20 years.

Types of screw foundation

According to the configuration and purpose of the blades there are:

Broad-bladed - a typical version with one blade in 1–1.5 strokes.
Multi-blade - with several blades.
Narrow bladed - with a tip in the form of a screw for 5–8 turns of the screw.

Various types depending on soil

The first option is intended for light buildings and stable soils. The second type of screw piles is used when it is necessary to improve the load-bearing capacity of a support with compensation for its vertical movements, as well as for tall and heavy cottages with a total weight of 2-3 floors.

The third type is for foundations on soils with an abundance of stones. For permafrost conditions, it is also recommended to take a narrow-bladed analogue, only it does not have a pointed end, but an open cut with teeth along the perimeter.

The pile tip can be cast (VSL) or welded (SWS). The first one costs more. However, it is more durable and able to withstand greater loads than its welded counterpart. If the soil at the construction site is dense or the foundation needs to be made for a large house, then it is better to spend money and get one with a cast tip.

Pouring concrete solution

During all stages of construction work, you can immediately notice that screw piles for the foundation are a complete exception from all other foundations. The pouring process also differs from standard technologies. So, for example, instead of the traditional mixture of concrete grade M300, you should use M500, which is distinguished by its strength characteristics. As a result, you will be dealing with a rather thick solution. And it may take about six minutes to knead one batch. If possible, it is preferable to order a ready-made mixture.

When pouring, you must be extremely careful and approach this matter with the utmost care. So, for example, try to touch the reinforcement as little as possible, as this often leads to its shifting. Then, when the mixture is poured, it needs to be covered with plastic wrap. The structure should be left in this form for about one month. Next, you can remove the plastic film and the formwork structure. At this point, the construction of the structure can be considered completed.

How to make a false base

The false base is designed to protect the space of the pile field under the house from the penetration of animals or birds, snow sweeping in winter, from wind and moisture. To create such a base, various materials are used.

The most budget-friendly and aesthetically attractive option is a strip of corrugated board along the outer perimeter. It is attached at the top to a special wooden board installed around the perimeter of the grillage.

The lower part is attached to a wooden beam laid on stands made of brick, cinder block, etc. to cut off contact with the ground.

A concrete ebb should be installed along the lower edge, and an ebb should be installed along the upper edge to drain rainwater.

Useful tips for installing screw piles

The pile will not enter the ground strictly vertically; it will need to be constantly leveled and returned to the design position, so it is better that the work is carried out by at least three people: two act on the lever and one checks the accuracy. To prevent it from moving, special devices are sometimes used to fix it.
If, while screwing, an obstacle or a layer of dense soil is found in the path of the pile, the penetration depth and location are analyzed. If it is not located at the corners of the house and you manage to insert it into the ground a meter or more, you can simply cut off the top and leave everything as is. With a depth of less than a meter, there is a possibility of the house skewing. At the corners, the piles should be installed to their full length, since these are the most critical areas.
The final stage of installation may be concreting. It will provide additional reliability, but this process is not necessary in the case of screw foundations.

Departments

Accounting

The accounting department has all the necessary information about the receipt of payments from Clients for services provided by GlavFundament (sale of screw piles, construction of foundations on screw piles, express geology, design of foundations on screw piles, civil and industrial facilities). Each Client has the opportunity to promptly receive information about the receipt of his payment to the organization’s account. The department's tasks also include issuing invoices and documents closing the reporting period.

Vasiliev Denis Alexandrovich

Corporate department

The Corporate Department is responsible for fulfilling contractual obligations to Partners for the supply of screw piles to the GlavFundament company (quantity, nomenclature, assortment, timing and other terms of delivery). The department provides assistance in working with other departments and separate divisions of the company, providing the Partner with marketing, technical and logistics support, and promptly compiles financial estimates and other documents.

Head of Corporate Department

Kopev Evgeniy Sergeevich

Human Resources Department

The HR department of the GlavFundament company occupies a responsible position in the development of the organization's plans in terms of providing it with labor resources, carrying out selection, admission, official employment, adaptation, accounting and dismissal of employees.

The tasks of the department include carrying out work on the formation and preparation of a reserve of personnel for appointment to appropriate positions, advising senior management and heads of departments on personnel policy issues in the development of projects, the production of screw piles, and construction. The department evaluates the performance of each employee of the organization.

Head of HR Department

Dubovik Elvira Gizetdinovna

R&D department

The Research and Development Department (R&D) is engaged in research into the nature of the joint work of screw piles with soil, development and implementation of innovations in the field of pile foundation construction.

The department’s specialists create technological solutions that make it possible to reduce work time and reduce costs without compromising quality.

The department’s tasks also include organizing scientific cooperation with departments of construction universities dealing with foundation engineering problems, providing consulting and information assistance to employees of the company’s structural divisions.

Head of R&D Department

Glazachev Anton Olegovich

Sales department

The sales department is the link between the company and the Client, carrying out the interaction process from the first contact to the end of the contractual relationship.

The department provides consultation, preliminary calculation of the cost of screw piles purchased by the Client, technical support, and conclusion of contracts.

Head of Regional Sales Department

Akatiev Sergey Nikolaevich

Advertising and PR Department

The advertising department is a structural unit tasked with determining the direction, planning and organizing advertising campaigns, as well as developing advertising and information materials.

The advertising department of the GlavFundament company carries out work on advertising its products (screw piles) and services provided (installation of foundations on screw piles, design and redesign of foundations and buildings/structures), and is working on concluding agreements for advertising products and/or services with third-party organizations.

In addition, advertising department specialists promptly notify Clients about various promotions and advertising campaigns, plan participation in exhibitions, and enter into agreements with organizing committees of fairs and construction forums.

Sergin Roman Petrovich

Purchase department

The purchasing department makes decisions regarding the purchase of raw materials required for the production of screw piles, being responsible for concluding product supply contracts and selecting suppliers.

Department employees provide information on the purchase of materials necessary for construction, advise on price categories, and also quickly calculate the cost and delivery time of screw piles to a particular region to organize the delivery of cargo to any point in Russia or the CIS countries.

Head of Procurement Department

Nurgaliev Rinat Razitovich

Planning and Economic Department

The economic planning department calculates the cost of any types of construction and installation work, materials for building a foundation for an individual customer project, as well as the cost of special equipment. orders for screw piles and metal structures that are not included in the company’s standard product line.

The department assists the accounting department in collecting the necessary reporting documents.

Head of Planning and Economic Department

Shushpanova Maria Alekseevna

Project department

The architectural bureau of the GlavFundament company provides a full range of services for the design of buildings and/or structures in modern calculation software systems, regardless of the level of complexity of the object. The department carries out concept development and architectural design, providing for the reconstruction of residential and public buildings; interior design, designer's supervision, preparation and coordination of project documentation, furnishing with furniture, equipment and decorative finishing materials. If necessary, the specialists of the architectural bureau can select a ready-made building/structure project for the Client from an extensive database of ready-made projects.

Head of Project Department

Busygina Ekaterina Alexandrovna

Technical Supervision Service

The Technical Control Department carries out independent quality control of products and completed construction work for compliance with the requirements of building regulations, state standards, technical specifications and technical documentation, guaranteeing this compliance to the consumer.

The department conducts field tests to determine the load-bearing capacity of piles in certain soil conditions, identifies inconsistencies in product quality with building regulations, and resolves emerging technical issues when installing screw piles at the construction site.

Khamitov Ruslan Fanirovich

Legal department

The legal department of the GlavFundament company represents the legal protection of the interests of the organization and mandatory checks for compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation of agreements concluded by the Company when purchasing raw materials for the production of screw piles and supplying products.

The department provides advice to heads of structural divisions and employees of the enterprise on legal issues. Also, in case of any claims, any Client can seek advice from a company lawyer.

The legal department is called upon to resolve any disagreements during the conclusion and execution of contracts, choosing the best option for developing the relationship between the Company and the Client.

Reinforced concrete and prefabricated grillage types

If a pile foundation is being erected in an area with strong winds and snow, then the construction of a grillage is mandatory

The foundation elements that are placed on top of the pile structure are called a grillage. It is necessary in particular for connecting supports located along the perimeter of the building. It also takes on most of the mass from the residential building.

If the building has a lot of weight, taking into account the impact of temporary loads from wind and snow in the winter, then installing a grillage structure is simply necessary. If the house is small in size, the additional grillage structure is not used. In this situation, the entire load is transferred to the ground through supports.

Grillage arrangement

The grillage can be of several types, for example, such as: prefabricated metal or monolithic. The reinforced concrete type of structure is considered more reliable than the prefabricated one, since in the first case there are no abutment seams, and the second method is connected by welding. Therefore, in the case of a massive structure, it is better to use a monolithic grillage.

The disadvantage of this method is the high cost and long installation time. Prefabricated grillages, due to quick installation and low cost, are used in small-scale construction of country houses much more often

But it is important to comply with all requirements when installing such a structure, otherwise the bearing capacity of the foundation will be reduced

Brands of concrete used

Before starting work, you need to find out which concrete is best used to strengthen the screw post. Usually, low-fraction concrete M200, M300 is used for concreting.

Composition of concrete M200.

Brand M200 is most often used for the construction of one-story or two-story houses with light ceilings. This brand is used when working with reinforced concrete products; according to its strength characteristics, it is classified as structural.

The M300 grade is suitable for the construction of foundations for private houses up to five floors high. It is recommended to adapt such concrete to monolithic types of floors.

Types of screw foundation

According to the configuration and purpose of the blades there are:

Broad-bladed - a typical version with one blade in 1–1.5 strokes.
Multi-blade - with several blades.
Narrow bladed - with a tip in the form of a screw for 5–8 turns of the screw.

Various types depending on soil

Pile foundations yesterday, today, tomorrow

The technology of manufacturing buildings for various purposes on free-standing supports has been known to mankind for thousands of years. And today it remains relevant and is being improved. The very first pile foundation consisted of hewn pillars of round cross-section driven into the ground, which were scraps of tree trunks. The installation process was quite complex and time-consuming, but was widely used, especially in areas of frequent flooding.

Currently, this technology has practically disappeared, since making a pile foundation for a house with your own hands from logs is unreasonably expensive and physically demanding. Already in the last century, reinforced concrete piles began to be widely used as supports vertically installed in the soil, which were also driven into the ground using various mechanical devices. This support option had a number of advantages:

Pile foundation technologies

The strength of the rods was incomparably higher than that of wood, which preserved them during installation and further operation;
Reinforced concrete supports made it possible to significantly increase the total load on the foundation, which made it possible to build multi-story structures on such foundations without fear;

According to their cross-sectional shape, such piles were produced mainly in three types - round, rectangular and hexagonal. Each of them was justified for certain specific soil and climatic conditions present in the construction area.

Gradually, the technology of pile foundations was adjusted and changed significantly. Instead of using ready-made reinforced concrete supports driven into the soil, they began to make them directly in the construction zone, after drilling wells of a suitable diameter and depth. This technology is called a pile-rammed foundation, which can be made even by non-professional builders.

Types of piles

Another fairly new type of pile foundation is the foundation of a house on screw supports. They are pointed steel pipes equipped with helical blades at the lower working end, similar to a screw. In contrast to this fastener, one or two threads are usually used. The technology for installing a pile foundation on piles in the form of screws is similar to the process of screwing in a self-tapping screw. There are also multi-turn piles.

As noted above, building a foundation for a house on stilts with your own hands or by professional workers is advisable for fairly loose, unreliable soils. The pile is introduced to the depth of a solid geological layer and rests on it, thus transferring the entire load from the structure. In a similar way, the rods work with their entire lateral surface, using friction force.

Limitation of pile foundations

The limitation for the use of pile foundations is rocky soils, as well as those with a high level of rock outcropping. In this case, the implementation of supports of any type will be complicated, and the calculated depth may not be achieved.

Preliminary work

Before you make piles for the foundation, you need to do some preliminary work. As part of this stage, you should prepare some materials, among which the following can be noted:

It is necessary to stock up on material from which the formwork structure will be created in the future;
You should also prepare a tape measure;
A drill with attachments for volume and length.

Filled pile

During the preparatory work, it is necessary to clearly mark the perimeter and also calculate the required number of pile supports. Next, excavation work is carried out, which is performed using a hand drill. This is not the easiest of stages, but it can be done with your own hands. A drill should be installed in the selected area, and slowly, using rotational movements, they plunge deep into the soil.

It is worth noting that it is necessary to remove the drill from the ground every thirty centimeters, after which it is shaken off nearby. If this condition is neglected, then after just one meter the drill will simply be impossible to reach. This is explained by the adhesion of too heavy a mass of soil. When the drill is completely inserted into the soil, you should remove and install one attachment. In the future, the manufacture of piles for the foundation involves repeating such actions until the drill goes to the required depth. Before completing such work, you should put specialized attachments on the drill, which make it possible to expand the installation platform. Thanks to the use of this option, it becomes possible to achieve the greatest increase in mass, which contributes to a colossal increase in load-bearing capacity.

If the choice fell on a permanent formwork structure, then a metal profile is perfect for these purposes. In addition, thanks to its design features, it is possible to achieve a significant extension of the service life of the columns. In this case, only one drawback is noticed - the relatively high cost.

Another solution is an insulating box made of polystyrene foam. This option is quite relevant in the northern regions. In any case, you can arrange the formwork for foundation piles yourself. The height of the resulting structure should be approximately twenty centimeters. In cases where there are significant unevenness of the ground surface, this value is taken as nominal. In other words, it is to this height that the remaining pile supports rise.

Scope of application of foundations on piles

The use of a pile foundation is related to the characteristics of the area where construction work is expected to take place. Most often, piles are used under the following conditions:

The presence of weak soil, which predominates in peat bogs and wetlands. Weak or unstable soil is one that loses its stability when water penetrates. When building on such soil, it is necessary to transfer the load of the structure to a denser layer located deeper.
High location of groundwater, which has a detrimental effect on the traditional foundation.
Uneven terrain on the site.
Movable soil, which also negatively affects many types of foundation.
Construction in regions with a predominance of constant low temperatures. The construction of buried types of foundation in such an area is simply impossible. A pile foundation reduces the volume of excavation work, such as digging pits or trenches, and removing released soil.
The proximity of any bodies of water.
The small construction budget does not allow hiring workers to build a traditional foundation. The pile foundation is erected quickly and at minimal cost.

Foundation piles on problematic soils ensure the reliability and strength of the structure. However, it is not recommended to build large objects on such a foundation. This is explained by the fact that the foundation on piles has a small load-bearing capacity.

What is a strip foundation on piles?

The pile-strip foundation combines the advantages of two types - column and flat strip foundations. The first carries out the main work on interaction with the ground, and the second ensures the distribution of the load of the walls of the structure.

At the same time, the material requirement for materials for building the foundation is significantly reduced and labor costs are reduced.

Application area

Piles and strip foundations are suitable for the construction of a wide variety of buildings, from fences to brick houses, wooden beams and more modern materials such as cellular concrete, foam blocks, etc.

When using logs, they themselves can act as a pile grinder. If the structure consists of small elements, it is necessary to have a rover.

There are several options for pile and strip foundations. The differences lie in the design of the lattice and the manufacture of piles. In the simplest case, protocols can be used as such.

This is a short-lived material, but it is cheap. Typically, coniferous wood is used and it must be impregnated with mixtures to protect against mold, fungi, etc.

Piles are not installed without the use of special equipment, so there is no need to talk about their use in independent work. And they are not easy to deliver. .

Monolithic

A monolithic foundation includes the production of a monolithic reinforced concrete branch strip, regardless of the type of pile.

This allows you to build almost any building from any modern material.

The load from such a foundation can be very high, although the load is slightly higher than with simpler options.

Screw

Another possibility is to use prefabricated auger piles.

These are iron structures with threaded blades at the end. They will remind someone of a screw or a drill, but they are really screwed into the ground.

This type of piles is produced with diameters of 57 mm and lengths of 1650 mm. Considering the corrosion resistance of the material from which the piles are made, it is not recommended to use them on soils with a high acid content (pH less than 5.5).

It turns out that attention to the acid-base balance is also important when constructing a pile foundation. For building a house, the optimal stack size is 108 or 133 mm in diameter and 2500 mm in length. After all, cutting off the excess is easier than welding the missing one, especially since this length in most cases allows you to go below the soil freezing line

After all, cutting off the excess is easier than welding the missing one, especially since this length in most cases allows you to go below the soil freezing line

For building a house, the optimal stack size is 108 or 133 mm in diameter and 2500 mm in length. After all, cutting off the excess is easier than welding the missing one, especially since this length in most cases allows you to go below the soil freezing line.

The advantages of this type of piles include but are not limited to the following:

Minimal excavation required.
It's a little labor intensive.
High speed when performing work.
High “stability” in the ground due to the narrow entrance to the ground.

The disadvantages of piles are that the piles require space to be screwed in, making them difficult to install near other buildings, and they have poor corrosion resistance.

With bored piles

These piles are manufactured locally. A hole is drilled in the pile, formwork is installed, reinforcement is installed if necessary, and concrete is poured.

This option applies to almost all soil types. The main thing is that the depth of the piles should be greater than the depth of soil freezing in the area.

The benefits of this type of fund include but are not limited to the following benefits

Low cost.
Simplicity and speed of installation.
You can do without special construction equipment.

Among the disadvantages, it is especially difficult to maintain the required accuracy when drilling and aligning the top pile belt.

Regardless of the depth of the piles, approximately 10 cm of sand should be poured into the soil as a cushion.

Step-by-step DIY installation instructions

Let's consider the procedure for installing a reinforced concrete grillage located at a height of 30 cm above ground level (one of the most difficult options).

Procedure:

Preparation

The site is cleaned and leveled (if necessary). Remove all foreign objects, plants and other obstacles.

Pegs are used to mark the area. For driven piles, it consists of installing one peg on the axis of the supports; for bored piles, the lines of the outer and inner perimeter are marked. They also require preliminary drilling of wells, which is carried out based on the results of test drilling.

It determines the depth of dense layers of soil and is carried out in any case, as it makes it possible to determine the length of the trunks.

Installation of piles

Piling is driven using special machines.

It is necessary to draw up a driving plan so that the finished piles do not cut off the installation points of the next supports.

Typically, installation is carried out in a spiral or snake pattern, sequentially moving from one point to another.

For bored piles, wells are lined (immersing a pipe made of rolled up roofing felt or a piece of plastic pipe of the required diameter). Then an armored belt is assembled and lowered into the well, the dimensions of which must be selected so that it easily fits into the hole.

The length of the reinforcement must exceed the length of the well, so that it can subsequently be rigidly connected to the reinforced belt of the grillage. Then the well is filled with concrete and kept for the required time (28 days).

Construction of formwork

To build formwork, it is not necessary to wait for the concrete to harden in the wells. If driven piles are used, they usually wait about a week for the shaft to “suck” (a construction term for restoring the soil and sealing it tightly to the side walls).

The formwork is a kind of long wooden tray, the internal dimensions of which repeat the shape of the future grillage.

The assembly is made from edged boards, trying to prevent the formation of cracks and gaps.

The height of the formwork should slightly exceed the height of the grillage. To provide rigidity to the lower section, a series of supports are installed on the ground to prevent deflection of the bottom of the formwork. The inner part is covered with polyethylene, which prevents water or material from escaping from the formwork.

Creation of an armored belt

The reinforcement frame is created using conventional technology - working rods with the help of smooth auxiliary reinforcement are installed in the desired position according to the design diagram and general rules.

An important point is the rigid connection of the pile reinforcement and the reinforced belt of the tape, for which it is best to use welding. The remaining elements are connected by knitting with soft wire.

Pouring concrete

Concrete is poured after the concrete has completely hardened in the piles.

This is important, since the weight of the reinforced concrete grillage is very large and can deform uncured concrete. The pouring must be done as quickly as possible, without interruptions, in order to obtain an absolutely monolithic support with a high degree of rigidity.

The concrete is leveled and covered with burlap or polyethylene, periodically watered with water for the first 10 days.

The pouring must be done as quickly as possible, without interruptions, in order to obtain an absolutely monolithic support with a high degree of rigidity. The concrete is leveled and covered with burlap or polyethylene, and periodically watered with water for the first 10 days.

After 10 days, the formwork is removed, after which the tape is kept until it hardens completely, which occurs 28 days after pouring.

Finishing

Installation of the foundation can be combined with insulation. This will improve the insulation parameters of the building and help reduce the cost of maintaining comfortable temperature conditions.

First, the sheathing is secured between the piles. It can be made from galvanized metal profiles and wooden beams. For cladding, basement siding or profiled sheets are suitable. A layer of insulation is fixed from the inside.

Artificial stone finishing

If you build a brick wall, the cladding can be made of plaster

When studying the question of how to finish the basement, you should remember to maintain good waterproofing between the base and the building. If concrete or other heavy materials are used to construct the wall, it is necessary to add the appropriate weight to the load calculation. If necessary, increase the diameter of the pillars or reduce the pitch of their installation.

Flaws

Carrying out complex calculations that only professionals can do;
Heavy massive buildings cannot be erected;
There is no possibility of constructing a basement or basement.

But now the key factor that makes such foundations popular among developers is the use of factory-standardized building materials. After all, the main element of such a foundation is a pile. It can be metal, wood, concrete or reinforced concrete, but this is a ready-made material, and it is quite expensive. Or you can do it right at the construction site, and this does not require a lot of money and materials.

Just first you need to get a detailed project of the future development.

What soils are they suitable for?

The screw piles are driven to a sufficient depth to eliminate the impact of vertical loads of frost heaving. Only lateral influences remain, which, due to the small contact area, are not capable of exerting a decisive influence on the supports.

Therefore, when determining the suitability of a soil, it is customary to consider only mechanical qualities.

The most suitable types are the following types of soil (in descending order of suitability):

Sandy.
Sandy loam.
Loams.
Clayey.

Absolutely unsuitable soils are rocky and rocky-clastic types. In addition, biogenic types - peat bogs, or loose subsidence soils - are contraindicated.

Caution should be exercised in heavily flooded areas subject to strong seasonal fluctuations in groundwater levels. When constructing in such areas, it is necessary to carry out test drilling and increase the immersion depth to the maximum

When constructing in such areas, it is necessary to carry out test drilling and increase the immersion depth to the maximum.

Advantages and disadvantages of a pile-screw foundation

Screw piles are now quite widely used in the construction of private houses, but before choosing a house on a pile-screw foundation, it is necessary to study their positive and negative aspects. The advantages include:

strength due to the use of steel as a raw material;
durability, the service life of such a base can reach 150 years if the manufacturing and installation technology is followed;
low cost of the product itself and its installation;
simplicity and high speed of installation;
possibility of use in areas with difficult terrain, for example, on slopes;
ensuring reliable operation on poor soils, such as sedimentary rocks, marshy areas;
Possibility of reuse if necessary.

Simplicity and speed of installation are possible due to the fact that:

lack of preliminary soil development (digging trenches or pits);
there is no need for complex special equipment;

the simplicity of the technology does not require special skills and knowledge;
unlike concrete foundations, you do not need to wait 4 weeks until the structure is completely ready.

All these positive characteristics have allowed screw piles to become widespread, but we should not forget about the negative aspects. Especially if their consequences can be prevented in time.

Pile screw foundation video

Pile screw foundation disadvantages:

corrosion of metal;
limited bearing capacity;
impossibility of installation close to the walls of an existing building;
impossibility of arranging a basement in the house.

Corrosion can be avoided by treating the material with special compounds. During individual construction, there are no large loads on the foundation, so the second point does not become significant. With an impressive list of advantages and a small number of disadvantages, which are rather features of operation and are completely preventable, screw piles become an excellent support option for a private home.

Laying a columnar base for a house yourself

Any building requires a reliable and strong foundation; if your future building is light and low-rise, then constructing a columnar foundation would be an excellent option. It is not difficult to lay a pile foundation with your own hands; the technology does not require special construction skills or heavy equipment. A columnar foundation is a system of piles buried in the ground, connected to each other by reinforced concrete beams, beams or grillage.

Materials required for the manufacture of cast piles

The following are the advantages of a columnar base:

the possibility of laying the foundation below the soil freezing level;
minimal costs for building materials;
can be erected on loose soils, in permafrost areas and with shallow underground flows.

Asbestos, metal pipes with a diameter of up to 20 cm or a two-layer roofing felt sleeve can become a kind of permanent formwork for a poured pile. Roofing felt (it is rolled into a cylinder) or pipes must be cut in accordance with the depth of the future foundation. To ensure the strength of the future pile, it is necessary to make additional stiffening ribs; for this, reinforcement is used, which is placed inside the column. To make a cast pile, a rigid mortar is made from cement, sand and crushed stone. The cement must be tested at least grade M-20.

Carrying out work on laying a columnar foundation

Marking on the ground: it is necessary to use a tape measure to measure distances with particular scrupulousness and mark (make indentations in the soil) the location of future piles. Typically, such support pillars are installed at all intersections of walls - corners, under the stove and in other places with increased load, as well as under walls with an interval of 1-3 m, depending on the severity of the future structure and the flowability of the soil.

In the places marked with a garden drill, holes are made with a depth according to the design. After drilling, the wells at the base are expanded with a shovel drill. To do this, the tool is lowered into a dug hole, buried into the wall and turned. After a full 360˚ rotation, remove the cut soil. To ensure sufficient expansion, the procedure is repeated several times.

Next, the concrete mixture is poured onto the bottom of the dug hole so that the entire expansion space at the base of the pile (base) is filled. Pieces of connected reinforcement are inserted into an asbestos or roofing felt pipe and the pouring process is continued, periodically bayoneting and compacting it with a crowbar or other available means.

Formwork and reinforcing belt of cast pile

Reinforcement: it is necessary to make reinforcing frames from reinforcement in an amount corresponding to the number of piles. To do this, using a knitting wire, 5 pieces of reinforcement are tied together, as shown in the figure. Remember that the reinforcing belt must be inside the column and perform a supporting function, so the distance to the formwork must be at least 5 cm, and the frame itself must be located in the center.

To speed up the process, you can use factory-made driven piles, which are driven into the soil using special equipment, such as vibrating, vibrating and driving devices.

Filled pile design diagram

At the final stage of construction, backfilling is carried out: fine river sand is poured into the space between the formwork/pile and the burial trench. The backfill must be compacted well and watered.

Methods for attaching a columnar base to a building

Anchoring: qualified builders suggest placing dowel anchors into the pile. To do this, during pouring, anchors or pieces of reinforcement are inserted into the still uncured concrete solution, moving them to the side so that the fastening bolts are on the inside of the future building.

Support pillars with reinforcement before backfilling

Arrangement of the grillage. The grillage is usually cast into removable formwork with a laid reinforcing belt made of reinforcement with a cross-section of 12-14 mm. The process is reminiscent of arranging a strip foundation, only in this case the formwork is not installed in a trench, but is mounted on piles and represents a complete box. The pile foundation grillage can be high (≥0.3 m above ground level) and zero - lying on the ground.

Scheme of pile-grillage foundation

A pile foundation, the technology of which involves the construction of a grillage, is considered stronger and more reliable, since the grillage is a connecting element that combines the pillars into a single system and evenly transfers the weight of the building to them.

Master class on laying a columnar base with a grillage

How to pour piles under the foundation

To carry out high-quality pouring of piles under the foundation of a house, it is necessary to follow a certain procedure:

Pouring piles with concrete

Prepare the area and mark it. The construction site is leveled using a level. The places where the piles are planned to be installed are marked. It is necessary to have support at the corners of the house, at the junctions of load-bearing walls and partitions. Using a manual or mechanical drill, holes with a diameter of about 30 cm are made for pouring future piles. The depth of the holes is selected in accordance with the type of foundation and soil condition

It is important that the bottom of the hole is below the soil freezing level. Permanent formwork is installed. With a sufficient construction budget, you can use asbestos-cement or steel pipes

To save money, you can build formwork from roofing felt. To do this, the material must be rolled into a pipe of a given diameter. The prepared formwork is lowered into the hole so that it rests on the sand cushion. The shell formed in this way prevents freezing of the soil and pile during the cold season. In addition, the design prevents moisture from penetrating into the concrete. When using metal and asbestos-cement pipes, treatment with a waterproofing solution is required. The installed formwork is filled with a small amount of liquid concrete mortar and raised slightly. As a result, a cavity is formed under the pipe into which liquid concrete penetrates. After the mixture hardens, a kind of pillow is obtained at the bottom of the hole. It greatly increases the bearing capacity of the foundation. A frame made of reinforcement is installed. For its manufacture, steel rods with a cross section of 8-10 mm are used. Their number directly depends on the thickness of the pile. Most often, 3-4 rods of reinforcement are connected together with soft wire, installing transverse jumpers along the entire length of the frame. The frame is also lowered into the hole. Reinforcement of the well allows you to protect the future pile from the impact of soil from the sides, which can lead to fracture of the pile. The prepared well is filled with high-quality concrete mortar. Concrete must be compacted periodically using a special vibrator. You can use a crowbar or a piece of reinforcement for these purposes. In both cases, the mixture is compacted by removing air. It is best to fill the piles with concrete in one go, this will make the pile a solid monolith.

Features of construction technology

It was previously noted that many people choose this type of foundation due to the simplicity of the work performed. However, if you do not follow the procedure and some recommendations, significant problems may arise. All work can be divided into several stages:

Preparatory. At this stage, the land is cleared, the required amount of building material is delivered, electricity is supplied and other favorable conditions are provided for the work. The location of the future structure is also marked, for which thread and pegs and measuring instruments are used. The result of the work performed depends on how well the marking is done. Excavation. This stage involves the implementation of work on the formation of pits. It is worth considering that some projects involve creating a foundation without erecting formwork. Work is also carried out to prepare the foundation: purified river sand and gravel are laid, after which everything is well compacted. The substrate does not allow the poured concrete to go into the ground, and also contributes to a more uniform distribution of the created pressure. Installation of formwork

It is most often made from boards that are knocked together to create panels. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the structure needs to be firmly fixed, since it will be subject to high pressure from the side of the poured concrete. In some cases, insulating material is laid along the inside to obtain a more even surface, since untreated boards can form a relief on the surface of the concrete. Before pouring concrete, it is recommended to moisten the boards generously, since in this case they will absorb less concrete. Installation of fittings

There are often reinforcing elements inside a monolithic structure. They improve the strength of the structure. You can simplify the work and significantly increase the strength of the foundation by collecting metal rods in a grid, for which welding work is performed. Today on sale you can find reinforcing mesh, which is made from corrosion-resistant materials, thereby increasing the service life of the entire structure. Laying the concrete mixture. After the formwork has been prepared and the reinforcing elements are located, the concrete mixture is laid. The technology is quite simple: the mixture is poured in a layer of up to 15 centimeters, after which it is carefully compacted and poured again. It is quite important to achieve uniformity of the resulting structure. It is important not to take long breaks between pouring stages, since hardening of the layers at different times can lead to the appearance of cracks. Carrying out waterproofing work. The concrete takes approximately 1.5 weeks to harden, after which the formwork is removed. At this stage, the structure gains only 75% of the required strength for operation, but this is enough to perform insulation work.

The final stage of such work is to backfill the space that is formed between the created foundation and the walls of the trenches. Backfilling should be done carefully as gravel can damage the insulation.

In addition, attention is paid to the fact that the backfilled soil should be compacted, since it will take part of the load and protect the structure from environmental influences. It is not recommended to use fertile soils as backfill

Strapping functions

Piles are pillars embedded in the ground, which without additional strapping manipulations do not exclude the occurrence of deformations. To avoid problems with the floor of the house during operation, it is imperative to use timber to tie the screw piles. The pillars are connected to each other and a strong and reliable foundation is obtained that can withstand the planned load. The binding of the piles is called a grillage.

The screw elements of a pile foundation are hollow tubes made of high-quality steel. The ends of the pole have conical blades with which the product is screwed into the soil. There are special holes in the pile. Before construction, the walls must be framed with timber on screw piles. Then the entire foundation structure turns into a single, strong system that can withstand the load intended for the foundation.

Types of piles

By screwing the piles into the soil much easier

Pile based foundations are classified into several main types which are considered to be widely used. To have an idea about each type, you should read more:

The pile-screw type foundation is installed under the influence of screwing into the soil structure. The installation can be carried out on almost any type of soil. This pile-screw type of construction has many positive characteristics, due to which it is widely used in practice. For a complete DIY installation of a screw foundation, step-by-step instructions will be useful. The installation process of a pile-screw foundation can be performed using construction equipment or manually. The second option is the most budget-friendly, so for private country buildings you will need an extra pair of hands.
The construction of a pile-drive type foundation in private construction can be seen quite rarely, since the cost of installation is expensive. Such a basis requires the mandatory use of large construction equipment; not every owner can afford this action. But, despite its high cost, this type of foundation has many advantages, and its service life is quite long.
The pile-bored type of foundation is one of the budget options. According to experts, making such a foundation on piles with your own hands is much easier than the options listed above. Due to the fact that the installation of piles is carried out directly on the construction site, all costs of transportation and the use of large construction equipment are deducted. Based on the facts, you can make your choice of foundation for a residential building without any problems.

Price issue

Let's say we decide to build a small 8x10 wooden house. To organize a structure made of screw piles, we will need to spend money on the delivery of materials, installation, geological examinations and on the piles themselves. As a result, the foundation of screw piles will cost approximately 70,000 rubles. The most impressive cost columns will be for 16 piles (each approximately 2,250 rubles) and for their installation (approximately 38,000).

Well, if we go to build a strip foundation, then we will have to double the list of everything needed. If engineering and geological surveys for piles cost 2,500 rubles, then to calculate the strip foundation you will have to pay 55,000 rubles. Added:

Reinforcement (about 7,000). And the fittings for our house itself will cost about 40,000.
Pouring concrete (another 33,000 rubles). And of course you need the solution itself. It will cost another 50,000 rubles.
Waterproofing (you can’t live without it, so you’ll have to spend at least 12,000).
Plywood and burs (that's at least another 15,000).

The list can be continued longer. Ultimately, such a foundation will cost not just a pretty penny, but 270,000 rubles or more.

And that is not all. Can you determine the quality of concrete by eye? How to catch the moment when the reinforcement begins to be laid? Contractors almost always use cheaper materials. Therefore, such a concrete foundation will be too expensive. Piles are much easier to check. And their installation is usually carried out without problems in front of the customer.