Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: footings

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Foundations and Basements
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 22 May 2001
Time: 10:18 PM

Comments

Sorry about any confusion. I re-read the threads and my replies were in fact referring to the intent of your original question and follow-on questions. That is, we would recommend a monolithic pour unless your geo-technical engineer who is familiar with your actual site conditions recommends something different. We see no reason to isolate the slab from the footings with PVC or building paper, particularly if your soils are not expansive. Since you are planning to use tie-downs, these must go through the slab into the footing, including possible use on interior shear wall partitions. As to the potential for the slab cracking, your proposed use of Fibermesh will help mitigate localized cracking while rebar will provide primary slab reinforcement. Large slabs should be designed with periodic control joints anyway to direct cracks into a predefined, inconspicuous area, all according to building codes. Monolithic pours are stronger and provide an integral, unified foundation and provide a good way to tie the slab into the footings with rebar.

The other method the PCA proposes would likely work. We just don't see the benefit of it in your case but we do see potential drawbacks based on your particular proposal to include tie-downs into the footings.

Hopefully this clears up any confusion that may have been introduced during a lengthy thread of messages! If you require further discussion on this topic, please email us at info@builderswebsource.com. We're happy to continue this discussion until we're both clear on the best path.

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