Building Homes or Extensions/footings and foundations

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Expert: - 1/31/2009


Question

gade beam
i am building an unattached garage and in the plans it shows a continuous footing and a gradebeam footing there are stem walls and the slab is on grade can i pour this monolithically or do i pour the footings and the grade beams then form the stem walls and pour them separately and then the slab separately or can the stakes for the forms penetrate the footing?..... as well the #3 rebar ties in the gradebeam reach up into the slab you can see the image of the detail on the plan is attached


Answer
Hi john, that is a goofy drawing.  It's hard to say just what is going on there.  It looks like there is a footing pad with a gradebeam spanning from pad to pad but the detail is not right.  The top of the footing pad is usually the bottom of the grade beam. I don't like the design as shown, you would need to pour the pads first and then the gradebeam/slab monolithically.  Personally I would pour a continuous footing first and then pour my monolithic slab including the thickened edge in a secondary pour.    If you have layout view of the slab showing the footing pad locations you can send I can make a better decision on the matter.  Sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

Bruce E. Johnson

Expertise

I can answer any construction related question in regards to carpentry, concrete, drywall, masonry, structural elements of any type of building, residential or commercial. Interior or exterior.

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Custom Commercial and residential buildings. Churches, theaters, schools and auditoriums. Most recently I am working with the Catholic Church on several design build committees. I have a website related to scheduling and project supervision. Although my expertise is more related to multimillion dollar commercial, educational and theatrical projects my generous credentials in residential and remodelling construction make me a viable source of information regarding all forms of building questions.

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