Pre-Cast
Foundation Systems Many alternatives to poured slab basement foundations are available today. Pre-cast foundations can be installed in almost any weather condition--a great benefit for Frost Belt building. |
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In Season Five of "Bob Vila's Home Again," Bob explored the concept of "sustainable design", putting resource management theories into practice for everyday living. The popular "Cabin in the Woods" project showcased a unique array of innovative building textiles and technology which over the course of the project contributed to a savings of both time and money. One product that continues to generate interest is the state-of-the-art precast wall and foundation system developed by Superior Walls of America. The Superior Walls System consists of pre-cast, studded concrete walls. The ready-to-finish wall panels feature built-in plumbing and electrical access holes. SWA crews can install an average system in about five hours, in almost any kind of weather. |
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Foundations
can often be installed in under five hours using a pre-cast concrete system. |
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Pre-insulated with DOW Styrofoam and sealed with Bostik Chem-Caulk, Superior Walls are manufactured to National Standards and recognized Building Codes with 5,000 psi concrete. This eliminates the need for additional waterproofing or tarring. In the words of SWA literature, "Ten times stronger than a block foundation, the Superior Walls System is guaranteed to prevent water infiltration and moisture build-up. Because of its innovative design, Superior Walls keep homes warmer and drier than conventional foundations while adding valuable living space and increasing resale values." |
The bond beams and concrete facing are cast in one continuous pour. They connect to the studs by encapsulating vertical rebars and galvanized hooks and pins which protrude from the top, bottom and back of each stud. |
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Pressure-treated
furring strips are preattached to the inner face of each stud to provide
a base to accommodate a variety of wall finishes. In addition 1-inch diameter
holes are cast into each stud allowing for the installation of wiring
and plumbing. |
A wall section befor installation. | ||
The top bond
beam is perforated with pre-formed 1/2-inch holes approximately every
24 inches to allow the bolting on of pressure-treated sill plates. The
system is delivered to the jobsite with a built-in footer and is installed
on crushed stone sub-footer. Superior Walls are completely custom made and manufactured to accommodate door and window openings. Panels are normally formed in lengths up to 16' and standard heights of 4-foot, 4-foot 8 inches, 8-foot 2-inches, 9-foot and 10-foot, and can be cast to virtually any shape for unlimited design flexibility. Installation Basics |
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A crane is used to lift the pre-cast foundations into place. | Site Preparation
& Installation Process 1. A 35x35-foot level area clear of overhead obstructions must be provided for the crane. 2. The basement must have an overdig of 24-inches at the bottom of the excavation. 3. The drainage system must be in place and functional. 5. Crushed stone must cover the entire floor area and be level to within one inch. |
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6. The builder must provide bracing materials for the wall system. Various lengths of 2x4s are preferred. 7. The site must be accessible for the delivery truck and crane. Check for mud, sharp turns, hills, bumps, trees, and overhead wires. |
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Cold-Weather
Guidelines 1.Mix calcium with the stone all the way down to the virgin soil in an area of at least 30 inches wide around the footing. 2.Cover the area with plastic sheeting or other waterproof and nonporous material, extending two feet on each side of the center of the footing. Place stones or other heavy material along the edges to prevent air from getting under the plastic blanket. 3.Scatter at least 6 inches of loose straw over the blanket-- more in severe freezing conditions. These wintertime steps will keep the footing base stable and prevent weather-related delays. After the walls are placed, reapply the straw until backfilling is completed. Radon Ventilation The cast concrete panels offer a very low permeability rate which is even further enhanced by the factory-installed DOW Styrofoam insulation. The crushed stone foundation allows for the free flow of air from all points of the excavation into the exhaust system beneath the floor. |
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Copyright Sudprasert Engineering (C)2002
10 February, 2003