How to make a foundation with your own hands from asbestos cement pipes?
A serious task that arises when carrying out design work and construction activities is determining the type of foundation. Designers and developers are looking for a compromise solution, trying to form solid foundation for construction and save financial resources. The optimal solution is to build a foundation from asbestos pipes with your own hands. The technology has been tested in the construction of light buildings and frame buildings, requires minimal financing, and is easy to implement. The foundations of buildings on asbestos-cement pipes are resistant to moisture and are durable, which allows them to be used on soils with high groundwater levels and flooded areas.
Using asbestos cement pipes as capital foundation buildings, the estimated cost of construction can be significantly reduced. Let's take a closer look at how to make your own foundation on hollow asbestos supports. Let's evaluate the advantages and weaknesses columnar base. Let's look at the calculation method and construction technology.
The foundation is the foundation of the building; the life of the house will depend on its strength and reliability
DIY asbestos pipe foundation - features
The foundation on hollow supports made of asbestos cement is a type pile foundation, is characterized by the following features:
- pipes are used as stationary formwork, which is filled with concrete mortar;
- Hollow supports made of asbestos and Portland cement are used, mixed during production in a ratio of 15:85 with the addition of water;
- the supports have a length of 3.95 to 5 m with an outer diameter of 11.8–52.8 cm and differ in wall thickness;
- support columns are formed in rows with each support installed at the corners of the building, as well as at the joints of external and internal walls;
- installed on problematic, heaving and flood-prone soils in the presence of hard soil at a depth of up to three meters;
- allows you to ensure the stability of light frame-type buildings, bathhouses, wooden buildings, verandas, country houses;
- does not require an increased level of costs for preparing the pile base of a building compared to the construction of a strip base or block base;
- It is easy to install, which allows you to carry out the entire complex of work on building the foundation yourself.
Columnar foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes is the most affordable and economical option
Asbestos-cement pipes, which are the strength element of the pile base, are characterized by the following indicators:
- elevated strength characteristics allowing to perceive compressive forces;
- a slight degree of thermal expansion, which helps maintain dimensions during temperature changes;
- light weight, facilitating transportation and installation work;
- resistance to electrochemical corrosion, which reduces the service life of metal supports;
- ease of machining, which makes it possible to quickly prepare supports of the required dimensions under construction site conditions;
- low cost, allowing to significantly reduce the total level of costs for the formation of a pile base.
Columnar foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes - pros and cons
A pile foundation made of tubular columns filled with concrete has the following advantages:
- An increased level of strength, which ensures the stability of lightweight buildings on soils prone to heaving and flooding.
If you decide to make a columnar foundation from pipes with your own hands, then you need to know that it is used for the construction of light frame and wooden buildings
- Resistant to negative temperatures, ensuring the immobility of the building being erected.
- Resistant to the influence of aggressive environments, under the influence of which asbestos-cement material does not collapse.
- The rigidity of the elements of tubular formwork, which is not subject to deformation during concreting, unlike a roofing felt shell.
- The solidity of asbestos formwork, which together with the poured concrete solution represents a single structure.
- Speed of construction due to the simplicity of the design, the ability to carry out the work independently.
- Low level of costs associated with the use of inexpensive and accessible materials.
- The ability to independently perform columnar basis calculations without using the services of hired specialists.
- Long operational period, amounting to more than three decades on difficult soils and mountainous terrain.
- the impossibility of arranging a basement under a building installed on pile supports;
- insufficient thermal insulation and wind protection of the lower part of the building, mounted on concrete piles.
A pipe foundation, along with its advantages, has weaknesses:
In order to build a reliable and durable base structure on asbestos-cement pipes, it is necessary to determine required amount pillars and the depth of their laying
Despite minor disadvantages, a columnar foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes is indispensable in areas with a soil freezing depth of more than one and a half meters, mountainous areas and flooded areas with heaving soils.
Calculation of dimensions and requirements for materials for the foundation
A simple calculation method allows you to independently determine the characteristics of a pile foundation without contacting specialists from design organizations. The foundation from asbestos-cement pipes is calculated and designed after performing an engineering-geological survey of the site. A control pit is drilled at the construction site and soil samples are taken. The following points are determined:
- Soil features.
- Freezing level.
- Location of aquifers.
Knowing the mass of the structure, using the information obtained, you can perform a calculation and determine the following parameters:
- height of pile supports;
- number of asbestos cement columns;
- the total area of the supporting elements of the base.
Before starting construction, it is necessary to conduct a study of the soil composition, determine at what depth the groundwater lies, and determine the depth of soil freezing
A foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes is an excellent alternative to a monolithic slab or strip foundation concrete foundation when constructing relatively light structures. When building it, you can save a significant amount of money. This type of foundation is practically indispensable when constructing lungs. frame houses or outbuildings.
The only disadvantage of this type of foundation is that it is problematic to build habitable basement or basement spaces inside it. However, if the design of your building does not provide for a basement or plinth, then instead of a rather expensive monolithic strip foundation you may well limit yourself to a drilled foundation constructed using asbestos-cement pipes.
All work on the construction of a bored foundation from asbestos-cement pipes on personal plot It’s entirely possible to do it yourself. This construction is accessible even to people with minimal technological skills.
Difference bored foundation from strip or slab is that the supports for buildings are not mounted under the entire base of the building or under its perimeter and load-bearing walls - but only at nodal points. Such points are the corners of the structure and the junction of internal load-bearing walls with external ones.
The construction of a strip foundation involves its deepening into the ground below the level of winter freezing of the soil. As a result, in the middle zone it is necessary to use a large mass of concrete, which negatively affects the project budget. However, relatively lightweight buildings can also withstand concrete support pillars, which can be placed deep enough in the ground.
The foundation in the form of pillar supports can be constructed in two main ways.
The first method is to use ready-made piles. However, in private housing construction this is of little use, since it requires the use of specialized equipment.
The second method is to make supports directly in the ground. In this case, the concrete solution is poured into the formwork created in a hole in the ground. Can be used as formwork various designs, such as traditional wooden shields.
Formwork for piles - photo
Asbestos-cement pipes are very popular as formwork for creating bored piles. They are relatively lightweight, have excellent waterproofing and are quite durable, so they are ideal for the role of permanent formwork. Currently, the industry produces asbestos-cement pipes of various diameters, which will allow you to accurately select the pipe sizes required for the construction of your particular structure.
Please note that the diameter of asbestos-cement pipes is selected based on the weight of the future structure. By the way, you can calculate the weight based on the data in the table.
Besides, bored piles using asbestos-cement pipes can be used when constructing a foundation on uneven areas, for example on slopes. It is possible to build this type of foundation on soil with very high humidity, almost in swamps. The production of such a foundation does not require the use of construction equipment and can be carried out even by one person for a long time, sequentially from support to support.
However, it is worth noting that before building such a foundation, it is necessary to make a thorough calculation of the structure. To do this, it is necessary to calculate the planned total weight of the structure, including the weight building materials, room loads and possible loads from changing climatic conditions. After this, the maximum load on the concrete pillars is calculated. With a lot of weight building structure it is necessary to either increase the number of concrete supports or move on to designing a strip concrete base.
The process of building a foundation from asbestos-cement pipes
- At the preparatory stage, we need to create a foundation project and make all the necessary calculations. When calculating the required number of supports, keep in mind that the maximum distance between pillars should not exceed 2.5 meters.
- Then prepare the construction site and clear it of debris. It makes sense to remove the fertile layer of soil and move it to another part of your site.
- We are marking the future foundation. We carefully check the correctness of the corner markings. To do this, we stretch the marking cord not only along the sides of the foundation, but also along its diagonals, achieving the creation of an ideal rectangle.
- We drill wells for supports. To do this, you can use either a regular garden drill or a TISE tool. When working on difficult soils, it makes sense to use the services of a drilling rig. The depth of drilling wells should go beyond the level of soil freezing.
- At the bottom of the drilled well there is a sand cushion about 20 centimeters thick. It is spilled with water and compacted thoroughly.
- On special weak soils it is possible to create a concrete support at the bottom of the well, wider in diameter than an asbestos-cement pipe.
- A layer of polyethylene can be laid at the bottom of the well to prevent moisture from the concrete solution from escaping into the ground.
- We lower the asbestos-cement pipe into the well, use spacers to fix it in a vertical position, and check it with a building level.
- On the ground, we assemble the internal metal frame of the support from reinforcing rods. It should have both horizontal and vertical power belts. We lower the assembled frame into the pipe. If you are planning to build a horizontal piping - grillage, then the reinforcing rods from the pipe are brought out to connect them with the grillage reinforcement.
- Pour concrete solution into the pipe. After pouring a portion that raises the concrete layer by 20-30 centimeters, it must be bayoneted or treated with a vibrating drill.
- The space between the pipe and the walls of the well is filled with sand and compacted. During construction on heaving soils the sand cushion between the well and the pipe must be at least 10 centimeters.
- The upper part of the pipe is cut using a laser level, then the head and waterproofing are installed, or the construction of a horizontal grillage begins.
Foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes - photo
conclusions
Thus, it is possible to create a fairly strong foundation for relatively light buildings, but no more than one floor high. Also, such a foundation will be an ideal solution for the construction of commercial or domestic buildings.
In contact with
After the decision has been made to start construction work you'll have to think about laying the foundation. Right choice The type of future foundation plays a big role, because it determines how reliable and strong the future house will be. This choice depends on what features the house design has and what materials and financial capabilities the one who builds this house has. Columnar foundations made of asbestos pipes are quite often used in the construction of foundations for a private house, bathhouse, or various types of outbuildings (Fig. 1).
Rice. 1. Scheme of a buried columnar foundation.
Foundation design features
Many of those who build a house with their own hands use it because this type of structure is relatively easy to install. This is due to its financial accessibility and high reliability. The main material of such a foundation is made up of special asbestos pipes. Their use will allow you to do construction on your own, without involving heavy equipment or hired workers.
The longest and most expensive stage of construction is considered to be the installation of the foundation. This process is especially difficult and expensive on difficult soil, where any structure needs especially reliable support. This stage can be simplified and made cheaper by installing supports made of asbestos pipes. When used correctly, this inexpensive material can, saving the time and effort of the builder, withstand groundwater, precipitation and ground movement, preserving the geometry of the house or outbuilding.
Asbestos or asbestos-cement pipes are a building material with a long history. They are made from Portland cement and asbestos fibers. The familiar to everyone is made from the same materials roofing material– slate. Asbestos fibers form the frame of the product, giving it strength that pure cement lacks.
The combination of these materials makes asbestos cement products durable, water-, heat- and fire-resistant, chemically inert and corrosion-resistant.
Asbestos-cement pipes are produced in two modifications:
- pressure, intended for installation of drainage systems, technical water supply, equipment of wells, protection of wells from soil shedding;
- non-pressure, used for installation of smoke removal systems.
Note! To construct a columnar foundation, only pressure pipes are used, since non-pressure pipes will not withstand the internal pressure from the cement mortar poured into them and external soil pressure.
What is special about a foundation made of asbestos pipes?
A columnar or pile-type foundation is built from asbestos-cement pipes, making kind of legs for the future structure - pillars, or piles, going deep into the soil.
A feature of such a foundation is the installation of piles under key points of the structure: corners, areas where walls intersect.
A distinctive feature of a piled asbestos-cement foundation is the filling of hollow asbestos pipes with cement mortar with additional reinforcement. As a result, the support pillars are strong and resistant to soil pressure and capable of supporting the weight of the erected structure.
This structure of the supporting structure is relevant in cases where it is impossible or impractical to construct a slab or strip type foundation:
- When constructing outbuildings, country houses and frame houses that do not have a cellar or bathhouse. Light buildings for various purposes do not need to be equipped with a support tape around the perimeter, especially since it is inappropriate to pour a monolithic slab under them.
- On difficult ground or in cold regions where excavation work requires significant costs. On unstable soil prone to crumbling, digging a trench and installing a foundation is impossible without formwork equipment. In cold regions, where the ground does not thaw even in summer, as well as on rocky soil, the risk of collapse is lower, but the work itself is much more difficult.
- At high level groundwater or when the structure is located near bodies of water prone to spills. In wet soil, strip and monolithic foundations will be in constant contact with water, gradually collapsing and subsiding into cavities washed out by underground flows.
Just as a theater begins with a hanger, so any building begins with a foundation. The service life of the structure depends on its strength and reliability. When building a grandiose cottage, one cannot do without a heavy strip foundation, which requires large investments and labor. If you become the happy owner summer cottage on soils that periodically flood and freeze, then the best solution when building a country house would be a foundation made of asbestos pipes with your own hands. This foundation option is ideal for small buildings; moreover, it is low-budget and can be easily constructed on your own, without the involvement of builders.
This is what it looks like country house on a foundation made of asbestos pipes
This is a variety pile foundation, for the creation of which asbestos pipes are used, which are driven into the ground at a certain distance and serve as a reliable support for construction. Concrete is poured inside each pipe and a reinforcement cage is installed. When the concrete in structures hardens, the lower part of the frame of the future building is formed on top, most often this is a frame made of timber. When constructing a columnar foundation, you can use wooden piles and metal pipes, but it is much more expensive and not entirely rational. Metal corrodes quickly, and wood rots over time, especially in a humid environment. Therefore, asbestos foundation pipes are a cost-effective option, easy to install and durable to use. But there are other advantages of these pipes.
Advantages of asbestos pipes:
- resistant to aggressive environment, to rotting and corrosion, which is why foundations made from them are recommended for building houses in flood zones and on heaving soils;
- easy to process: you can cut and saw with ordinary tools without the involvement of specialists;
- the presence of a low coefficient of thermal expansion: when temperature changes, asbestos pipes do not change linear dimensions;
- When pouring concrete, the formwork is not deformed, creating a solid structure with high rigidity and a smooth outer surface.
This is roughly what a foundation made of asbestos pipes will look like in section.
DIY columnar foundation
Before starting construction on a site, you need to carefully study the features of a columnar foundation made of asbestos pipes. The expression “cheap and cheerful” does not mean it is correct; we must not forget about rationality and expediency. We write down and remember some features that cannot be avoided during construction.
- A foundation made of asbestos pipes is suitable only for light structures: wooden gazebos, verandas, frame houses, bathhouses, small country houses.
- When constructing, it is necessary to take into account the type of soil, freezing depth and groundwater level, and the weight of the building.
- The depth of the pipes will depend on the type of structure.
- It would be appropriate to use asbestos pipes as a foundation on slopes and uneven areas.
- Laying such a foundation can be done even in winter with slight frosts.
- Buildings on an asbestos foundation retain heat well, since contact with the ground surface is minimal. Dryness and comfort are guaranteed.
- Anyone can calculate the foundation and build it; it is not necessary to turn to specialists.
- It is better to use non-pressure asbestos pipes with a diameter of 150-250 mm for the foundation. The calculation is as follows: for lightweight structures such as a veranda or gazebo, you can use pipes up to 200 mm in diameter, but if the structure is more complex and heavy, then a pipe of at least 250 mm in diameter is used.
Asbestos pipes for the foundation are suitable for light buildings: gazebos, small country houses, verandas.
Necessary calculations
Correct planning of the future foundation is the key to successful construction. First you need to determine how many piles are needed and to what depth to bury them.
The number of pillars will depend on the type of building. They are evenly distributed at the corners of the building, along the perimeter, in the center at the intersection of internal and external walls. Usually they are installed every two meters in length and width.
The depth will directly depend on the type of soil and the weight of the building. You will have to study the features of the site where construction is planned, the occurrence of groundwater, and the degree of soil freezing. Typically, the height of asbestos pipes above ground level is 30-50 cm. But it can be increased if there is a threat of floods or flooding.
The number of piles and their depth will depend on the type of structure and its size.
Preparatory work
They begin with clearing the territory. Before marking, debris is removed, bushes and trees are uprooted, and a 20-centimeter layer of soil is removed. The boundaries of the expanded area are outlined; to do this, it is enough to retreat 2 meters from the main foundation in all directions.
Using pegs and a cord, the places where asbestos pipes will be installed are marked. Pegs or metal rods are driven into the corners where the ropes intersect. Only then are the places marked where the intermediate pillars will be placed. Alignment is also carried out diagonally to avoid skewing of the building in the future.
All uneven areas in the area are covered with sand or gravel. Now it’s time to start the main task - building the foundation itself from asbestos-cement pipes with your own hands.
The procedure for constructing the foundation
- Drilling
To install asbestos-cement pipes, you need to dig pits. For this, a garden drill or drill hole is used, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter (10-15 cm) of the pipe itself. If possible, automated technology is used. The depth of the wells is always indicated in the project, but usually it is 20 cm more than the underground part of the pile. This is done to create a special sand cushion.
- sand cushion
20-30 cm of sand is poured into the bottom of the well and compacted well. There is an option when the sand cushion is filled with water, wait until it is absorbed, and then roofing material is laid on the bottom, and pipes are installed on top. Some craftsmen also use this method: they make the bottom of the well wider, and attach a garbage bag to the pipe with tape. They lower the pipe into the hole, pour concrete, it falls through the pipe into a garbage bag, the pipe is raised up 10-15 cm, this creates a widening (“heel”), thanks to which it turns out not a sandy, but a bud pillow. This design is necessary if the groundwater level is high.
This is what an asbestos pipe with an expansion from a package looks like.
- Pipe installation
Pipes are installed in the finished wells, aligned and secured with wooden temporary spacers, if necessary, waterproof the pipes with mastic and wait for it to dry. Then the space around the pipe is covered with sand and compacted tightly.
Do-it-yourself pipe installation saves money.
- Reinforcement
To increase the strength and reliability of a foundation made of asbestos pipes, reinforcement must be used. To do this, 3-4 vertical reinforcement rods are installed in each pipe before pouring the concrete solution. They should protrude 20-30 cm from the pipe so that in the future it will be possible to connect the foundation with a wooden beam or beam.
Asbestos pipe formwork becomes stronger if it is reinforced.
- Pouring concrete
A solution for pouring is prepared: cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 2 are mixed, diluted with water until the batter becomes thick, 2 parts of fine crushed stone are added. Everything is mixed well and poured into the pipe in parts, constantly bayoneted with an ordinary metal rod to avoid the formation of air cavities. Often, to create a concrete base at the bottom of a pipe, they do this: pour cement into a third of the pipe, pull the pipe out 15 cm and wait until the solution hardens. Then fill the pipe completely. You can use ready-made concrete by ordering it from a concrete concrete plant.
It is important that the top of all the pillars is in the same plane, because the timber frame will be installed on it. It is secured using a M16-400 stud, which is mounted into fresh concrete.
TO asbestos foundation The timber frame is easily attached, which will become the basis of the future building.
Now the foundation of asbestos pipes is ready, all that remains is to cover the pillars with film so that the concrete “matures”. It gains strength after 28 days. To extend the service life of asbestos pipes, you need to waterproof them with bitumen or other polymer materials. It will be possible to begin further construction of the house in about 15 days, because the formwork made from asbestos pipes is quite durable.
A simple and economical option for a foundation made of asbestos pipes will allow you to build a cozy, warm and comfortable building on an area where sandy soil predominates, where there is a threat of frequent flooding by groundwater. Good luck with your construction decisions!
Video: how to cut an asbestos pipe