Types of Concrete Foundations in Oklahoma City, OK
There are various types of concrete foundations. Poured concrete foundations are the most common and sufficient to serve as a foundation. The other types of concrete foundations include post-and-pier foundations and T-shaped foundations. Learn about each of them and how they differ from each other. Below, you’ll find an explanation of their benefits. Listed below are the differences between each type. Each one offers unique advantages and disadvantages.
Post-and-pier
To build a house on a concrete foundation, you must know how to construct post-and-pier structures. This foundation involves placing concrete piers into the soil and then strengthening them with a steel beam. Unlike slab foundations, post-and-pier designs include a crawlspace underneath the home. A crawlspace allows you to access the underside of your house quickly.
A post-and-pier foundation uses special brackets to hold metal pipes. The metal pipes are driven down the frame at varying angles. The pins help spread the weight from above over a broad area of the ground, and they also transfer the downward compressive force into a combination of bending and compressive forces. This type of foundation also promotes air circulation under the house and lifts it above the ground, making it out of the reach of insects and rodents.
A post-and-pier foundation is also known as a pier-and-beam foundation. In this type of foundation, concrete piers rise above the ground. In some cases, wooden posts are mechanically attached to the dock, and both the seats and the piers can support a home. You need at least eight ports, plus one in the center, for an on-grade foundation that uses concrete blocks. To dig the posts, you need a posthole auger to drill the holes 10 to 12 inches deep.
T-shaped
T-shaped concrete foundations are used in regions where the ground freezes. These foundations are constructed below the frost line and are followed by the construction of walls. In places where the ground does not freeze, they are referred to as “slab on grade.”
The T-shaped concrete foundation is a common type of foundation. It is designed to extend below the ground’s freezing point and resist frost damage. It comprises a footing extending deep below the frost line, followed by a concrete wall thinner than the footing. The result is a foundation that resembles an upside-down letter T. Because this type of foundation is more sturdy, it is often the preferred choice of home builders in colder areas.
There are several types of concrete foundations. Concrete slabs are four to six inches thick, while monolithic slab foundations are twelve to 18 inches thick. Both types of foundations require site preparation and reinforcement. The soil underneath the slab should be well-drained and free of organic matter. The code enforcement determines the types of support used but typically includes #4 rebar, which consists of two bendable metal bars. The rebar is tied to the concrete foundation in trenches.