Foundations
Foundations are one of the most important aspects of construction, when properly designed and constructed they transmit the concentrated loads of the structure the support to the soil. They allow us to construct buildings which will withstand the powerful forces of nature. Some of these forces are quite impressive. Gravity, soil swelling, frost heaving, hydrostatic pressure, etc. are just a few of the subtle hidden forces that can affect your house or building. These forces are powerful and should not be underestimated.
Small changes in the design of a floor system can have significant impact on material costs, construction schedule, ultimate strength, operating costs, occupancy levels and end use of a building. Global Village construction can designing and implementing the most efficient floor system, key to creating optimal building structures.Larry Greenwood - GVC
Footings
Footings are the structural members which transmit the concentrated loads of the structure to the soil. These members come in various shapes and sizes and are generally constructed of steel-reinforced concrete. The footings are generally a minimum of two to three times wider than the width of the foundation wall. The thickness of the footer is a function of the weight of the structure above and the strength of the soil below the footer. A thicker footer (10 -12") will be stronger than a thinner (6 - 8") footer. The footer is usually installed immediately after excavation. The foundation is then constructed on top of the footer. Generally speaking, the footer is constructed independently of the foundation.