Reinforcement spacing in a strip foundation. How to properly reinforce a strip foundation with your own hands, making a reinforcement cage. Scheme for reinforcing the corners of a strip foundation, drawing.

Foundation reinforcement is a very important part of building the foundation of a house. Reinforcement creates strength for foundations of various designs, made from a variety of materials.

This primarily applies to strip foundations, in which a large mass of concrete presses on the soil. The design of a foundation with reinforcement is a classic example of how simply and effectively the properties of a building structure can be improved if you use theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Why is concrete reinforced?

Reinforcement began to be used quite a long time ago - since the 18th century. First, concrete structures were reinforced by placing metal on top of concrete, and then a method of strengthening the reinforcement by internal laying was invented. Why is concrete reinforced? Concrete is a very strong material in compression, but very brittle when stretched. The tensile strength index is 10-30 less than the compressive strength. Reinforcing steel, and now various composite reinforcing materials, make it possible to build structures of foundations and walls that compensate for the shortcomings of one or another material.

Thus, a reinforced strip foundation can withstand:

from below – tensile pressure;
the upper part of the foundation resists the great pressure of the walls and roof from above;
From the sides and below the foundation is affected by the force of frost heaving of the soil, the pushing force of which can exceed the weight of the house.

How is the reinforcement installed?

The reinforcing mesh is laid longitudinally and transversely in the concrete formwork. Longitudinal reinforcement takes on the heaviest loads, and therefore it is placed below and above the foundation being poured. If the foundation height is not lower than 15 centimeters, then transverse reinforcement bars are also installed. Usually. in case of choosing a metal reinforcing product, use steel rods with a diameter of 5 to 8 mm.

During the construction of the reinforcing mesh, it is fastened together, creating a single reinforcing frame structure. Tying the reinforcement into one frame eliminates the possibility of improper redistribution of loads. Thus, the reinforcing frame creates powerful resistance to the weight of the house, as well as to the forces that lift the foundation or try to test it in tension. The distance between the longitudinal reinforcement bars is fixed at 400-500 mm. The pitch of reinforcement that is installed transversely should not exceed 300 mm.

The step width and reinforcement density must be calculated taking into account:

the reinforced concrete structure element used;
element dimensions in width and height;
a calculated value that ensures the effective involvement of concrete and reinforcement in maintaining the rigidity of the structure;
in longitudinal reinforcement, the distance between the rods should not exceed twice the sectional height of the concrete element.

Strip foundation: subtleties of reinforcement

A monolithic strip foundation is reinforced not only along the walls of the structure. A reinforcing mesh is placed at the base of the foundation on a sand cushion, and then formwork, stones, gravel, broken bricks are placed, and then the whole mixture is poured with concrete.

A reinforced monolithic foundation is very resistant to soil heaving. If such a reinforced foundation is laid below the freezing point, then you can expect the construction of a strong and durable foundation. If the foundation walls are higher than 50 centimeters, then they will experience a powerful one-sided lateral load of the soil and therefore such foundations must be constructed with reinforcement.

When a strip foundation contains a full frame of reinforcement, the reinforcement cannot be directly attached to open ground and formwork elements. This can cause rust, which is unsafe for steel reinforcement structures, which can therefore rot and crumble. The safe layer to protect the frame should be at least 45-75 centimeters.

Foundation reinforcement angles are a special concern for builders. It is the corner structures that experience increased stress. To create angular bends, it is necessary to bend wire corners at the site where the frame is created. If reinforcement is carried out by simply grasping straight reinforcing steel bars with wire, then the strength of the structure will be orders of magnitude lower, and it will not be able to become a monolithic frame. In fact, in this case, it is possible to obtain, considering the situation from an engineering point of view, several individual beams, and not a common monolithic reinforced mass. This sharply reduces the possibility of resistance of the foundation structure not only to compression, but also to the most dangerous stress for concrete structures - tension, lateral forces.

If reinforcement is carried out for an obtuse angle of the foundation, then the structure of the reinforcement frame is strengthened by additional adhesion to the external reinforcing structure, as well as by installing clamps in the transverse fabrication.

Reinforcement calculation

Before you start reinforcing, it is important to calculate the amount of materials needed for it. To do this, you need to determine the required cross-section of the rods used for reinforcement.

If you are building an outbuilding to store equipment or accommodate a small workshop, then reinforcement with a cross-section of up to 10-12 millimeters is quite suitable. If a strip concrete foundation is to be reinforced, then a larger cross-section of reinforcement is required - from 15-20 millimeters. In addition, the reinforcement should preferably have periodic surface profiling. This creates additional strength of the reinforcing frame. Rods for additional reinforcement, including for vertical installation, can be thinner - from 10 millimeters in cross-section. If a lower longitudinal row is installed, then the distance to the upper row is usually at least 30 centimeters.

To simplify the calculations, they suggest starting from this indicator: if the length of one part of a reinforced concrete element is 3 meters or a little more, then the smallest diameter of the reinforcing bar should be 12 mm. If we take into account all the loads and distribute them evenly over the element, then it is necessary to make two reinforcement belts with a rod with a cross-section of 12 mm. What will be the diameters of the transverse reinforcement? If the reinforcement frame is no more than 80 centimeters, then the minimum cross-section of the reinforcement is 8 mm.

All these estimates are indicative only. As we have already said, they can be used to estimate the work required, and not for a specific house, since there are many features of the house design that need to be taken into account. First of all, the features of the walls, the weight of the roof, internal sections, and type of floors.

Reinforcement technology

When reinforcing, it is important to remember one important construction rule - concrete, mortar for pouring a monolithic body strip foundation, covers the reinforcement cage on all sides by at least 50 millimeters. That is, if the cross-section of the foundation is 400 by 400 millimeters, then the cross-section of the frame will be 300 by 300 millimeters.

The assembly of the frame is carried out after preparing the required rod with the required cross-section and surface:

the step in the reinforcement strip foundation usually does not exceed 30-50 centimeters;
steel stiffeners are placed on reinforcing bars;
reinforcement is fixed at the corners of each of the ribs;
fastening is carried out with twists or special fixing one-piece elements, including installation of the frame by welding;
the cross-section of the frame must be quadrangular;

after installing the frame, it is placed in place for laying the foundation;
when laying, a distance of 50 mm from the bottom and walls of the trench is maintained;
Broken brick, stone or concrete fragments are poured under every fourth rib to prevent bending.

Strengthening frame joints

In order to connect frame elements, several methods are used.

an overlap connection involves connecting reinforcement along outlets with a length of at least 50 centimeters;

using the lining method, the reinforcement is connected using scraps of reinforcement, bent and U-shaped clamps with a length of connection to the reinforcing bars of 50 cm on each side.

The reinforcing belt can be fastened

directly;
in an angular way;
T-shape.

In order to connect the reinforcement, a strong knitting wire is used, which has a cross-sectional diameter of at least one millimeter. The metal ribs of the reinforcement frame are fixed on top of the twisted wires, put on the frame before connecting the reinforcement. If the reinforcement is connected with an overlap, the dimensions of the ribs are slightly increased.

If welding is used in the connection, the joints may experience strength problems due to intense heat and giving them the properties of a brittle hardened iron surface. This in turn can lead to destruction of the reinforcement. Therefore, welding fastening is not recommended for significant loads on the foundation structure.

Metal and concrete in one harness

Reinforcing the foundation, creating a frame from metal or a composite rod, allows you to create a strong and durable connection between concrete and metal or composite. Such connections can withstand enormous loads, last for more than 100 years and can create a strong foundation for any type of home.

In the construction of a reinforced foundation, it is important to know the properties of materials and carry out the correct calculations and apply consistent technology for laying the frame. Without using all these professional knowledge, foundation reinforcement will be ineffective and will not be able to ensure the strength of the entire building structure. Foundation reinforcement has made it possible for several centuries in construction to use all the best properties of the two most common building materials - concrete and metal.

The specifics of individual construction are determined by the influence of a huge number of factors, from the availability of roads and electricity to a pond or hill in the neighborhood. All these factors influence the choice of foundation and the method of its installation. What formwork should be used, what concrete mixtures to use, how to reinforce the foundation - these are the first questions at the start of building a reliable and durable house.

Reinforcement is an essential element of a reliable foundation Source newspasky.ru

To avoid problems

When laying the foundation of a private house, it is difficult to foresee what loads it will be subjected to in the future. Perhaps the owner will need to install a massive lathe or build a dance hall in the house, a water supply will break, or a powerful structure will be erected in the neighborhood, causing a rise in groundwater or a new underground flow. The loads will change, the foundation, not designed for dramatic changes in loads, will burst and sag, followed by the collapse of the building.

If the developer considers the installation of a strip foundation to be the most appropriate option, then reinforcement is necessary to guarantee its reliability. And you should know at least approximately how the foundation should be reinforced, the calculation of reinforcement, laying and tying should be done, even if other people will build your house.

Source ar.aviarydecor.com

Calculation with reserve

Foundation reinforcement is the installation of a metal frame in its mass, designed to create a single, indestructible structure from concrete.

Making an accurate engineering calculation of the foundation of a small individual building is difficult and expensive; it requires geological surveys, comparisons with promising development projects for the area as a whole, soil and groundwater characteristics, and solving a long list of issues.

Based on this, private developers are guided by two basic rules for constructing foundations:

The base of the foundation should lie below the soil freezing depth according to the maximum indicators of the development region.

Reinforcement of the strip foundation is mandatory and is carried out in accordance with general recommendations standards with a margin of safety.

Basic rules for performing reinforcement Source sevparitet.ru

Arrangement of the foundation frame

The monolithic foundation is reinforced in the form of a single frame throughout its entire height. The distance between individual reinforcing bars should ensure free passage of the concrete mixture between them. In other words, if crushed stone of fraction 20-40 is used in concrete, then the gap between the frame rods should be at least 4 cm.

The use of rubble stone is much cheaper than conventional concrete mixture, but to create a unified structure, it is necessary to bandage the foundation along the entire perimeter. Reinforcement cage is incompatible with stone large sizes, in such cases, the technological solution is to install an armored belt from below and above the foundation.

Even the largest fractions of concrete should pass freely through the frame Source earny.ru

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer foundation design and repair services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Stages of work on arranging a reinforcement frame

The base for the foundation is made of a layer of sand of at least 10 cm, the sand is covered with a layer of crushed stone of fraction 2-5, then the sand-crushed stone base is compacted, and only then should the laying and tying of the reinforcement frame begin.

Reinforcing rods, cut along the length of the foundation strip on one side, are laid out at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other along the bottom of the foundation. At the corners they are screwed with soft knitting wire to the vertical rods, as well as to each other when overlapping.

To create the vertical corner supports of the frame, the horizontal bottom rods of the frame are bent at an angle of 90 degrees. Extended by overlapping joints and fastening with wire.

To facilitate the work on reinforcing the corners of the foundation, the installation of anchors is allowed; the work is similar to the installation of grillages or armored belts. At all corners of the foundation, 4 metal rods are driven into the ground, covered with bitumen resin on the bottom for waterproofing. They act as anchors for fastening the frame. In cross-section, the driven anchor pins should form a square with sides parallel to the foundation strip.

Anchors driven into the ground on which the frame is attached Source sjthemes.com

Vertical reinforcing rods equal to the height of the foundation are screwed or tacked to the anchors for fixation. All vertical rods are tied or welded together along the perimeter, forming a pillar structure.

In order to avoid contact between the metal and the sand-crushed stone base, brick halves are placed under it along the entire length of the rod at intervals of 1 m.

Rods are cut for transverse laying of reinforcement. Their length should be 10 cm less than the width of the monolithic tape, that is, the crossbars should be completely covered with poured concrete with a distance of 5 cm from the outer wall of the foundation.

The pitch of the foundation reinforcement with transverse rods is 50 cm along the entire length of the longitudinal reinforcement.

All reinforcement connections are twisted with binding wire.

Depending on the length of the foundation side, the distance between the vertical rods ranges from 30 to 80 cm.

Only two longitudinal rows may be enough: top and bottom.

Each horizontal row is parallel to the bottom one and similar to it.

It is quite possible to assemble the frame close to the foundation, and then simply lower it into a trench or formwork.

The frame does not have to be assembled inside a hole prepared for the foundation - installation can be done outside, and then the entire structure can be lowered down Source newspasky.ru

Of course, this method is only possible if there is a flat area for assembly, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve accurate work.

Fastening with binding wire

Two common methods of connecting reinforcement in a frame structure are welding and knitting, and knitting is considered more reliable. When filling a foundation with a concrete mixture, welded joints often cannot withstand the weight of the concrete.

The knitting wire, cut into 40-50 cm lengths, is doubled, inserted from below at the intersection of the rods, and twisted with pliers.

The version with twisting using a hook is simpler and faster: the wire is wound freely with a gap around the junction of the reinforcement, its ends are twisted by hand one or two turns, a hook is inserted into the gap between the reinforcement and the wire, and by turning it the wire is tightened.

Hooks are sold in construction stores, but it is quite enough for this purpose to bend a cleaned welding electrode.

For large volumes of fastening reinforcement with wire, there is a special knitting gun. It is very effective in places that are easily accessible, but where access is difficult, and these are usually corner joints, a simple hook is again more useful.

Using a knitting gun significantly speeds up the process of tying foundation reinforcement Source dvamolotka.ru

Plastic clamps are often used instead of wire. This significantly speeds up and facilitates the work process, but negative temperatures Such fastenings lose elasticity and strength.

How fittings work

In construction, reinforcement is usually called rods of various diameters and shapes to counteract compressive and tensile loads, internal and external. The division into types, classes and groups depends on the properties and characteristics specified for the reinforcement.

The division into groups of reinforcement depends on the characteristics:

material of manufacture;

profile shape;

method of use;

installation technique;

appointment.

In the construction of foundations, the spatial arrangement of the reinforcement is important. Longitudinally oriented reinforcement elements work to minimize the formation of cracks by redistributing the load on the surface of longitudinally oriented structures.

Transverse reinforcement connects concrete in the compression zone with longitudinal reinforcement, redistributing and reducing loads.

Why do you need reinforcement: just a concrete beam on top, and reinforced underneath Source rmnt.mirtesen.ru

When studying the markings of reinforcing steel, the designations C and K after the numerical value of the yield strength are of practical importance for a private developer

The C index indicates the possibility of welding the reinforcement; the absence of this index means that welding is undesirable due to the fragility of the joint. The designation K indicates the increased resistance of the reinforcement to corrosion.

Diagram and calculation of metal

The need for metal and estimated costs can be easily calculated if you draw a reinforcement diagram for a strip foundation with all longitudinal, transverse and vertical rods. The reinforcement is sold by weight, so when calculating, the diameter of the reinforcement should be taken into account; it is possible to complete the frame with metal of different diameters and types of corrugation.

To reinforce foundations, reinforcement of various brands and diameters is used; the most common are reinforcing bars with a diameter of 10-14 mm, smooth and ribbed. For laying transverse connections, it is permissible to use round smooth reinforcement of a smaller diameter.

The most common types of reinforcement for foundations are made of steel grades M35GS and M25GS, rod lengths up to 12 m, diameter from 10 to 40 mm.

Correct selection of reinforcement cross-section is the key to foundation strength Source armsetka16.ru

Alternative fittings

The difficulty of transporting steel reinforcement due to its length and many problems in working with metal forced developers to pay attention to alternative solutions.

One of them could well be fiberglass reinforcement.

It has many advantages, but to appreciate them, it is worth remembering the original purpose of foundation reinforcement. In essence, the reinforcement cage should protect the concrete foundation from stretching. The modulus of elasticity of metal rods is significantly lower than that of similar plastic rods. This means that the low elasticity threshold of plastic rods will lead to deformation, and therefore destruction of the foundation, much faster than a metal one. And the meaning of replacing metal with a plastic composite disappears.

The second very unpleasant drawback concerns specifically individual developers who do not have special conditions for aligning plastic reinforcement rolled into coils.

The disadvantages of modern plastic reinforcement relate only to the undesirability of using it in monolithic strip foundations. There are many areas of application where this type of reinforcement will perform better than steel reinforcement, but not in foundations.

Conclusion

Reinforcement prevents concrete from collapsing when shear or torsion stresses occur in it, therefore reinforcement is a mandatory stage in the construction of a concrete foundation. The rules for reinforcement are quite simple, but require strict adherence - in this case, your house will receive a reliable foundation.

Most buildings of various configurations now use strip foundations. A comparison of the foundation tape and other alternative options shows the many advantages of the first. Due to the design features, the entire load is distributed evenly across the belt. To strengthen the concrete, distribute internal loads, and prevent cracks, the foundation is reinforced. This process can be completed independently, but only taking into account the basic requirements and following the step-by-step instructions.

Material requirements

To obtain a reliable strip foundation, regardless of whether it goes under a house, under a bathhouse, or under some other structure, even under a column, it is necessary to select only high-quality materials that will ensure the strength and long service life of the foundation.

Concrete selection

There is no universal recipe for a concrete mixture for the foundation of any building, since its choice depends on several individual factors:

Weight of the building. For example, for a two-story prefabricated panel house you will need concrete grade M200. It is also used for the foundation for fence equipment. The same brand or M300 are suitable for houses made of logs, gas silicate or cellular blocks. And for heavier permanent structures, you should choose only concrete grade M300 and higher.

Features of the soil on the site. So, for sandstones and rocks it is quite possible to choose concrete M200–M250. For clay and loams, a higher grade is needed.

The strength of concrete and its reliability are determined not only by the grade of concrete, but also by additional additives in the composition, as well as proper treatment with a vibrator during the laying process.

Deciding on the fittings

Basically, reinforcement for foundations is made of steel. It can be either smooth, designed to give shape, or ribbed. The ribs promote the setting of concrete and reinforcement.

Recently, fiberglass reinforcement has appeared on the construction market, which experienced builders rarely recommend using to reinforce the foundation strip, even for a garage. This is due to the fact that there is a risk of buying low-quality material. Composite reinforcement does not tolerate open-air storage - ultraviolet radiation destroys it, so you can often purchase poor quality goods.

The first step in choosing reinforcement is to determine what diameter of the rod is needed. The more complex the soil on the site, the thicker the reinforcement is needed. Rods with a diameter of 10 to 12 mm are used only on stable soils that prevent heaving, and for light structures with a strip 20 cm wide or slightly more.

If you plan to install a massive structure on difficult soil with heaving, then it is better to take reinforcement with a diameter of 14 to 16 mm. When selecting a reinforcing bar for the foundation, it is necessary to take into account some criteria so that later the question does not arise about how to properly make reinforcement in the foundation:

The cross-section of the steel rod should be 0.1% of the cross-sectional area of the base itself. This requirement is regulated by SNiP.
Correlation of the diameter of the reinforcement with the length and width of the base tape.

Foundation width and depth

The dimensions of the strip base are determined in accordance with the dimensions of the house, which contain pre-created drawings. But this can mainly include only the length, since it represents an indicator of the perimeter of the house. But the width and depth are determined in each case strictly individually. You can use both shallow and deep foundations.

First of all, you should determine the type of soil, the depth of groundwater, and the weight of all house structures. As soon as these indicators become known, you can begin to clarify the dimensions of the foundation.

SPG (soil freezing depth) is a tabular value that varies for each region. For light construction, the foundation depth at the freezing line or slightly lower is quite suitable. The width of the foundation strip is 40 cm. On this basis, houses are built from gas and foam concrete, timber and even two-story brick structures.

This is a universal option that can be changed depending on design features buildings. For example, foundations with a width of 50 cm are no less common. But it is worth paying attention that this indicator cannot become less than the thickness load-bearing walls structures.

Preparatory work

In order to install and reinforce a strip foundation, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to preparation, since this is the first step towards a strong foundation.

Calculation of the quantity of materials

Before proceeding with the actual reinforcement and pouring of the base, it is necessary to calculate the amount of materials that will be used. For a strip base, as a rule, rods with a diameter of 10–12 mm are used. They will be used for longitudinal elements.

It is important to remember here that the cross-section of the steel rod should be 0.1% of the cross-sectional area of the base itself. For transverse and vertical reinforcement ties, rods with a diameter of 8 to 10 mm will be sufficient. The reinforcement pitch (the distance between the reinforcing bars in the mesh) in a strip foundation is taken to be 10–15 cm, since the tensile strength of the foundation is high. For a specific calculation of reinforcement, it is necessary to calculate:

the length of the entire foundation strip, taking into account load-bearing walls;
the total length of the longitudinal reinforcement taking into account the design. To do this, you will need to multiply the total length of the walls by the number of longitudinal rods. In this case, it is important to understand what length of rods to buy. If a connection is necessary, then 10–15% of the total value is added to the obtained value;
the number of transverse and vertical rods depending on the pitch of their location. To do this, calculate the number of reinforcement rings by dividing the total length of the foundation by the step between the rods. After this, the perimeter of one ring is calculated and the total length of the required rod is calculated. To the amount you need to add 10% for allowances and connections.

Since the reinforcement is sold by weight, you will have to calculate it too. The standard indicator of the norm of mass of one rod can be found in GOST 5781-82. We multiply it by the total length of the reinforcing bar in the foundation.

It is important to consider that correct reinforcement is only possible by fastening the reinforcement with special wire with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. In this case, it is spent on one bundle of reinforcing bars approximately 0.15 m apart. Based on these data, you can calculate the total amount of binding wire by multiplying the connections by the material costs for one binding and the number of bundles.

It is more convenient to carry out all calculations when there is a specific drawing of the future foundation.

Earthworks

As with any other foundation, for a strip foundation it is necessary to clear the place where it will be laid in advance and mark the area. It is necessary to first mark the corners of the structure, and from there, by pulling the rope on the stakes, determine the boundaries of the base, taking into account the desired dimensions. They need to be clearly marked. Already along the intended line, a trench is dug with a given width and depth. Usually a standard strip of 40–50 cm is used, but there are also structures 30 cm wide. The latter, as a rule, are used for light and seasonal buildings.

Installation of formwork

For further pouring of concrete and before making reinforcement, it is necessary to install the formwork in the trench. To begin with, pour on its bottom sand and gravel mixture and compacted thoroughly. Only after this can you assemble a mold for a monolithic strip foundation. To do this, shields are formed from suitable boards, which are installed in the trench using pegs, and they are secured with struts. In this case, all components must be connected to each other. You can read more about creating formwork here.

Installation

After preparing everything necessary and installing the formwork and calculating the reinforcement, it is tied and laid, for which there are also instructions.

How to bend and cut reinforcement

Proper reinforcement with proper bending of the reinforcement in the mesh is the key to the reliability of the future foundation. The best option is to bend the reinforcing bars in the corners and lay them overlapping each other. In this case, the overlap of one reinforcement element on another should be at least 30 cm. The bending point is always rounded. To bend reinforcement, you can use various methods, including:

Carrying out work using purchased mechanically driven bending devices. They differ in the ability to bend a particular rod diameter and in productivity. There is also hydraulically driven equipment that allows you to make complex structural elements.
Bending by installing a rod on a machine made by yourself.

Typically, reinforcement is bent according to the following algorithm:

Fastening the reinforcement on the machine between the thrust and central elements.
Move the rotary disk all the way to form the desired angle. In this case, it is worth making sure that there are no creases on the rod.

Thin types of reinforcement are sometimes bent by hand, but this is wrong, as it can cause injury to the craftsman, and the result does not always come out as desired. To bend a small amount of reinforcement, a structure of two pipes is also used, one of which is concreted into the ground, and the second is a lever. But, for example, for a round foundation, where it will be necessary to bend a large number of reinforcing bars due to its shape, this option is not suitable.

Reinforcement made of composite materials cannot be bent. It can only be cut with a grinder or a hacksaw.

Fastening methods

There are several ways to attach reinforcement bars to each other. The most common is self-knitting using wire and a crochet hook or gun. Some craftsmen weld elements of the reinforcing mesh. To better understand how the process works, it is worth considering each method separately.

Manually

Wire binding is the best option for fastening elements before reinforcing the strip foundation. To do this, you need to purchase or make your own hook from wire with a cross-section of 3–4 cm. It is convenient to use such a tool even in the most difficult to reach places. The hook works as follows: it is used to hook the wire into a loop and pull it up with force.

Then turn the hook several times to twist the two ends of the wire together until it stops. If necessary, the operation can be repeated until perfect tightening of the joint is obtained. This will result in a correct frame made of reinforcement even in difficult access conditions.

Using special equipment

The highest quality and fastest fastening can be obtained if you use an automatic knitting gun. This tool is highly expensive, so it is not purchased to form a single foundation, for example, for a fence. As a rule, experienced builders have it. The device is charged with coils of wire and is usually supplied with two batteries, so operation can be carried out uninterruptedly.

Due to the fact that the gun is not powered, it can be used to tie reinforcement units even in autonomous conditions.

The principle of its operation is as simple as possible: the master grabs the desired area for fastening and presses the trigger, the gun releases the wire and ties the reinforcement frame. In this case, a minimum amount of effort and time is spent on the process. In general, builders do not recommend using welding of components, since at the fastening points there is a high risk of metal rupture due to changes in its chemical composition.

Reinforcement methods and schemes for strip foundations

Reinforcement of strip foundations of any width, including 40 cm, is carried out in several stages, which have their own characteristics and execution algorithms.

Longitudinal reinforcement

When knitting reinforcement using this reinforcement pattern, it is best to start with the shortest section of the base in order to develop speed and acquire the skill that will allow you to cope with longer rods. Typically, the longitudinal parts of the reinforcing mesh are knitted on the ground. In this case, only straight elements are connected, the corners are installed already in the trench. The technology of work involves the following stages:

Preparing the material and laying it on a flat surface.
Arrangement of two long rods.
Tie at a distance of 20 cm from the ends of the horizontal reinforcement parts. For tying, take a piece of wire 20–30 cm long. Fold it in half, push it under the tying area and fix it by turning the hook.
Tying the remaining horizontal struts in increments of 50 cm. This step is performed until the complete upper element of the frame is ready.
Installation of reinforcement in the same way for the lower frame.

If everything is done correctly at this stage, then the work will only go faster.

Transverse reinforcement

To connect the already finished upper and lower parts, a transverse type reinforcement scheme is used. It is carried out this way:

Installing stops for two parts of the mesh and aligning them so that the distance between the reinforcement is equal to the specified height.
Tying at the ends of vertical struts.
Carrying out work according to the given algorithm for all parts of the foundation.
Place pads at the bottom of the trench with a height of at least 5 cm. The lower part of the mesh will lie on them. They are necessary for uniform laying of the mesh along the base. To do this, use ready-made plastic clamps or improvised means, for example, sawn pieces sewer pipes with pre-made grooves for installing fittings.

Corners and joints

The weak point in a strip foundation is always the corners and joints of the reinforcement, since it is in these places that loads from different walls occur. For successful redistribution of forces, it is necessary to correctly tie the reinforcement at the T-shaped joints when transitioning from the main wall to the internal one and in the corners.

To avoid cracks in the strip foundation, it is necessary to connect bent pieces of rods together with an overlap of at least 60–70 cm. If the length of the reinforcing element does not allow this, then L-shaped clamps can be used. The same rules apply for connecting reinforcement at the junction of walls. In this case, the installation step of the transverse jumpers is halved so that these elements can participate in the redistribution of the load.

Pouring concrete

After the reinforcing mesh has been completely formed, its horizontality and reliability have been checked, you can begin pouring concrete for the house equipment. To do this, use a concrete mixer or mix it yourself. But it is worth considering that concrete must be poured at once, so for large volumes it is better to rent special equipment.

After pouring, the concrete up to the base of the created strip foundation must be treated with a vibrator, which will remove unwanted air bubbles from the thickness of the mass. If these bubbles are left, they can later become the starting point for damage to the base. Concrete will gain full strength only a month after pouring. During this time, the foundation for the house must be constantly wetted and protected with a film from moisture evaporation, which is important for the formation of strength.

Reinforcement is a mandatory stage of work on the formation of a strip foundation. Only with full adherence to the algorithm and a competent approach to work can you achieve the most reliable foundation that will withstand significant weight and will not become unusable during operation. After reading this article, the master should not have a question about how to properly reinforce the foundation.

The universal strip foundation is most often used in private housing construction. It copes well with all loads. Therefore, it can be used both for the house and for service buildings. A key condition for the strength of a structure is a properly manufactured and installed reinforcing frame.

The reinforcement of a strip foundation must be approached from the position of correct selection of the steel reinforcement itself. In terms of its diameter and the number of rods cut to a certain length. Therefore, it is very important to calculate the above indicators at the stage of designing a house. Competently draw up a reinforcement scheme.

Proper reinforcement of a strip foundation means choosing the right reinforcement. This means that we need to understand the range of this building material. The classification of reinforcement includes several types and types that differ from each other in production technology and external structural data.

By type of production

Hot rolled with marking “A”;
Cold-deformed with the designation “Вр”;
Rolled "K".

According to the shape of the drawing

With ring profile;
Crescent-shaped;
Combined.

So, when they make a frame for a strip foundation, use hot-rolled reinforcement with a crescent or combined profile. Of course, the quality of the foundation for a house will largely depend on the number of rods in the reinforcing lattice and on the diameter of the selected reinforcement. Therefore, it is very important to correctly calculate both indicators.

Calculation of reinforced frame

The rules for reinforcing a strip foundation are based on the assembly diagram of the frame structure. It is divided into three types of reinforcement, laid in different planes.

Working reinforcement

These are reinforcing bars located along the trench. They are installed in several rows in height, the number of which depends on the depth of the foundation itself. The number of rods located in the horizontal plane depends on the width of the foundation trench. For example, if the depth of the foundation is 1 m, then when using reinforcement with a diameter of 8 - 14 mm, they are laid in 2 - 3 rows. As for the width, at this figure of half a meter, two rows of reinforcing bars are installed.

Vertical

These are vertically installed rods, which fasten the working reinforcement bars together, resulting in the main mesh of the reinforced frame.

Transverse

These are segments of reinforcement that fasten together two or more meshes installed in the formwork of the foundation strip. In essence, these are transverse ties that ensure the joint work of the reinforcing grids.

There are certain standards for the reinforcement of monolithic strip foundations, which define standards for the dimensional indicators of reinforcement.

For transverse reinforcement, rods of at least 6 mm in diameter are used.
Vertical rods are selected by diameter depending on the depth of the foundation structure. If the depth does not exceed 80 cm, then rods with a diameter of at least 6 mm are used. If the depth exceeds this indicator, then no less than 8 mm.
As for working reinforcement bars, a special calculation formula is used here:

D=S x 0.001, where S is the cross-sectional area of the foundation, and D is the total diameter of all rods located in the longitudinal direction.

There is one condition. If the length of the working reinforcement does not exceed 3 m, then the minimum diameter for the reinforced frame of a strip foundation will be 10 mm. If the length exceeds 3 m, then the minimum size is 12 mm.

4 rods of 8 mm reinforcement is 2.01 cm².
6 rods are already 3.02 cm².
10 rods of 14 mm rods are 15.39 cm².
The same amount is for 12 mm - 11.31 cm².

These indicators are in the tables of SNiPs and reinforcement assortments. They are very convenient in terms of choosing the exact quantity and diameter.

When assembling reinforcement into a frame for a strip foundation, it is important not to forget that errors in reinforcement will certainly lead to cracking of the foundation structure. Therefore, when assembling, we must not forget about the little things. For example, when two adjacent lattice frames are connected at the corners of trenches, it is necessary to take into account the reinforcements of their connection.

And these are additional clamps, wire and hooks, with the help of which not only the connection is made, but with their help the structure of the reinforced frame itself is strengthened. But in the corners of the building the foundation undergoes the greatest loads and stresses.

Video

Useful video about reinforcing strip foundations.

Scheme

The reinforcement scheme of a strip foundation is the exact location in space of longitudinal, vertical and transverse rods assembled into one structure. To make it clear, let’s consider the classic scheme as the simplest. Here it is shown in the photo below.

SNiP number 52 - 01 - 2003 clearly stipulates how reinforcement is laid in a strip foundation, with what step in the transverse and longitudinal direction.

Here are a few positions from this document.

Step of laying rods depends on the diameter of the reinforcement for the strip foundation, the size of the crushed stone granules, the method of laying the concrete solution and its compaction.
Working reinforcement step– this is a distance equal to two section heights of the reinforcing tape, but not more than 400 mm.
Transverse reinforcement– this distance between the rods is no more than half the width of the section, but not more than 300 mm.

Pay attention to the photo again. The dimensions of the structure itself are not the dimensions of the foundation strip. The whole point is that the frame must be located inside the body of the foundation, therefore the same SNiP clearly stipulates that the distance from the edges of the planes of the foundation tape to the reinforcement should not be less than 5 cm.

It is this dimensional indicator that is taken as the basis when calculating the cross-sectional dimensions of the frame system. For example, if the width of the foundation is 50 cm, then the length of the transverse elements of the frame will be 40 cm. If the laying depth is 1 m, then the vertical rods are cut to a length of 90 cm. These are the maximum lengths; they may be less.

Using the reinforcement drawings for a strip foundation, you can easily indicate the overall dimensions of the structure. But you need to correctly position the frame inside the trench and From the sides you will be able to see how to place it and at what distance from the formwork surfaces. It's more difficult with the bottom of the trench. Therefore, supports 5-10 cm high are installed at the bottom, on which the reinforced frame is laid.

Reinforcing the corners of a strip foundation is a separate topic, After all, the corners are loaded the most. Therefore, the structure is strengthened here in different ways. For example, clamps made of reinforcement are additionally laid in a horizontal plane, fastened to the frame with wire.

The second option is to release the rods of each structure, located in separate adjacent trenches, and bend them at right angles to insert them into adjacent trenches for fastening to the adjacent reinforcement frame. There are other ways.

Rules

The technology for reinforcing a strip foundation is based on the accurate calculation of all structural elements, taking into account the diameter of the reinforcement and its assembly diagram. We have sorted out the distances and the diagram, now we can proceed directly to the assembly process. The most difficult thing is if the task is to connect the reinforcement with clamps, which are used as transverse fastening of the reinforcing grids. Making clamps is not always easy, especially if they have a complex shape.

Therefore Those who are planning to do the foundation reinforcement with their own hands are advised not to bend the reinforcing bars, but simply cut them to the required length, which corresponds to the distance between the meshes. The reinforcing grids themselves are assembled on a flat area, where they are cut to size and connected to each other with knitting wire. As mentioned above, taking into account the installation step of steel reinforcement.

If the width of the trench allows, then assembly can be carried out directly on site inside the formwork. To do this:

The distance from the surfaces of the formwork structure to the reinforced frame is set.
At the junctions of the trenches on the formwork, taking into account the distances, self-tapping screws are screwed in or nails are driven in.
Twine is stretched between them, which will show the location of the working reinforcement.
Now vertical rods are driven into the ground (sand cushion) along stretched strings, taking into account the installation pitch. In principle, there is no need to drive everything in, the main thing is that you need a quantity that can be used to hold the working reinforcement bars. Therefore, they are driven in in increments equal to three or four calculated steps.
Now there are horizontal rods at a distance of 5 - 10 cm from the bottom to the vertical rods. It is very important that they are located exactly in the horizontal plane.
Next, in exactly the same way, but only taking into account the set aside distance of 5 - 10 cm from the surface of the foundation, working reinforcement rods are installed, which are attached with wire to the vertical rods.
All that remains is to lay transverse sections of reinforcement between the gratings and fasten them with binding wire.

Here's a simple guide: step by step instructions) strip foundation reinforcement schemes. Despite its apparent simplicity, this is actually labor-intensive work that will take more than one day. It is easier to assemble the gratings on the ground. Then install them in trenches and formwork on supports. Align vertically and secure with cross rods.

True, if the side of the foundation is long, then the lattice will not be short. This means that it will weigh quite a bit, so it will be difficult to lift and lower it into the opening between the formwork elements. Either several assistants or lifting equipment will be required.

Sole reinforcement

To increase the load-bearing capacity of the foundation strip, the design includes a sole in its design. Essentially, this is an extended strip foundation located under the main structure. It allows you to increase the base area, which leads to a decrease in loads on the ground. That is, the foundation becomes more stable.

How to reinforce the base of a strip foundation is a question that worries many novice builders. In principle, everything is the same here. The only thing is to reduce the distance between the frame elements to 20 cm. In this case, the structure is installed in the formwork under the sole, that is:

The formwork is assembled under the sole.
A reinforcing frame is installed in it.
The frame is mounted under the main structure, fastening it with wire to the lower reinforced frame.
The formwork is assembled under the main tape.

Typically this design is used for a buried foundation. To make it easy to work inside the trench, its width is made one meter larger. This is an increase in the volume of earthworks, but there is no other way out. After all, installing a metal structure to a great depth with the additional installation of wooden formwork requires scope. In this case, the assembly of the reinforced frame is carried out outside the formwork. Inside, only the lower reinforcement is tied to the upper one.

Angles

The correct reinforcement of the corners of a strip foundation must be approached from the position of strengthening the corners. It was already mentioned above that there are several methods (methods) by which two reinforcement structures are connected in adjacent trenches. Let's look at one of the most simple options, as an opportunity to reinforce a strip foundation with your own hands.

Is it necessary to reinforce the strip foundation in the corners in a special way? The answer is only positive. Look at the photo above position “a”, which shows the most simple circuit connections between two adjacent structures. It shows that the ends of the working reinforcement rods bent at 90° extend into the adjacent formwork. There they are connected to the rods of the longitudinal elements.

An overlap is created in these places, which guarantees high joint strength. In this case, the bent reinforcement bars themselves create high connecting strength of two adjacent concrete structures.

Tape reinforcement

The question of the need to reinforce a shallow strip foundation (MSLF) is often asked. To dot all the i's, let's explain some points that are indicated in SNiPs.

If a one-story building with a height of no more than 10 m is being constructed with a reduced degree of responsibility on any soil. There is no need to reinforce the foundation.
When constructing buildings higher than 10 m at the normal second level of responsibility. And these are residential and public buildings with several apartments. Reinforcement must be carried out. In this case, the spacing of the reinforcing rows is at least 20 cm.

In design projects for lightweight buildings, the reinforcement method is often specified in the form of laying a single grid similar to a slab foundation. This is completely wrong because in the center of a strip foundation (even a shallow one) the loads are insignificant. They are located along the edges of the tape.

That is why working reinforcement is the main thing in terms of load-bearing capacity. That is why the rods are located from the edges of the concrete structure at a distance of 5 - 10 cm, and not 30 or 40. They have the largest diameter compared to the vertical and transverse elements.

Conclusion on the topic

So, understanding the topic of how to properly reinforce a strip foundation with your own hands, it becomes clear that this is not just reinforcement assembled into a lattice structure. This is a strict assembly scheme of reinforcing bars selected according to diameter and length and laid with a certain step. That is, you cannot make a reinforced frame by eye. Everything in it must be in strict accordance with calculations and standards. In this case, it is very important to carry out the bonding correctly, and not welding.

The question of whether it is necessary to reinforce a strip foundation has not been asked for a long time. Reinforcement must be done taking into account the above-described calculations, nuances and assembly technologies. Don’t forget to choose the right steel reinforcement.

All builders know that reinforcement of a strip foundation is a necessary stage in the construction of buildings, thanks to which it is possible to achieve the necessary characteristics of strength, reliability, resistance to external influences, and significantly extend the service life. The tandem of concrete and metal guarantees the best properties that neither of these materials can provide separately.

Strip foundations are most popular in individual construction of residential buildings, as they are relatively inexpensive, involve low consumption of materials, and quick and simple construction. But without strengthening the foundation, a structure of this type will not have the necessary properties and will not last long. Therefore, hardening must be done; all work can be done with your own hands.

Concrete requirements

Proper reinforcement must be done using the highest quality materials. The brand and class of concrete are selected in accordance with the required indicators. The main strength properties of concrete structures are tension (Rbt,n), transverse fracture and axial compression (Rb,n). Reliability correction factors ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 can be taken into account.

Requirements for fittings

To understand what reinforcement is needed for a strip foundation, it is necessary to perform calculations and consider the main types of material. To perform the work, mechanically strengthened, hot-rolled, heat-treated construction reinforcement is used. The class is selected according to maximum loads, taking into account tensile characteristics, ductility, weldability, corrosion resistance, ability to withstand temperature changes, etc.

The main brands of rods: hot-rolled rod (A), cold-deformed wire (BP), very strong rope (K). For the foundation frames, rods of the A400 (AIII) yield strength class with a crescent-shaped herringbone pattern are selected.

Proper reinforcement involves the use of the following types of rods:

Workers - for laying around the perimeter
Transverse vertical
Transverse horizontal (clamps)
Additional - usually a binding wire is used instead

To understand which fittings are best to use, you need to remember some rules. To strengthen the base of one- and two-story buildings and light structures, rods with a diameter of 10-24 millimeters are suitable. The strength characteristics of thicker (and much more expensive) reinforcement are unlikely to be used.

The rods must be corrugated, as they provide excellent adhesion to the concrete mortar; their thickness must clearly correspond to the values specified in the documents. Smooth rods are cheaper, but they will not allow you to create a reliable and durable reinforced frame. They can only be used in transverse connections where the load is not very large.

When creating a strip foundation frame on homogeneous soil, you can choose a material with a diameter of 10-14 millimeters; on heterogeneous soil, 16-24 is better. If the side of the building is more than 3 meters, the working reinforcement of the monolithic foundation is made from rods of at least 12 millimeters, but not more than 40.

The technology requires that horizontal clamps in diameter should not be less than a quarter of the working rods - usually 6 millimeters. Vertical rods for low-damage foundations of 80 centimeters or less should be at least 6 millimeters in cross-section. Having thought everything through, you can determine what diameter of the rods is needed for different types works

Reinforcement requirements

Before reinforcing, you need to decide what size the frame will be, make a drawing, draw a diagram of all the work and structures. The geometric dimensions of the foundation must be such that the location of the reinforcement is free. The concrete layer completely covers the frame, protecting it from external influences and corrosion.

The minimum distances between the rods must be sufficient for effective joining and compliance with all technology rules. Only high-quality fittings are used in the work, in accordance with SNiP 3.03.01. Bending of rods is performed using special devices. The bending radius corresponds to the diameter and physical parameters rods.

Video of manual machine for bending reinforcement

And another useful video:

Video on how to bend reinforcement using a homemade machine

Calculation of size, quantity and diameter of reinforcement

It is important to immediately know how much reinforcement is needed to make the reinforcement cage reliable and durable. Knowing the dimensions of the building, you can carefully calculate everything.

Standard frame configuration for small houses:

Bottom and top row of belt
3-4 rods for each row
The current distance between the rods is about 10 centimeters. The distance from the rods to the edges of the base should be at least 5 centimeters.
The belts are connected with clamps or sections of rods in increments of 5-30 centimeters.

So, if you need to build a building with an area of 150 square meters, the perimeter of the external walls is 50 meters. To calculate the amount of reinforcement, you need to take everything into account: 2 belts of a longitudinal row of 3 rods each equals 6 rods, multiplied by 50 meters, that gives 300 meters of main rods. If the lintels are laid in increments of 30 centimeters, the result is 167 pieces per 50 meters. The length of the transverse lintels is 30 centimeters (167x0.3=100.2 meters), vertical - 60 (167x0.6=200.4 meters).

It turns out that to the question of how much reinforcement is needed to strengthen a house with an area of 150 square meters with a wall perimeter of 50 meters, the answer is: 300 meters of thick corrugated rods and 300.6 thinner rods. Plus 10-15% for stock and docking.

Rules for reinforcing strip foundations

Working rods must comply with at least class A400.
Welding is not used to connect rods due to the likelihood of weakening the cross-section of the element.
The frame is tied at the corners, not welded.
It is better not to use smooth reinforcement even for clamps.
The layer of external protective concrete must be at least 4 centimeters, which will guarantee effective protection from rust.
In the longitudinal direction, the rods in the frame are connected with an overlap equal to at least 25 centimeters and at least 20 diameters of the rods.
The standards require that when metal rods are frequently placed, the aggregate in the concrete solution is not very large and does not get stuck between the rods.
How to properly lay reinforcement in a trench - this can be done in two ways: create a frame outside the foundation or directly in the trench. The reinforcement methods are almost equivalent, but you will have to hire someone to work in the trench, while constructing the frame separately on site can be done independently.
Knitting is carried out with a special crochet hook or knitting machine.

Many people wonder what kind of wire is used for knitting - the answer is simple: soft thin wire is not very high level strength. It needs to be pulled well; a strong knot is obtained in 2-3 turns of the hook.
The overlap (the distance from the edge of the rod to the knitting point) should be at least 5 centimeters.
All wire connections should be as tight as possible, with no free space between the clamps and the frame, and no element should move.

How to knit reinforcement mesh yourself

The following step-by-step instructions will give you the opportunity to learn how to properly make a frame and provide the foundation with the necessary properties. The easiest way is to knit ready-made reinforcement for a strip foundation on the ground. Straight sections of the mesh are created outside the structure, but the corners are knitted after the frame is lowered into the trench.

First you need to cut pieces of rods. It is better to start knitting with the shortest section of the foundation in order to gain a little experience. You need to cut to a minimum, trying to use the entire length of the working rods. If we take as an example a width of 40 centimeters and a height of 120 centimeters, then the indicators are as follows.
The metal is poured on all sides with a layer of concrete at least 5 centimeters thick. The net dimensions of the frame in height are a maximum of 110 centimeters, width – 30. For knitting, add 2 centimeters on both sides for an overlap. It turns out that the blanks for horizontal jumpers should be about 34 centimeters long, and vertical ones - about 144 centimeters. This is for high foundations, but usually a base with a height of about 80 centimeters is used.
2 rods are placed on a flat surface, horizontal spacers are knitted at a distance of 20 cm from the ends on both extreme sides: the wire is folded in half, pushed under the fastening point and tightened by twisting the hook.
At a distance of about 50 centimeters, all the horizontal struts are attached in turn, the structure is put aside, another one of the same is made - these are the lower and upper frames that need to be tied together: adapt stops for both meshes between the rods and 2 struts vertically at the ends, attach the remaining pieces. The same should be done with all straight sections of the structure.
Then, at the bottom of the trench, pads with a height of at least 5 centimeters are laid, side supports and a mesh are installed correctly. Now you need to knit every corner and joint, creating a single frame. The overlap of the ends of the rods must be equal to at least 50 times the diameter of the rods.
Next, the lower turn is tied, the vertical posts are attached, and the upper frame is attached to them. Then, on all surfaces of the formwork, you need to check the distances, indentations, and overlaps at the joints so that everything is done correctly and clearly.
Connecting rods along the length usually does not cause problems, but fastening the frame parts in the corners must be done in accordance with established standards. There are two ways: between two perpendicular structures or at the point where a wall adjoins another.

Corner knitting technologies:

1) Rigid with a foot - at the end of each rod, knit a foot at a right angle with a length of at least 35 diameters of the rod, connect the bent part to the perpendicular section. This is how the outer rods of the wall frame are attached to the outer rods of the other, while the inner ones are also welded to the outer ones.

2) G-clamps - instead of a clamp, take a clamp with a length of at least 50 reinforcement diameters, one side is attached to the frame of one wall, the other is attached perpendicular. The outer rods are connected to the inner ones, the pitch of the clamps is ¾ of the height of the wall.

3) U-clamps - for one corner you need to install two U-shaped clamps with a length of at least 50 reinforcement diameters, each welded to one perpendicular rod and two parallel ones.

Junctions are created using similar fastening methods.

Knitting reinforcement using a special device - a knitting machine

To create this tool, you need to take several boards 20 millimeters thick, cut 4 boards along the length of the reinforcement, connect two at a distance equal to the pitch of the vertical posts, creating 2 identical templates. Next, two vertical supports are made with a height equal to the height of the reinforcement mesh. The supports are constructed with side corner stops; it is better to choose a flat area for work.

The device is used as follows: the legs of the stops are installed on two knocked down boards, the two upper boards are placed on the top shelf of the stops and fixed. That's it, the reinforcement mesh layout is ready, now you can quickly knit it. It is enough to place the vertical reinforcement struts in the marked places, fixing them with nails, install the rods on each steel lintel, doing this on all sides of the frame. Next, take a hook and wire - that’s it, you can knit. Such a device is relevant where it is planned to create many similar mesh sections.

Video on how to knit reinforcement using a device

How to knit reinforced mesh in a trench

Working in a trench is more difficult, so you need to plan everything ahead of time. Special devices or ordinary stones are placed at the bottom of the trench at a height of at least 5 centimeters in increments of the width of the mesh. The stones are laid out with longitudinal rods, and horizontal struts are tied. Until the rods are in the desired position, a second person holds their ends.

The reinforcement is knitted with a step between spacers of 50 cm wide. We install the pegs and begin to knit the monolithic structure. This is done on all straight sections. Parts of the frame should not touch the formwork; they should be at a distance of several centimeters from the formwork.

Then the corners are knitted using one of several existing methods. It is imperative to maintain the length of the overlaps, with the installation of vertical rods. Rods are often used here with a larger diameter, increasing the strength of the material. Upon completion of the binding, the concrete solution is poured in one go, covered with polyethylene, and during the drying process it is periodically watered with water by spraying.

Welding fittings for reinforcement

In most joints, it is better to use knitting instead of welding - the finished structure will be more durable. Welding is possible only if you have a machine and extensive experience, exclusively on straight sections.

In order for the foundation to be truly reliable, it is also necessary to take care of the correct execution of the excavation work under the tape, arranging several layers of materials (not only for the base and top of the foundation, but also for filling).

In places where there is no heavy load, you can select reinforcement in favor of bars of smaller diameter. If strength does not suffer from this, but it is possible to reduce the cost of work, this option is allowed. Deciding what diameter of reinforcement to use in your work should take into account two parameters: ensuring sufficient strength and the cost of work, choosing the optimal price-quality ratio. In some places, the use of thick reinforcement is simply not relevant, but purchasing more expensive material will significantly increase the cost of the entire construction.

The layout of the frame in the formwork must be level. Before laying the structure, it is necessary to carefully check all dimensions to exclude distortions, deformations, and non-compliance with parameters.

Video reinforcement of shallow monolithic strip foundations

And another video:

How to properly reinforce a strip foundation with your own hands

The correct selection of reinforcement and compliance with all regulatory requirements for organizing the process will make the reinforcement of a strip foundation a justified and effective stage of work. Thanks to the reinforcement frame, it will be possible to significantly improve the strength characteristics of the building, make it resistant to various impacts and loads, reliable and durable.