The Self Build Diary - Day 37 - Today is Hardcore

So today saw continuance of the filling of the ring beams of the foundations. I was asked yesterday why we had chosen the foundation method that we had; well the area is in a coal area and is a brownfield development site.

We sought the opinions of structural engineers and after doing some ground investigations via trial holes we looked for advice. we received a few different suggestions.

This is where having those people around you that I have previosly discussed is all important. To have the skill and knowledge and experience at your disposal of a builder, architect and other professionals that you trust and understand the project is invaluable. A structural engineer is no different, they must be on board with what you want to acheive, but at the same time deliver what is required with the balance between cost, timescales and most importantly the efficacy that is required, as no one wants their dream home dissapearing back into the ground in 10 years!

Our structural engineer (Marsh Design, Huddersfield) did just that, he saw what was required and designed it, nothing more. Another scheme discussed with another structural would have meant us having a straight forward 600mm slab of concrete full of steel to secure a private dwelling house; two other opinions saw this as excessive and unrealistic for a project of this nature.

Our design uses a 400mm ring beam and a 200mm slab on top, less concrete, less steel, more opportunity to lose spoil in the site rather than paying for it to be removed, and overall about ten thousand pounds less than a 600mm slab. this demonstrates that different individuals will give you different solutions, not all will base it on the projects objectives too.

Without the guidance of an architect and builder i trust, we could have just taken the advice of someone not in tune with the project and that would have put a massive hole in our budget.

This is the ring beam with the interior shuttering removed, the steel work is exposed at the top to tie it into the main slab when we pour it this week (temperature depending).

Here you can see how the builders pack the inside of the beam with spoil and then 100mm of hardcore to the level of the inside of the beam, then will pour the slab up to the level of the outer shuttering, once the steel mesh reinforcement has been constructed between the beams and over the hardcore.

So on course for a concrete pour this week, drains dug and a level site ready for scaffolders on Monday......fingers crossed. Neil