Alternative footings

[looksatstars]

I am looking to build a small 600 sq ft cabin on a lake lot.
I would like to incorporate a timber frame structural skeleton enclosed by strawbales for the walls.
The lot is in alberta, canada where the winters can be severely cold.
It will not be a heated space throughout the winter so I worry about frost heaving.
I am looking for a good idea for the basement foundation.
I first thought of concrete piles with a grade beam. The timber posts could rest on the concrete piles.
Then I read that piles should be a minimum of 10 feet. I don't feel this method would be economical.
Then I looked into a slab on grade. But cannot find a design that will work with protection against the frost.
Has anyone had any experience with a void form under a shallow footing?
Any ideas would be helpful.

 

[cvg]

you might get a better reply if you post this in the Foundation engineering Forum

 

[dicksewerrat]

Are you going to dig a basement down below normal frost line?

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[looksatstars]

I would like to get away without having a basement or crawlspace.

 

[BigH]

What type(s) of soils form your foundations? If fine grained (and likely the case), then you will have to worry about frost - if coarse grained (gravels or coarse clean sands), these soils are not frost susceptible so with a little thought, you could get out from worrying about frost heave. You can consider using equivalent styrofoam (EPS) around the base of your cabin (and even under the cabin) to minimize the depth of frost penetration and hence potential for frost heave.

 

[looksatstars]

The soils are hard packed clay.
The cabin would not be heated in the winter.

I have read about insulated the foundation but heard it only works for heated spaces.

I am suprised there arent more options out there.

 

[BigH]

Check the other post you made in the Foundation Forum (try to keep your posts to one only as most of us check all soil/geotechnical threads anyway). Don't know why you think that about heated situations only. They use styrofoam in highway construction as a thermal layer under the pavements.