FOOTING DEPTH 1

[akitamaldita]

what is the "minimum" depth of a footing from the ground line if the building is a three-storey with no roof load. i was thinking of 0.5 M depth due to an existing drainage system underground. thanks!

 

[jayrod12]

Vague questions result in vague answers.

So my answer is as deep as it needs to be.

Unless you can more accurately define your scenario you likely won't get any reasonable responses.

 

[bridgebuster]

depending where your are...in a cold climate you would go below frost line, or as jayrod12 aptly put it "as deep as it needs to be"

 

[manstrom]

Underground drainage doesn't sound like something that you should put a building on.

When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

-R. Buckminster Fuller

 

[jayrod12]

For what it's worth 0.5m sounds shallow

 

[hawkaz]

What does your geotechnical report suggest? Every site is different.

 

[msquared48]

Frost depth or required bearing depth, greater of the two will control. Oh, and bridge over drainage areas.

.5 meters or 18" is very common here.





Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[jayrod12]

Fair enough. North of the 49 0.5m is shallow. But I'm accustomed to 1.8m of frost.

 

[steellion]

I'm in a moderate climate, and we typically locate the top of exterior footings at 24" below grade at a minimum. However, if I understand your question correctly, you are proposing to raise the footing above the drainage system. It should be the other way around: you want your footings founded BELOW the utilities to ensure adequate bearing and avoid rupture of the utility lines.

 

[oldestguy]

If there is a building code requirement, follow that.