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Thickened Edge slab or standard wall and footing 2

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James275

Civil/Environmental
Feb 26, 2009
4
Hey all. A simple question to the experts, but i am building a utility building(60x48)to be used as a shop for ranch and farm functions. I am looking to do a thickened edge slab or footing and stem wall. Because of price i am considering the thickened edge which would be 24" deep at the edge (slab is 4") . Thought was to put down mini fingers another 12"deep every 8 ft that would be below the 36" frost level. Soil is solid and free draining.

Could you help me with understanding the pros and cons?

THanks,

Jim
 
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One end of it, about 900 SF will be heated like a home.
 
Footings need to be below frost at the perimeter and at unheated isolated footings. Check with local building officials for that depth. The portions of the thickened edge above frost depth can be lifted up by ice lenses, (which would also effect the rest of the concrete). The use of both vertical and horizontal insulation can negate the need to be below frost depth since the insulation slows the advance of frost to the bottom of the footing.
 
Thanks Civilperson. Appreciate your insight. I will do exactly that.
 
The insulation sometimes doesn't work too well in an unheated structure, which your shop might be?

 
JAE: your right, i don't think the insulation would work that well in an unheated structure. I am going to the standard footing and stem wall to ensure to issue with frost. Cheap insurance for a struture i don't want moving!Q

thanks so much for your feedback!
 
Insulation works good for transformer slabs, (unheated and exterior), in Ontario with 10 foot frost depth.
 
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