1. Pier Foundations
Piers
Suspended floor
Ground beam
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2. Options for building piers….
Cross section through typical application. In the example used in this slide-show the site was on quite a steep slope (with problems for levelling piling rigs), and there were several obstructions in the ground.
Options for building piers….
Concrete inspection chamber rings
Concrete drain pipes on ‘end’, on pad foundation
Blockwork pier on pad foundation
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3. On this site, piers are formed from pre-cast concrete rings filled with insitu concrete. Pits are excavated for each ring as shown on the left.
When the first ring is in position additional rings can be added to bring the pier up to the right level. Concrete can then be poured.
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4. A typical detached house might be supported by 6 piers
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5. Here, the floor is suspended and is formed from pre-cast beams
A ground beam sits on top of the piers - it is shown in plan in the left hand picture and in section below.
Steel bars in top of the pier are tied in to the steel reinforcement cage in the ground beam
Here, the floor is suspended and is formed from pre-cast beams
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6. Ground beam Pier - depths vary
In this example the suspended floor is in-situ concrete. The ground beam and the floor are about to be poured in one operation. The earth below the slab acts as temporary support while the slab is curing.
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7. The picture on the left shows the finished ground beam
The picture on the left shows the finished ground beam. The photo below shows some brickwork in place - you can just make out the top of the pier.
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