» How to make a brick foundation with your own hands. Building a brick foundation with your own hands Is it possible to make a foundation out of brick

How to make a brick foundation with your own hands. Building a brick foundation with your own hands Is it possible to make a foundation out of brick

When planning the construction of a structure on a personal plot, each owner purchases raw materials based on his capabilities and the functional purpose of the structure. But the main criterion remains the long service life and reliability of the future building.

A brick foundation is an affordable option that you can build yourself. Although installing it will require a lot of effort, time and patience, the result will be impressive.

Let us consider in more detail the aspects of creating such a foundation.

Thematic material:

The pros and cons of a brick foundation

Among the main advantages of such a foundation it is worth highlighting:

  1. No formwork installation required.
  2. Possibility of laying by hand.
  3. Selecting tape shapes.
  4. Reducing concrete consumption, which means saving money.
  5. Compatibility with other types of materials.
  6. Easily repairable.
  7. There is no need to involve special equipment or a team of workers.
  8. Good level of thermal insulation.
  9. If you perform high-quality waterproofing, then in terms of service life it will not be inferior to a concrete strip or monolith.

But it is worth considering the disadvantages:

  1. High labor intensity of work. Manual brick laying takes a lot of time and effort.
  2. Mandatory reinforcement with reinforcement is required. Otherwise, its service life is reduced significantly.
  3. Brick has a high level of hygroscopicity. Due to this, its frost resistance is reduced.

In addition, this type of foundation can only be erected on a stable piece of land with a low groundwater level.

In some cases, it can be installed on moving soil, but provided that a reinforced concrete foundation is prepared underneath.

For what buildings can or cannot be used?


Depending on the complexity of the design, a columnar or strip type is used.

You cannot lay such a foundation under two-story or three-story houses, where the walls will be made of brick or monolithic concrete.

There are no restrictions in the choice of material for cladding the facade of a building.

Choosing suitable types of bricks

Red fired solid (ceramic) is best. If we are talking about the construction of a furnace, then fireclay (fireproof).

Most often these types of raw materials are used because they:

  • have a clay base;
  • resistant to moisture;
  • durable;
  • durable.

They have no obvious shortcomings.

But it is important to pay attention to the quality of the material purchased. If the raw material is overcooked or not kept for the required time, it will take on a dull scarlet color and will have concave edges; over time it will begin to crumble, which will lead to the destruction of the foundation belt.

Clinker is suitable for cladding the facade. It is resistant to any manifestations of the external environment, lasts for decades, but its price is quite high.

White sand-lime brick should be used exclusively for finishing the basement of buildings made of block or wood. Despite its strength, it has high hygroscopicity and low frost resistance. The situation is the same with red hollow.

If you lay the base from silicate, then under the influence of moisture, after a few years, individual sections will begin to crack.

Sizes, brands

The required type of raw material must meet the following requirements:

  • to be whole, without voids;
  • frost resistance level – from 35 cycles and above;
  • water absorption – no more than 16%;
  • compressive density – 1600 kg/m3.

Ceramics should be of the following grades: M150, M200, M250.

Suitable brick sizes:

  • 25*12*6.5 cm – single;
  • 28.8*13.8*6.5 cm – modular;
  • 25*12*8.8 cm;
  • 28.8*13.8*8.8 cm.

We calculate the required amount of material

Initially, a drawing of the future structure is developed, which takes into account:

  • land type;
  • what material the walls and ceilings will be made of;
  • the presence of a basement or attic;
  • area of ​​the base of the building.

And based on the load on the foundation, its shape (ribbon or pillars), width, depth, and amount of material are determined.


When calculating the material for a columnar brick foundation, it is important not to forget about the cross-sectional dimensions of the supports. It is correct to make them square with an edge of 38 cm or rectangular, measuring 38*51 cm.

We create a brick foundation with our own hands

Having determined the purpose of the building, they decide to erect a ribbon or pillars.

But in any of the options, waterproofing is required. The old proven bitumen, rolled roofing felt, is well suited for this. For additional protection from moisture, dig a trench and lay a drainage pipe in it.

Let's look at step-by-step instructions for creating each type of brick foundation.

Stages of construction of a columnar foundation

Its strength is sufficient for light structures:

  • small country houses made of logs;
  • plank utility blocks;
  • summer shower and toilet;
  • gazebos.

It’s easy to lay such a foundation yourself, armed with guidance from experienced builders. Its price is affordable, and there is no need to make a blind area.

  1. For a one-story frame house, pillars measuring 38*51 or 38*38 cm are sufficient.
  2. If this is a summer kitchen with an attic, then the dimensions of the supports are increased to 51*51 cm.
  3. Cement grades M400 and M500 are best suited for mixing the solution.
  4. The bottom of the holes must be leveled, compacted and geotextiles laid. It will become an obstacle to the penetration of moisture into the foundation, will not allow sand to go into the ground, and weeds will not grow.
  5. A cushion of crushed stone and sand is formed on top, and roofing felt is laid.
  6. After this, they begin laying the pillars in the proven old-fashioned way.
  7. Every 4 rows it is recommended to strengthen the supports with a layer of wire mesh.
  8. To ensure that all columns are in the same plane, each laid out row should be checked with a building level.

An important feature that is worth considering is that the supports under the load-bearing walls are made much thinner, approximately 25*38 cm.

Construction of the ribbon

The choice in favor of this foundation is possible if you plan to build a building with a ground floor, basement, or attic on the roof. Walls can be built from stone or reinforced concrete.

According to the experts, the tape is a reliable foundation not only on hard ground, but also on sandy, heaving loam. The main thing is to perform high-quality reinforcement.

Pouring a broken brick foundation

Sometimes parts of brick remain from old buildings, which can also be used as auxiliary material when pouring the foundation. But even here it is suitable only for the basis for small structures such as a bathhouse, barn or gazebo.

There is no point in assuming that this raw material will make a reliable tape, a monolith for the house. Even if a good layer of mortar is poured, the rubble stone will not withstand such a load.

Broken brick is an additive to concrete instead of crushed stone. Therefore, we advise you to familiarize yourself with some of the intricacies of its use:

  1. Raw materials should be beaten until small pieces of equal size are obtained.
  2. The material must be placed closer to the center of the foundation.
  3. Only parts of ceramic solid bricks should be used.
  4. For 1 m 3 of base, ½ battle will be required.
  5. The layer of concrete mortar should be 2 cm higher than the level of the rubble to be covered.

By choosing brick as the main material for the foundation, you will receive a reliable foundation that you can make yourself, saving on the services of builders.

As a building material, brick has been developed and used for a very long time. Its use in the construction of load-bearing walls and building cladding is not surprising, and now it is used for the construction of foundations. It is difficult to consider it an ideal building material for such a difficult role; in individual construction it is rarely used for this purpose. What characterizes a brick foundation?

High rigidity, average strength, low resistance to moisture and low temperatures. Considering the above, it is recommended to build a brick foundation in dry, non-heaving, hard soils with low groundwater.

Brick foundation

Brick foundations are mostly used for light one-story buildings. Such a foundation is economical, and if all the technological features of its construction are followed, it can last 28 years or more. Most often, bricks are made from:

  • shallow strip foundation - for non-heaving soils;
  • strip foundation buried to the depth of soil freezing - for heaving soils;
  • columnar foundation - for light buildings on medium-heaving soil.

A strip foundation is an underground support foundation in the form of a strip under the load-bearing walls of a structure. Its ground part is the base, thanks to which the structure is protected from dirt, dampness, and atmospheric residues. In the underground part of such a foundation it is possible to arrange a cellar or basement. A strip foundation can support a fairly heavy building not exceeding 2 floors. It can be erected on heterogeneous soil. A strip foundation will effectively support a massive house, and will also relieve it from the harmful effects of instability in the ground caused by rain and snow loads. The desire to complement the building with a basement, cellar, or underground garage is often one of the main factors in the construction of such a base.

This option as a brick foundation has long been a thing of the past. But, nevertheless, there are people who still use similar technology in construction to this day. There are many prejudices about the construction of this type of foundation for a brick house. Concerns are mainly related to situations that arise during operation. Many users have encountered a problem where the foundation cracked after a period of time. The process is often connected with the fact that developers did not think about the need to use such an option and did not take into account the weight of the structure. It is important to understand for what purposes such a case is best suited.

When is a foundation needed?

The first thing you need to figure out is for what cases it is optimal to use brick for the foundation. Although, from a technical point of view, this option is applicable for any structures, in practice it is used exclusively for one-story buildings of light weight. It is not recommended to build a huge two-story brick house on such a white foundation. But for an extension or for the construction of a small bathhouse, veranda or modest white summer house, the material is suitable. A brick foundation is distinguished by a set of certain positive and negative aspects that are important to consider in the process of preparing for work. In addition to the main material, the brand of concrete, type of soil and insulation used in the work also play an important role.

Brick is suitable for decorating strip and column bases: the main thing is to prepare a reliable base.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages


This type of foundation crack can be repaired without much effort or expense.
  • Installation without the use of formwork. It is a significant economic advantage. The advantages are that there is no need to pour concrete into the formwork; therefore, time and money are not wasted on constructing such an element.
  • There is no need for large-scale concrete work.
  • Bookmark flexibility. If damage occurs (if there is a crack in the foundation), the problem is eliminated locally.
  • The ability to choose and make a strip base in any shape, and additionally insulate the structure.

Disadvantages of a brick foundation

  • Short service life. The disadvantages are that, in comparison with a strip concrete foundation, white or red brick loses in this regard.
  • Large volume of masonry. The blind area around the house takes a long period of time to form.
  • Weak design. Reinforcement bars must be used as additional reinforcement.
  • Incompatibility with soil. It is recommended to use a brick foundation in places remote from groundwater flow.
  • High hygroscopicity rates. Brick is a material that quickly absorbs moisture in the ground; the finished structure gradually collapses.

What material is used?

Burnt red brick is the ideal material for this type of work.

If you are laying a brick foundation with your own hands, it is important to know which material is in no way suitable for such purposes. In this case, sand-lime brick is completely unsuitable for work. The above-ground part for the base is laid out with a white block. In order to design an underground brick foundation, high-quality fired red brick is used, which is least susceptible to moisture. The use of low-quality broken bricks is not allowed - the entire result of the work will come to naught.

How to calculate materials?

The amount of necessary materials is calculated in accordance with the work plan. Step-by-step instructions, as a rule, contain data on the approximate required supply of funds for laying the foundation. Approximately 400 bricks are used in one cubic meter of masonry. To calculate the approximate amount of material, multiply the estimated volume of the structure by 1 cubic meter. m of work. In addition, brick formwork involves the use of cement, insulation and reinforcing material.

Additionally, you may need paint to color the base.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Tape


An additional measure during construction is a sand cushion.

This option can withstand a more serious load, up to a small wooden house. Brick strip foundations can be shallow or recessed. The second method is used when taking into account the depth of soil freezing. The main work is carried out in areas with heaving soil (the most suitable option); in addition, it is recommended to additionally sprinkle the area with sand and gravel so that in the future there will be no situations with deformation of the structure and the house will not move to the side.

Preparation

The preparatory stages involve the same actions as in the case of a columnar foundation. A trench approximately 1 m wide is dug around the entire perimeter of the project. The dimensions of the extension are agreed upon in advance. If there are processes in the area where the groundwater level is high or the soil itself is too wet, the width of the proposed pit should be 1 m larger than the building itself (a necessary condition for drainage). The procedure ends with the bottom being covered with sand, water is poured in, and then compacted.

Despite the fact that a brick strip foundation is not in high demand in the modern construction market, it still exists as one of the methods for constructing foundations and has the right to be used. It is most often considered as a not very reliable design and therefore is practically not used for massive buildings. Its main disadvantage is the susceptibility of the base material to external influences: moisture and heaving from the soil. But with correct calculations, the use of high-quality materials, and compliance with the norms and regulations of SNiP, such a structure can last for a long period even under heavy loads. Read about how to calculate the foundation for a house.

A brick strip foundation is characterized by both positive and negative properties.

Positive points include:

  1. The absence of large volumes of concrete work, thanks to which the developer has the opportunity to carry out the brickwork himself.
  2. There is no need to use formwork, the installation of which takes a lot of time and entails additional costs.
  3. Good design flexibility compared to monolithic bases. When moving in the soil layers, the brickwork is not subject to global destruction. But if, nevertheless, partial damage appears, then eliminating them is quite simple; for this, local sealing with stone is performed, only in damaged areas.
  4. The ability to create a strip base of any shape from brick.

The negative points are:

Materials required for constructing a brick base

In addition to the appropriate brand of brick, you need to stock up on:

  • materials for thermal insulation and waterproofing;
  • masonry mesh and reinforcement to create longitudinal or transverse reinforcement;
  • cement mortar, which includes: Portland cement (binder), quartz sand (filler) and water.

Important! If a potential developer wants to build such a foundation himself, then on the Internet you can find a lot of useful information about a brick-strip foundation. The video will help you quickly navigate the right choice of building material, and experts will tell you how to prepare a trench for the foundation and then lay ceramic stone.

Which brick is suitable for a strip base

How long such a foundation can last depends entirely on the correct choice of masonry material.

First you need to decide which stone you absolutely cannot use. The use of silicate and hollow red stones for the foundation is not recommended, since according to their technical characteristics they are not intended for this type of work and even the best waterproofing cannot improve their performance characteristics. Only on dry soils with low groundwater levels can these materials be used in very rare cases, but only with high-quality waterproofing and insulation.

Red solid baked brick is an ideal option for laying it in a trench. The structure of this material is characterized by increased resistance to moisture and heaving. The technical characteristics and properties of ceramic stone are directly influenced by the brand, which is available in the following versions: M 150, M 175, M 200, M 250, M 300. You may be interested in an article about the features and stages of organizing a pillow for a strip foundation, you can find it going to this one.

Each brand has the following indicators:

  • strength (M);
  • frost resistance (F);
  • water absorption (coefficient ranges from 6 to 8.5%);
  • density class.

Ceramic stone is available in different sizes, such as:

  • ordinary single with parameters 200 x 120 x 65 mm;
  • regular thickened – 200 x 150 x 88 mm;
  • modular – 288 x 138 x 65 mm;
  • modular thickened – 288 x 138 x 88 mm.

Strengthening the base

To strengthen a strip-type brick base, the following are used:

  • steel rods made from corrugated reinforcement with a diameter of 6 - 8 mm for longitudinal reinforcement;
  • mesh of steel wire with a diameter of 4 to 6 mm for transverse reinforcement.

How a brick strip foundation should be strengthened, the photo on the website demonstrates the phased implementation of the work.

Calculation of the quantity of materials

What should you base your calculations on?

The starting point is the volume of the foundation trench. To do this, measurements are taken to obtain data on:

  • the length of the trench running along the entire perimeter of the building;
  • width of the strip foundation;
  • the depth of the foundation, which must correspond to the mass of the future structure and the condition of the soil.

Based on these data, the total volume of brick is determined, from which the amount of cement mortar calculated per cubic meter is subtracted. meters. All calculations are made in accordance with SNiP.

Why is the foundation waterproofed and insulated?

In order to prevent the brickwork from being affected by excessive moisture, heaving and low temperatures, a set of construction and construction measures are carried out on the outside and inside of the foundation.

How to insulate a strip brick foundation? Videos on this topic are posted in large numbers on the Internet, where the entire process of insulating the base is described and shown in detail. A modern thermal insulation material is ideal for performing this work - extruded polystyrene foam, which is produced in slab sheets of different thicknesses.

The waterproofing material used is:

  • geotextiles (non-woven fabric), which is used to separate soils and provide integrity to the base;
  • bitumen and cement-based mastics;
  • sprayed bitumens.

What affects the cost of a brick foundation?

For a brick strip foundation, the price is determined depending on the amount of basic material, as well as additional material, which was used to strengthen the structure, conduct hydro and thermal insulation. And also read what the cost of building a foundation for a house is.

Conclusion. The construction of a strip-type brick foundation involves the use of a large amount of materials, which is not always advisable due to its high cost. And the use of recycled products is not acceptable, as it reduces the strength characteristics and service life.

Often, when choosing a foundation for a particular structure, a strip-type brick foundation is not considered due to its insufficient reliability. We have encountered this kind of misconception more than once. The reason is that, seduced by the simplicity of the design, the developer sometimes does not bother with calculations and compliance with the rules for constructing the foundation - for example, installing waterproofing. But the reliability of the foundation consists of three components - accurate calculation, competent execution of work and quality of materials.

Fig.1 Foundation diagram

Characteristics of a brick foundation

  • High rigidity;
  • Average strength indicators;
  • Low resistance to moisture and low temperatures.

The service life of a strip-brick foundation, subject to installation norms and rules, is from 30 to 50 years.

Application area

Strip foundations (rub concrete and brick) are optimally used for: stable soils and buildings of lightweight construction.

Advantages:

  1. The absence of large-sized heavy structural elements makes it possible to independently construct the foundation without the involvement of hired workers and special equipment.
  2. In case of soil movements, there is no global destruction (the foundation is more flexible than monolithic foundations).
  3. A partially destroyed foundation can be easily repaired by restoring fragments of brickwork in the right places.
  4. The base can be given any ribbon shape without the use of formwork.

Flaws:

  1. The hydroscopic nature of the brick allows moisture to easily penetrate its structure, which negatively affects the stability of the foundation, and in winter leads to freezing. The number of freeze/thaw cycles for a brick base is limited, so reliable waterproofing is required.
  2. Compared to a concrete base, it has a shorter service life.
  3. Limited area of ​​application (dry, non-heaving, stable soils with low groundwater levels are recommended). When building a foundation on unstable soil, it is necessary to increase the strength of the brickwork from mechanical loads using reinforcement.

Materials for the construction of a brick foundation

To build a brick foundation for a private house you will need:

  • brick
  • insulation;
  • waterproofing materials;
  • materials for reinforcement (rebar, masonry mesh);
  • cement mortar.

How to choose a brick for a strip foundation

Brick is the main material for a strip-brick foundation. The reliability and durability of both the foundation itself and the house or other structure as a whole will depend on its correct choice.

What brick should not be used for the foundation?

The construction of a foundation made of any (!) silicate and hollow bricks is unacceptable. I don’t think that no matter how good your waterproofing is, you cannot create a foundation from these types of bricks.

Fig.2 Sand-lime brick Fig.3 Hollow red brick

Which brick is better for the foundation?

For laying the underground part of the foundation, choose a solid red ceramic brick, high-quality fired. It is less susceptible to moisture than others and is characterized by high compression resistance.

Fig.4 Solid ceramic brick

The above-ground part of the foundation, the base and the upper floors can be laid out of white sand-lime brick. Such bricks can be used for an above-ground foundation only on a dry soil layer with low groundwater levels.

Brand of foundation brick

The correct choice of material grade plays a decisive role. It is necessary to take into account two main parameters - M (load per 1 sq. cm) and F (frost resistance - the number of freezing-defrosting cycles). To construct the foundation, bricks of the M-150, M-175, M-200, M-250 and M-300 brands with frost resistance F 35-100 are used. The water absorption rate is also important. For underground masonry its value is in the range of 6-16%

Brick sizes

To build a strip-brick foundation, you can use standard bricks of the following sizes:

  • single regular (250 x 120 x 65 mm);
  • thickened (250 x 120 x 88 mm);
  • modular (288 x 138 x 65 mm);
  • modular thickened (288 x 138 x 88 mm).

Brick for the foundation: price issue

Today, prices for various brands of solid ceramic bricks vary from 8 to 20 rubles per piece (as of 2013). The final figure depends not only on the characteristics of the material itself, but also on the size of the purchased batch. The larger it is, the lower the price. Some retail outlets also offer delivery by vehicle with a crane manipulator - free or paid. In this case, unloading is accelerated, but you will have to leave the deposit value of the pallets. (A pallet can accommodate from 200 to 450 bricks).

Example. The construction trading house "Petrovich" in St. Petersburg offers the following brick for the foundation.

Solid building brick M-150, 250x120x65 mm, Pobeda (LSR).

Designed mainly for laying external and internal walls (partitions) of buildings and structures of various heights, for constructing foundations and plinths, laying in basements, as well as erecting load-bearing structures. Can be used for the construction of fences and to create architectural highlights.

Marking according to GOST: Brick KORPO 1NF/150/2.0/75 GOST 530-2007.

KORPo- single ordinary solid brick.

2.0 (medium density class): thermal insulation is weak

75 (frost resistance): 75 cycles

Calculation of the number of bricks

The amount of brick required to build a foundation is determined based on the volume of the foundation. The volume is calculated taking into account the configuration and width of the tape, the depth of the laying and the weight of the future structure. For example, one cubic meter of brickwork described in our example will require 513 bricks. But we must not forget about the solution, which usually takes up about 0.25 m3 of the entire masonry. From here we get that there will be about 400 bricks in 1m3 of masonry. To calculate the total amount of material, you need to multiply the resulting volume by the number of bricks in 1 m³ of masonry.

Insulation and waterproofing for the foundation

When constructing a brick foundation for a house or other structure, the masonry must be protected from moisture and freezing. For this purpose, hydro- and thermal insulation materials based on extruded polystyrene foam (tiled), geotextile (rolled), cement-based (coated) or bitumen (sprayed) are used.

Fig.5 Sprayed waterproofing Fig.6 Rolled waterproofing

Reinforcement and masonry mesh

The brick foundation is strengthened directly during masonry work using longitudinal and/or transverse reinforcement. In the longitudinal direction, the masonry is reinforced with corrugated steel reinforcement rods (diameter 6-8mm); in the transverse direction, the role of reinforcement is played by steel wire mesh (wire diameter 4-6mm).

Fig.7 Armature Fig.8 Masonry mesh

Cement mortar

For laying the underground part of a strip-brick foundation, a high-strength cement-sand mortar is used, and for the above-ground part it is permissible to use a mortar based on a cement-lime mixture with a similar ratio of cement and other materials in a ratio of 1:3.

Fig.9 Preparing cement mortar

When building on a site with high groundwater levels, the solution must contain waterproofing additives. The solution recipe generally depends on the type of soil.

Instructions for constructing a strip-brick foundation with your own hands

Before starting work on the site, it is necessary to develop the configuration of the foundation and calculate its volume, taking into account the upcoming load (weight of walls, ceilings, roof) and soil properties. The width of the brick foundation should be calculated so that the strip is half a brick wider than the walls of the house. This allows you to conveniently lay the logs on the internal ledge when installing floors.

  1. Excavation work: a trench is dug under a strip-type brick foundation so that it is possible to lay a layer of waterproofing material on both sides along the masonry. On clayey and heaving soils, backfilling is necessary, so the width of the trench increases by at least 1 m.

What is it for. By using a concrete base, you can increase the bearing capacity of the foundation. Concrete can be reinforced with metal rods and/or steel wire. (this stage is not mandatory, as it significantly increases the cost of the foundation)

To calculate the composition of concrete, we suggest using our service: Calculator for calculating the composition of concrete.

If subsequent plastering of the foundation is not planned, the seam is made flush. Otherwise, normal internal seams are acceptable. The seams between the foundation bricks must be filled with mortar. The external seams of the plinth are facing and should not be filled with mortar to a depth of 10-15 mm for better adhesion of the mortar during plastering. This type of masonry is called “wasteland”.

On problematic soils, the masonry is reinforced.*

  1. After finishing the masonry work, the brick foundation will need time - about 2-3 weeks - for it to fully stand until the mortar finally sets.
  2. We have already said earlier that in areas with high groundwater and excessive moisture, it is necessary to carry out preliminary filling. But in addition to the sand cushion at the bottom of the trench, it is also carried out along the perimeter of the foundation. The space between its walls and the walls of the trench is filled with gravel, crushed stone, coarse sand or simply construction waste. This layer contributes to the accelerated removal of water during periods of prolonged rains and snow melting.

*How to reinforce a brick foundation

If the soils on the site where the house is being built are not stable enough, the strip-brick foundation must be reinforced. This design of the base will allow it to withstand serious mechanical loads even on problematic soils.

When carrying out work to strengthen the foundation, make sure that the reinforcement (2 belts of 2 rods each) is hidden under a layer of cement mortar to a depth of at least 2 mm. This will increase the thickness of the seam. For reinforcement, metal rods with a diameter of 6-8 mm are used. They are laid at a distance of half a brick from the side surfaces of the tape along its entire perimeter.

For transverse reinforcement, a mesh of steel wire with a diameter of 2.5-6 mm is used. If wire with a thickness of more than 5 mm is used, then weave in a zigzag manner.

Let's summarize this article. So the obvious things.

  • A brick foundation takes place when it comes to stable soils with low groundwater levels. It is advisable to use for light structures: bathhouses, one-story houses, garages.
  • We use only ceramic solid bricks with a frost resistance of at least 35 and a strength class of 150. Ideally, with maximum frost resistance and strength class.
  • Brick is afraid of water, even the most waterproof. Therefore, a prerequisite for the construction of a brick foundation will be good waterproofing of the entire masonry.
  • Brickwork must be reinforced with reinforcement or masonry mesh to increase its strength under mechanical loads.
  • To increase the strength of the foundation, it is recommended to use a concrete pad under the brickwork. Although, as I understand it, for very light structures you can do without its use, especially in soils not subject to heaving. Still, such a concrete pillow is an additional expense of money.

Question: why use brick for a strip foundation, and not make a more popular and durable monolithic strip foundation from concrete and reinforcement? After all, as they write in books, the difference can be quite noticeable, namely 150 years for a monolithic foundation and 50 years for a brick foundation.

The first thing that should come to mind is the price, namely the cost of materials and the work itself. Let's try to count. We will not take reinforcement into account, since both concrete and brickwork are reinforced. We will also not take into account the labor costs themselves. Let's consider them more or less equal. In brick, this is the laying process itself, preparing the mortar. In concrete this is the installation of formwork, the creation of a reinforced frame. Provided, of course, that the concrete is poured using a concrete mixer.

Let’s simply calculate the cost of materials per 1 m3 of finished foundation.

Brickwork

According to the norms, 1m3 of masonry is 400 pieces. brick (250*120*65). The solution consumption rate per 1 m3 will be 0.25 m3.

As a result, we get 4000 rubles. (400 bricks x 10 rub./brick) + 800 rub. (cement mortar) = 4800 rub.

If we consider that we will lay the brick on a masonry mixture, then it will be even more expensive.

For 1m3 M-300 concrete we will need: 380 kg of cement, 0.5 m3 of sand, 0.8 m3 of crushed stone.

As a result, we get 1500 rubles. (Portland cement grade 500D0) + 800 rub. (crushed stone) + 250 rub. (sand) = 2550 rub.

Comparison. The difference is exactly 2 times. By the way, if you order concrete with a concrete mixer, its average cost also fluctuates around 2500 rubles/1m3

The conclusion can be drawn as follows: a brick strip foundation is less durable and more expensive than a monolithic strip foundation.

Strip-type brick foundation, Do-it-yourself brick foundation construction


A brick strip foundation is an economical type of foundation used on dry, hard soils. The key to its durability is accurate calculation, good materials and competent execution of work.