Pier foundations and steel stud skirting for hot climates

[John Raabe]

This is a short YouTube video on pier foundations vs slabs in hot climates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiHge1D3p7c

Thanks to H. Wolcott for the link.

[MountainDon]

Interesting. Even more interesting is one of the other videos from the same guy, same company.  This shows the drilling of the holes for one of their pier foundations, the rebar cage and concrete. The pier holes are dilled between 32 and 40 feet deep. Through Texas clay to bedrock. Not your average DIY pier.     Engineered by Steinman Leuvano Structures, Austin, TX.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWK0jraIy68

[John Raabe]

Yes, piers drilled down to bedrock would be a high cost solution. Apparently the soil in this area is silt which has a very low bearing capacity. Looking for alternative foundations for such soils I found such expensive options as concrete floating raft foundations on newly compacted fill that is brought in to replace the silt or "cottony" soils. Cottony soil, doesn't that sound relaxing?

While you can build just about anywhere if you throw enough money at a project, there are some sites that really shouldn't have buildings on them. Especially if you are wanting to build simple and for yourself. Eliminate such sites early and quickly or they will become money traps.

Here's some other land evaluation tips - http://www.countryplans.com/landkit/tips.htm

[Don_P]

I couldn't see the you tube so wasn't sure until MD posted. It is an example of why it pays to thoroughly understand the foundation one is attempting to copy. Very often what we see above ground isn't the whole story when it comes to foundations. We've linked to a paper on these foundation types several times, this is one true pier foundation. It sounds like they are showing it as an alternative to the more typical post tensioned slabs in that area. However, with the help of an engineer some form of structural "skirt" could be used to create a type of pier and curtain wall foundation. Fig 404.1.5(1) in the IRC details the prescriptive form of this foundation. The curtain wall provides the lateral resistance that braces the piers.