I am thinking about constructing a house in Central Texas along I35 in the town of Bruceville. Not a large house around 1500 sf, but I have been warned not to go concrete foundation because there is a fault line running the length of i35 and it would effect the house in the future. Any one heard of this. I know I cannot dig more that 13 inches before I hit solid rock not gravel Solid rock. Should I go pier and beam and if so what would be the best style for this location. d*
No. You can only sink them in 12". A full foundation would cost the same and be more stable. This is the first I heard of Texas as a seismic catagory zone. I do know it can be a high wind/ hurricane zone.
A follow up.
Almost all of Texas is in seismic category A, with almost no risk of earthquake.
(http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/images/ICODA2011080515172447472.jpg)(http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/images/ICODA2011080515172447473.jpg)
Parts of Texas are in the severe wind category. I hear they get a lot of wind and the occasional hurricane or twister.
(http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/images/ICODA2011080515172447476.jpg)
In high wind areas, I would suggest a full stable foundation that is heavy and anchored to the earth. Because you have no frost depth and require very little digging, they are usually cheaper too.
A slab on grade usually is strong and inexpensive for that location.
I would think that if you are hitting solid rock that you could pin your piers or stemwall concrete work to that rock. Check w/ local foundation contractors - maybe see what they would do and what it would cost.