Car Port - Foundations / Slab

[jono_h]

I have to put in some foundations / slab for a 3-bay oak framed car port (9 x 5m). It will require Building Regs due to its size and proximty to the boundary.

The oak framing company have provided the drawings for PP, but there is no spec for the groundworks.

I have been in touch with BC, but getting a response has been a little tricky.

Is anyone aware of a generic spec for projects like this - in much the same way as most LA's are happy with a metre deep for 90% of extensions.
I was thinking that a 4 or 6" structural steel slab, supported on the ground may be adequate. I could put footings in; there's a good sand base about 6" down, but I don't want to create more work than is necessary.
Or is it time to get in an Engineer to spec it for me?

Thanks,

 

[wavetrain]

I have been in touch with BC, but getting a response has been a little tricky.

Did you speak to a BCO proper? What was tricky, did they refuse to speak to you? Give us some examples of what they told you.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Why hasn't the Oak frame supplier supplied details?

Presumably you've got various columns dotted around the perimeter? How many and where are they?

How are the walls to be constructed?

Tiled roof?

Maybe post jpegs of the drawings (with your address removed)?

Do you mean you are on sandstone?

You need to provide more info if you want advice.

BC are not an advisory service.

 

[mcluma]

I build an 3 bay car port with hipped roof, Rather then putting a full slab in, i went for 1 meter diep 40cm wide pile foundation, so the 10 poles of the car port are resting on these pile foundation, all with leveling feet.

Then in the carport itself it is just pea shingles on a bed of type 1 hardcore

if you need more advise let me know

 

[tkmax]

The answer is that the foundation type, depth and dimensions depend entirely on both the loads carried by each post and the load bearing capacity of the ground - i.e. engineer design following inspection of a trial pit.

If you're digging into compact sand or sandrock then its possible that a depth of foundation of between 450-600mm would be ok.

You might be able to get a local BCO to check the ground conditions (if you dig a trial hole) and reach an agreement to satisfy b/regs, if the roof covering is lightweight then the foundation requirements are minimal.