Strip, pad & beam, piled footing HELP!!

[freddy871]

Had plans drawn up and architect has given calcs for pad & beam. mail reason is I have 4mtr conifer within 3mtr of proposed structure. Need advise on next steps, i.e. alternatives that may reduce cost. p Have decided to go with timber frame instead of traditional but have been told still need deep footings because of tree close by.
Anyone provide help or point me in the right direction to maybe a planning area or document that outlines footing requirements with trees in the equation.

Thks JB

 

[^woody^]

If you have had these foundations designed by a professional, then you can either get him to confirm that they are the only cost effective option, or get the opinion of another qualified professional.

I don't think that being pointed to any documents on the internet is going to help you ... unless you know how to design foundations

 

[freddy871]

Thought there maybe a resource somewhere that would show guidance depth where trees are concerned. Seems a tad extreme 3mtr deep, 1 mtr square pads with reinforced beams etc.. Maybe I will bite the bullet and get a soil test done with pricing for piles.

Thanks, JB

 

[^woody^]

There is guidance, but not meaning to be blunt, you would not know how to interpret it into a suitable foundation design would you?

Your blokes design may be excessive, and include some arse-covering, so that's why you could ask him for alternatives

 

[indus]

Thought there maybe a resource somewhere that would show guidance depth where trees are concerned. Seems a tad extreme 3mtr deep, 1 mtr square pads with reinforced beams etc.. Maybe I will bite the bullet and get a soil test done with pricing for piles.

Thanks, JB

Funnily enough the exact same foundations were recommended to me. I was proposing to make an outbuilding within 2m of many large trees, one of which must be over 50ft tall.

There are some resources out there if you want to take a look. If you google nhbc+ building near trees you'll find some tables with some recommendations.

 

[freddy871]

Thanks for response, just trying to better understand distance to trees against soil types of soils, shrinkage/heave etc. Hopefully it will aid in making a decision on what type of footing I go for.

JB

 

[Static]

Depth of footing isnt the only consideration, you need to think also about heave protection (ie claymaster etc) even with a pad and beam option the beams would need heave protection..
NHBC is a good resource for information to start thou..

But you should also consider, what type of ground you are on, are you on clay ground?
Then also think about cutting the tree down as this can sometimes reduce the depth of the footing required..

 

[freddy871]

question, does anyone have any feedback on the following essex piling companies? cannon piling, hill piling and advanced mini piling.? Be nice before I start asking for quotes.