- Concrete footings 101
- Bearing capacity of soil
Understanding soil type and bearing capacities - Footing size
How to determine the minimum size for soil conditions - Footing problems
Pouring in wet soil and more - Frost heave & foundation footings
- Frost protected shallow footings
- Related Information:
- Concrete calculator for footing pours:
Figure out how many cubic yards you'll need - Foundation drains for concrete footings
FPSF in Heated Buildings
In a heated building, the frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) relies on heat from the house to raise soil temperatures around the foundation. One layer of insulation covers the outside face of the foundation, while a second extends horizontally away from it. The rigid foam traps any heat that the ground absorbs from the building, keeping soil temperatures around the footing above freezing.
Keep in mind that increasing the floor insulation will decrease the heat flow to the foundation, and more perimeter (FPSF) insulation will be required.
Tests have shown that the building's heating system can be safely turned off for a three week period in the winter because thermal lag in the concrete will maintain the soil temperature above freezing.
