Mat Foundation Reinforcing
Mat Foundation Reinforcing
(OP)
I'm designing a mat foundation to support material handling equipment. The equipment is basically a short (in height) series of beams and supports that transfers long bundles of material across it. When I normally design a mat foundation, it's for a silo or tower and ends up being rather thick, and reinforced with a top and bottom mat of steel. This mat fdn for the mat'l handling equipment does not need to be more than 8" thick with shrinkage and temperature steel as the min. reinforcing required.
My intent is to place the steel at mid height of the slab. Typically, I use a top and bottom mat of reinforcing designed for the positive and negative moments between supports. But in this case, I feel that is overkill.
Anyone designed something similar that they could share their experiences on?
My intent is to place the steel at mid height of the slab. Typically, I use a top and bottom mat of reinforcing designed for the positive and negative moments between supports. But in this case, I feel that is overkill.
Anyone designed something similar that they could share their experiences on?






RE: Mat Foundation Reinforcing
Good luck.
RE: Mat Foundation Reinforcing
Consider the economics of a 12 inch slab vs and 8 inch slab:
1. Excavation cost may a little higher, but not much.
2. Subgrade preparation costs are identical.
3. There is "room" for meaningful top and bottom rebar mats. In the 8 inch slab the rebar is at, or near, the neutral axis and is of limited value.
4. The formwork is virtually identical.
5. Concrete placement cost may be a little higher, but not much.
6. Concrete finishing costs are identical.
7. Concete curing costs (curing compound, etc.) and time required are identical.
8. You do buy 50% more concrete, but you are getting it installed for essentially the cost of the concrete.
To me, the extra 4 inches is cheap insurance.
RE: Mat Foundation Reinforcing