Joining footing and slab

[BlakeYancey]

I’m looking for some advice. I am building a home in Tennessee(clay soils). I’ve contracted out my slab foundation.

I originally asked for a monolithic slab, but it appears my contractor has something different in mind.

My contractor poured a footer yesterday then plans to place a slab on top of the footer. However, he didn’t add any vertical rebar to the footing. I asked about it, from here he plans to adding a “floating slab” on top of the footer. I don’t like the cold joint, and I don’t like how the slab isn’t tied to the footer in anyway.

Is this an issue, or am I being dramatic? Any advice?

 

[phamENG]

Lots of houses built that way, but you're right - not great. If this is a "normal" house - 3/2 and less than 3,000sf, you're probably okay as long as you're not up on the top of a hill or ridge - but the only way to know is to run an analysis.

Do you have code enforcement in the area? If not, you may want stop work and hire a local engineer to review the design and set the requirements. Expect a change order from your contractor, of course. How you deal with that is up to you. If you do, then they should be following the approved plans, and the approved plans should show the required connection between footing and stem wall/slab.

It could be that friction is all that's needed. But also maybe not. We can't tell from here - you need a local structural engineer to review the project in detail.

 

[jhnblgr]

Did you have actual plans?

 

[JAE]

Go hire a local engineer.

 

[BlakeYancey]

I bought plans from southern living, unfortunately it just gives dimensions of the foundation not a cross section as to how it will be installed.

Also, this is rural Tennessee, so code enforcement is lacking, besides electrical.

I discussed my thoughts with him a little more. He will now be adding vertical rebar w/ epoxy every 4ft. The slab will also be identical to a mono slab from here, where the perimeter will be 10" thick. Therefore, the "footer" will be 22" (12"existing+10" from mono). I guess the only downside will be the cold joint?

I appreciate your thoughts

 

[jhnblgr]

I’d be more worried about the pretty drawings you bought than that footing. Do you have a frost depth or is that not a concern. Really should have a competent person review your building prior to building. It’s cheaper to do it right once that do a bunch of repairs. Just because building codes aren’t enforced doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea. Especially if you are the GC for yourself.