Concrete Foundations (D01)
Foundations are literally what everything else rests on – get this wrong and problems compound forever.
This BidScope guides you through foundation types: full basement foundations (8-9 feet tall walls, fully usable space below), crawl space foundations (18-24 inch walls, access to utilities), and slab-on-grade foundations (concrete floor poured directly on ground).
Learn footings first – typically 16-20 inches wide and 8-12 inches thick, placed below frost line (36-48 inches in Utah depending on location and soil type).
Understand wall reinforcement: #4 or #5 rebar placed horizontally and vertically per engineering specifications, with increased reinforcement near corners and openings.
Navigate Utah’s seismic requirements for Wasatch Fault zone D2 – anchor bolts every 4-6 feet, hold-downs at corners, proper rebar lap lengths and placement.
Master waterproofing: dampproofing with tar-like coating for above water table, full waterproofing membrane systems for below water table or high-risk areas, drain tile around footings, gravel backfill for drainage.
Know concrete specifications: minimum 3,000 PSI compressive strength, 5-6 inch slump for workability, air entrainment 5-7% for freeze-thaw resistance.
Understand curing requirements and cold weather versus hot weather considerations.
Plan for proper drainage with foundation drains connected to discharge points.
Coordinate plumbing penetrations and sleeves.
Budget for backfill and compaction.
This tool ensures your foundation is engineered right, built right, and will support your structure for generations.
What’s Included:
- Foundation types (full basement, crawl space, slab-on-grade)
- Full basement advantages (living space, storage, tornado shelter) and costs
- Crawl space advantages (utility access, lower cost than basement) and drawbacks
- Slab-on-grade advantages (economy, no stairs) and limitations
- Footing specifications (width 16-20 inches, depth 8-12 inches typical)
- Utah frost depth requirements (36-48 inches by location and soil)
- Footing placement below frost line
- Soil bearing capacity and engineering
- Foundation wall height (8-9 feet for basements, 18-24 inches for crawl space)
- Concrete thickness (8-10 inches typical for basement walls)
- Wall reinforcement (horizontal and vertical rebar)
- Rebar sizing (#4 or #5 typical) and placement
- Utah seismic zone D2 requirements
- Anchor bolt spacing (4-6 feet maximum) and sizing
- Hold-downs at corners and intersections
- Rebar lap lengths and splice requirements
- Concrete strength specifications (minimum 3,000 PSI)
- Concrete mix design (slump 5-6 inches)
- Air entrainment for freeze-thaw protection (5-7% air)
- Cold weather concreting procedures
- Hot weather concreting procedures
- Concrete curing requirements (7 days minimum, moisture retention)
- Waterproofing vs dampproofing
- Dampproofing application (tar-based coating)
- Waterproofing membrane systems
- Foundation drainage tile (perforated 4-inch pipe)
- Drainage tile placement around footings
- Gravel backfill for drainage
- Discharge point for foundation drains
- Basement floor slab specifications (4 inches thick typical)
- Vapor barrier under slab (6-mil polyethylene)
- Plumbing penetrations and sleeves
- Radon mitigation sub-slab piping
- Forms and formwork
- Stripping forms timeline
- Backfill material and timing
- Backfill compaction requirements
- Cost factors and pricing (per linear foot, per square foot)
- Engineering fees and plans
