How to make a rubble stone foundation with your own hands? Strength of a rubble stone foundation and its construction Foundation for a house made of stone

It is not so difficult to build a stone foundation with your own hands. It is a high-quality replacement for a concrete foundation, and therefore many developers strive to build a house using natural stone for the construction of the supporting structure. The work does not require the use of heavy construction equipment if the stone is freely available directly on the site where construction is taking place. In other cases, the owner of the future building will have to take care of purchasing and delivering a sufficient amount of building material.

Design Features

What is a stone foundation? This is the foundation of the house, built from natural stone; the voids in it are filled with fine crushed stone, and cement-sand mortar is used for adhesion. Experts say that such a supporting structure is several times stronger and more durable than a conventional strip foundation.

The peculiarity of the structure is that natural stone cannot be divided into certain categories depending on the shape and size of individual elements. The level of strength does not depend on the shape of the stones used to build a natural stone foundation. Rubble stone is used in the construction of one- and two-story buildings:

  • spending a minimum of financial resources;
  • without using construction equipment;
  • without needing the help of highly qualified specialists.

Another positive feature that distinguishes natural stone is its visual appeal and aesthetics. A plinth made of cobblestones does not need to be plastered, which reduces material and physical costs.

Constructing a stone foundation makes sense on various types of soil:

  • loamy;
  • sandy;
  • clayey.

In such conditions, the service life of the building is at least 50 years, which largely depends on the quality of the foundation stones.

The use of rubble stone for the construction of foundations in areas rich in this natural material is justified. This is due not only to a significant reduction in material costs, but also to the characteristics of the soil, which is characterized by increased strength in such places.

In order to strengthen the structure, reinforcing components are used, which are introduced into the base itself before pouring the cement mortar. In this case, the structure will serve for a long time without requiring additional maintenance. When choosing a stone, it is enough to check its strength using a regular hammer or sledgehammer.

Time costs are associated with the preparation of elements. Each stone will have to be thoroughly cleaned of any contaminants and additionally washed with water to ensure a high-quality bond of the cement mortar with the structural elements.

Selection of stones and preparatory work

The choice of stones for the foundation is based on their strength characteristics, and the size is adjusted during the work process. Fractions that are too large are broken up, and small ones are used to fill voids and create a cushion. Minimal time is required to prepare the cobblestone, but if you have to work with the so-called white stone, then as much attention as possible should be paid to its preparation.

The stone should not:

  • crumble;
  • dust;
  • crumble under the blows of a hammer into many small pieces.

The most important procedure in the preparation process is plinting. Large stones weighing more than 30 kg will need to be broken into at least 2-3 parts. The technology is simple, but labor-intensive. To begin with, the stones are cleaned and washed, pouring plenty of water on them, then, after waiting for them to dry, they use a painter’s cord to mark a line along which to split it, and only after that do they drive a chisel into the depths of the block.

Only fragments that correspond to the markings can be used as foundation elements for a house. Crushed stones are not used in the work.

High-quality elements under hammer blows will be divided into separate fractions of the required parameters. Not only the size is important, but also the weight of each broken piece. If the shape is not of great importance, then the weight of each stone should not exceed 30 kg. Having received the required number of components, you can begin preparing the land:

  1. Clearing, during which it is necessary to get rid of excess vegetation, especially trees and bushes.
  2. Carry out markings according to the approved design, paying special attention to the corners. Deviation from the value 90 0 will lead to distortion and cracking of the structure.
  3. Marking the outer boundaries of the foundation and stretching parallel strings at a distance corresponding to the width of the future base tape. This parameter should be 10 cm higher than the actual thickness of the tape, since the height (thickness) of the formwork panels that will be installed in the trench is taken into account.

Work order

When starting to build a foundation for a house using rubble stone or cobblestones, it is necessary to prepare trenches, the minimum width of which will be 70 cm, and the depth will be at least 80 cm. In each specific area, this figure is different, since it depends on the depth of soil freezing. After installing the formwork and creating the cushion, these values ​​will change. Sand is poured into a 15 cm layer at the bottom of the prepared trench, spilled with water and compacted. On top of it is gravel or fine crushed stone.

This layer is also subject to pouring and compaction. This is a necessary cushion for the foundation, playing the role of high-quality drainage. After its construction, they begin to assemble the formwork structure:

  1. From boards with a thickness of at least 3 cm (preferably 5 cm), shields are knocked down, the height of which corresponds to this parameter of the base.
  2. The finished panels are installed on both sides of the trench, fastened together with transverse jumpers and reinforced with supports made of lumber.
  3. As waterproofing, roofing felt or other rolled material can be used, parts of which are laid overlapping with an overlap of at least 5 cm.
  4. The prepared rubble stone must be thoroughly wetted with water so that in the future it does not absorb moisture from the cement mortar.

When laying rows, you must follow the order. The first row is placed on the short side (butt side), the voids are filled with crushed stone and compacted. Only after this do they begin laying the second row.

The second row of stone is spoon. This means that all the stones are placed on the long side, taking care to maintain the distance between them. Having completed the process, all elements are filled with liquid cement-sand mortar. At this stage, reinforcing rods with a diameter of 10-12 mm are installed between the stones to strengthen the structure.

The last row of stones is filled with concrete with less water in the composition and must be compacted using a vibrator. You can study the sequence of work in detail by watching the video.

When laying rubble stone when building a foundation for a house, you can alternate between spoon and tie rows, pouring liquid concrete over them and filling the voids with fine crushed stone or stone fragments. It is possible to build a high-quality, reliable and durable foundation by ensuring its correct installation. The stones must stand firmly and not wobble. During the construction of the foundation, it is imperative to check not only the horizontality, but also the verticality of the corners.

The walls and foundations of many wild stone buildings have survived to this day. Today, prefabricated or monolithic concrete has taken a strong place in the construction of foundations, but local traditions or the opportunity to purchase building materials at a low price encourage owners to build foundations from stone. Whatever the reason for the choice, you need to know all the intricacies of working with wild stone to achieve a good result of the strength and reliability of the foundation of the house.

A little about the stone

Nature has created an amazing building material, characterized by durability and strength. Stone is used for the construction of foundations, walls, barbecues and in landscape design. Large natural stone blocks are cut into equal parts by special machines and used for cladding. From natural stone you can pave beautiful garden paths on your site, line a fence, or create beautiful alpine slides.

Main properties of the stone:

  • Durability - breaking natural stone is not so easy.
  • Environmentally friendly - the material is created by nature without any human intervention.
  • High level of resistance to various chemical and climatic influences.
  • Aesthetics - the stone comes in different colors, and on its edges nature creates amazingly beautiful designs. Using these qualities, you can create entire compositions that are distinguished by their pristine beauty.
  • Durability - stone buildings can last for centuries.

Not every stone is suitable for construction work. The material of exfoliating and soft rocks is not suitable for the construction of durable buildings and laying foundations.

Note! To construct the foundation, irregularly shaped fragments of durable rocks called rubble stone are used.

To make the stone foundation reliable and strong, and to make work easier, choose flat-shaped stones. Large blocks of rock are split at the construction site or hewn.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of constructing stone foundations:

  • The high strength index allows the construction of buildings that have a long service life.
  • The natural material is characterized by a high level of resistance to destructive groundwater.
  • For a stone foundation, no changes in air temperature are scary.
  • The ability to replace expensive reinforced concrete foundation structures with building materials of a lower price level.

Disadvantages of stone foundations:

  • High labor costs.
  • The need to build massive structures so that they can withstand heavy loads. At the same time, smaller concrete structures are needed for the same load.
  • High consumption of building material and labor during the construction of a columnar foundation.

Construction procedure

Step #1. Preparing the pit for the foundation. When the building design is ready and all construction approvals have been received, you can begin preparing the construction site. We import rubble stone and other building materials in the required quantity. Prepare all the necessary tools. Mark the project and dig a pit. The depth of the pit should be below the soil freezing level.

Step #2. Installation of formwork. If the soil is dry and strong, you don’t have to install the formwork, but lay the rubble stone directly into the trench. In case of crumbling soil, conventional formwork is installed or sheet or roll materials are used.

Note! Ventilation and communication openings are provided before laying rubble stone. It is very difficult to drill a finished stone foundation.

Step #3. Rubble stone laying. The bottom of the trench should be covered with a 25 cm layer of sand, compacted and the first layer of stone should be laid. To do this, select the largest stones and forcefully lay them on the sand so that they lie firmly and do not move. If the depth of the foundation is 50 cm, then its width should be from 65 cm to 70 cm.

Note! Before laying the stone in the foundation, it must be soaked. Having absorbed water, the rubble stone will be cleared of small crumbling particles and will adhere better to the cement. First wet it and then let it dry a little.

The stone is carefully selected according to its shape, laying out the first row and the corners of subsequent ones. If there is no rubble stone of the required shape, you need to trim a piece closer in shape with a chisel and sledgehammer. The empty spaces between large blocks are filled with small fractions formed after hewing. The laid row is filled with liquid cement mortar, and then sand-cement mortar is laid. They begin laying the next row, observing the dressing.

Note! When using concrete blocks or bricks for the walls of a building, the upper part of the foundation must be reinforced. To do this, a reinforcing mesh is placed in the stone foundation and filled with mortar.

Step #4. Removing formwork. When the stone foundation gained strength, it was time to dismantle the formwork. There is empty space between the trench wall and the stone foundation. It needs to be covered with small pieces of stone. You will get an excellent drainage layer.

The remains of the stone can be used to create a beautiful alpine slide on a personal plot and paving garden paths.

Video

Below are the nuances of laying a rubble foundation:

Photo

As a result of many archaeological excavations, a large number of preserved foundations of ancient houses have been found. All of them were made of stone and have survived to this day in good condition. This suggests that a stone foundation may be more reliable than other types of foundations. Moreover, such structures do not require additional finishing. It is worth noting that many owners of suburban areas create stone foundations for houses with their own hands.

General characteristics of the material

Stone is a strong and durable material. That is why it is often used for the construction of various types of buildings. For example, the following are created from stone:

  • foundations;
  • Houses;
  • barbecues.

This material is also often used for cladding buildings. The stone has such properties as aesthetics, environmental friendliness and resistance to environmental influences.

But it is worth remembering that some types of stones are not suitable for creating a foundation. Examples include soft and exfoliating rocks. It is impossible to make a reliable foundation from such material. This is why builders choose rubble stone. This material consists of rock fragments that can have different shapes. All elements of the base of the house are fastened using cement mortar. When choosing such a material, it is worth considering that some of the stones have to be split and trimmed.

Advantages and disadvantages of rubble stone

You should make a decision on choosing rubble stone to create a foundation only after considering all the characteristics of this material. This is necessary, since creating the foundation of a house from this material is a rather complex process. It is important to remember that in order to create a level and strong foundation, it is necessary to carefully select stones in size and shape so that there are no voids in the created structure.

Most often, a rubble stone foundation is created if you need to build a high foundation for a house. This material has the following advantages:

  1. Environmental friendliness.
  2. Strength and durability. If you follow all the rules for creating this type of foundation, you won’t have to worry about deformation of the structure for many decades.
  3. Water resistance. Even when using stone in regions with high humidity, it will not in any way affect the condition of the stone foundation.
  4. Attractive appearance. Foundations for a house made of natural stone do not require finishing.

But it is worth remembering the disadvantages:

  1. Difficulties during the construction of a stone foundation. When creating a foundation for a house, you must carefully calculate the load on the structure. At the same time, during construction it is necessary to accurately select stones so that they are suitable for installation in a certain place.
  2. Duration of construction. Creating a foundation can take a long time, since fixing each stone requires careful attention to the work.
  3. Complexity of calculations. Before starting construction of the foundation for a house, quite complex calculations are made. If this is not done, the foundation may be less secure.

It is also worth noting that the material has a high cost, so only a small number of owners use it when creating their homes. If desired, you can reduce the cost of the structure - the base, which is located in the ground, is made of rubble stone, and the upper part is built of brick. But when choosing this option, you must remember that the technology for laying these materials is very different.

Many owners of country houses, instead of using natural stone to create a foundation, use decorative ones.

Preparatory work

When designing a structure, it must be taken into account that the foundation must be located below the freezing level of the soil. After drawing up the project, the territory is marked for digging trenches.

When creating trenches, it is necessary to remember that their dimensions should slightly exceed the values ​​​​specified in the project. This is necessary, since after digging the ditches, their walls may partially crumble. To prevent this, you need to make formwork from wood or metal.

Creating a sand cushion

After the formwork is securely secured, sand is poured. The pillow should consist of several layers, each of which is moistened and compacted. After this, waterproofing material is laid on the sand. Typically, roofing felt is used, the sheets of which are laid overlapping. This prevents loss of moisture from the concrete pavement as it hardens.

If you do not have experience in performing such work, it is best to create a strip foundation, since during the construction of pillars, even a small mistake can lead to their destruction during operation.

Rules for laying stone

To construct the foundation of the house, cobblestones with horizontal surfaces are selected. Such elements can be easily combined into a single structure. Such stones form the basis on which the foundation will be created. The stones installed in the first layer should not wobble, as otherwise the base will be less reliable.

If there are no cobblestones with smooth edges, you can eliminate natural defects with a hammer. When cobblestones are pressed into the sand layer, depressions are formed. To eliminate them, you should re-compact the sand layer with the addition of crushed stone or pebbles. The space between the stones is filled with fine-grained crushed stone. Tamping occurs until the surface is level. Only after this does the cement mortar pouring begin. Having made a stone foundation with your own hands, you don’t have to worry about its durability, since such structures can last for more than a hundred years and do not need repairs.

Using certain work algorithms, you can speed up the process of creating a stone foundation. Professional builders give the following recommendations:

  1. If the trenches have gentle slopes, they can be used to supply concrete and stones. If there are steep slopes, it is necessary to create scaffolding.
  2. Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare places intended for communications. This will reduce the time it takes to create the foundation of the house.
  3. Before starting work, it is necessary to accurately calculate the amount of building materials used.
  4. Periodically it is worth mixing the created solution using a construction vibrator.
  5. If work is interrupted for more than a day, you need to make a coating over the structure that will protect it from drying out.
  6. After a break in work, it is necessary to clean the base. You also need to moisten it with water. If this is not done, the adhesion of the materials will deteriorate.
  7. If laying the base continues after the cement has already hardened, it must be pricked with a sharp object and then the fragments must be removed. This will also help improve grip.

The solution for creating a stone base should be prepared from cement grade M400 or M500. To prevent the base from cracking after drying, it is necessary to check the sand for the presence of clay and, if necessary, clean it. You should also remove any debris that may be contained in the sand.

It is worth remembering that cement and sand are mixed first, and then water is added. The consistency of the resulting solution should be such that it looks like sour cream. The foundation is usually not finished, since the created structure looks beautiful and is combined with many design styles of the site. Often the base of a house on a stone foundation is made of brick.

Not at all times the foundation was built from concrete, because it was simply previously inaccessible and unknown to mankind. In those days, wild stone was used to build the foundation, the use of which is still observed today.

The stone foundation of a house with your own hands attracts the attention of many owners of future structures and buildings. The reasons for using a stone foundation may be as follows:

  1. These are also local traditions.
  2. And the cheapness of this building. After all, the material for construction, that is, stone, can either be purchased at an inexpensive cost or found for free.

Regardless of the driving reason, you need to figure out how to properly build a solid foundation.

General characteristics of the stone

Construction of foundations from various materials: a – rubble; b – rubble concrete; c – brick on rubble concrete; g – brick; d – rubble on a sand cushion; e – brick on rubble; 1 – waterproofing layer; 2 – walls; 3 – lining.

Stones are durable and very strong materials. With its help, you can make not only a foundation, but also build a wall, build a barbecue, grill and much more. Today it is actively used in landscape design, in addition, it is used as a facing material.

Such widespread use of this material for building a house became possible due to a number of its properties, such as strength, durability, aesthetics, environmental friendliness, and resistance to all kinds of influences.

But not every stone is suitable for construction work for a house. For example, flaking and soft rocks will not be able to provide the necessary strength to the foundation. That is why it is necessary to use rubble stone, which is irregularly shaped rock fragments, for the base. For ease of masonry work, it is better to use stones with a flat shape. The stones are held together using cement mortar. If the stones are very large, then they will have to be split and trimmed to work.

Return to contents

Advantages of a rubble foundation

The special strength of this material allows it to achieve a service life of up to 150 years. There are many examples of structures made from natural stone several hundred years ago. Rubble stone is not afraid of temperature changes; it is resistant to groundwater and other natural phenomena.

But in order to enjoy all the advantages of this material, it is necessary to put in a lot of labor effort that will be required to complete this work. They are distinguished by their massiveness, as well as their large size, compared to concrete structures, which, with a reinforced reinforcement frame, can withstand the same load.

The use of stone for a house is justified only if its price is significantly lower than the cost of a concrete foundation, otherwise the work will not make any sense, why waste a lot of energy and effort if there is no benefit. We must not forget that working with stone is much more difficult than constructing concrete structures. Before performing such work, it is necessary to assess your strengths and abilities in relation to performing this type of work.

Return to contents

Required materials and tools

During the work process, you will need the following materials and tools, which are prepared in advance:

Instrumentation: a – plumb line; b – square; c – roulette; g – folding meter.

  1. Stones of various shapes.
  2. Small crushed stone.
  3. Cement mortar.
  4. Chisel (sledgehammer).
  5. Hammer.
  6. Reinforced mesh (metal hooks).
  7. Glue.
  8. Sand.

If you follow the exact sequence, you can do the work yourself, although it is better to seek help from specialists to ensure a reliable foundation for future construction, because the foundation is the most important detail in any building. All materials are purchased in advance in the required quantities.

Return to contents

The process of laying stone in the foundation of a house

Rubble stone is used for laying both in trenches and in formwork. necessary only in cases where the soil crumbles. In this case, the use of roofing felt, roofing felt and other sheet and roll materials is allowed. It is important that the soil does not get inside the foundation, otherwise the adhesion of the stone to the mortar will be fragile.

Install below the level at which the soil freezes, this is especially true. This necessity is explained by the fact that a rubble foundation does not use a reinforcing mesh, and in case of severe frost, it is possible together with the soil. This fact applies to heaving and moisture-saturated soils; if the soil is dry, then to obtain sufficient strength the foundation is made no less than 50 cm. All these nuances are important to decide at the stage of projecting the building.

The technology for making a stone foundation is as follows. A sand cushion is created at the bottom of the trench. To create the first row, it is necessary to select stones with a more regular shape; for this you can use a chisel or sledgehammer. The laying is carried out with strong pressing into the sand to ensure stability of the position, because the resulting structure should not swing. The width of the foundation should be approximately 20 cm greater than the height.

Experienced experts recommend soaking the stone for an hour in water before use. The stone on the foundation for a house is saturated with moisture and adheres better to the cement mortar, and on the other hand, this allows you to clean the stone from excess particles. It is important to wait until the stone is completely dry before using.

Construction of blind areas: 1 – cement mortar; 2 – drainage ditch; 3 – broken brick; 4 – clay; 5 – soil; 6 – foundation.

To build a stone foundation for a house, you need to choose stones of the correct shape, especially to create the first rows (the desired shape is given with a chisel or sledgehammer).

All voids that will be formed between the stones must be filled with small stones, then the created structure is filled with liquid cement. A layer of cement-sand mortar is created at the top, on which the next row is installed.

It is important, when creating the masonry of a house, to select stones of such shape and size as to obtain as few gaps as possible. During the work, dressing must be observed (similar to brickwork), otherwise the entire structure will easily crumble, and such a foundation cannot be called strong.

All formed spaces are filled with fine crushed stone from the same stone that is used in construction. This action allows you to create a drainage layer necessary to drain water from the foundation.

If construction provides for the option of creating reinforcement, then the use of wire or a vertical rod is acceptable. In the case when the walls of the building will be made of heavy material (concrete blocks, brick), then it is advisable to make the upper part reinforced: a reinforced mesh is laid and everything is filled with mortar.

During the installation process, it is necessary to provide holes for ventilation, thereby preventing further use of the hammer drill.

In cases where the stone is not used to create the entire foundation of the house, but only to give it a rich and beautiful appearance, it is simply used to finish the outer (outer) layer. In this option, the stone is cut into flat tiles, which are glued to the foundation with glue. In cases where the stones are large and heavy, they are secured using metal hooks and reinforcing mesh.


There are a large number of projects for such buildings. There are practically no restrictions on the architectural forms of the building and its elements, or their design.

When building from stone, there are practically no restrictions on the architectural forms of the building and its elements, their design

The construction of a stone house itself has its own nuances.

  1. Masonry. Natural stone masonry is similar to brick. You also need to ensure that the dressing is performed correctly and reinforce the intersections of the walls. The only difference is that you will have to match the stones to each other. Therefore, it is better to use elements with a relatively smooth surface, and their most beautiful part should be displayed on the facade of the house. The easiest way is to select parts of hewn or split rubble. The voids between the elements must be filled with mortar and the seams finished. Proper installation requires experience. Doing it yourself is quite difficult.
  2. Installation of a natural stone foundation. Stone structures need a strong foundation. If you use stone (or its crumbs) when pouring the foundation, you will get a very strong foundation of the building, which will not require repairs in the future. He will not be afraid of temperature changes and groundwater.
  3. Insulation of walls. A house made of stone quickly loses heat. Therefore, additional wall insulation is definitely necessary. Its thickness and composition are calculated when drawing up the building design.

How to use stone in the exterior

This natural material is used to make not only houses, but also various additions to it: fences, paths, fountains, etc., maintaining a single style. Alternatively, you can use not a whole stone, but its crumbs and fragments.

Not only houses are made from natural stone, but also various additions to it.

Let's look at some exterior elements that are perfect for such a house:

  1. External fence. It is advisable to lay it out (or cover it) with the same material as the built house. The fence can be of any shape. A foundation is laid under it. The wrought iron fencing also looks great.
  2. Forged lanterns. Wrought iron lanterns on the site give the house a cozy and romantic look at night.
  3. Fruit trees. An orchard near the walls of a natural stone house adds a homely and cozy touch to the exterior.
  4. Stone paths. To design paths on the site, you can use small flat stones.
  5. Swimming pool and gazebo. They will perfectly complement the architectural appearance of the house.
  6. White trim on doors and porch. The snow-white trim of door and window openings, as well as the porch, goes perfectly with such walls. Living plants in tubs or beautiful flower beds can complement the picture.

In the interior of the house

Fireplaces are often a traditional part of stone houses.

This material is suitable for any interior style. It is used to make: vases, statues, candlesticks, lamps, fountains, etc. The stone columns and stairs look colorful.

Often, residents of natural stone houses order stone countertops and window sills. They are made of marble, quartz or onyx. There are stone sinks for sale in the kitchen or bathroom. Combinations of stone with wood or iron also fit into the general concept.

Fireplace

Fireplaces are often a traditional part of such houses. It is not only a decoration, but also a source of heat. His household often gathers on cold winter evenings for tea and conversation.

Stone oven

The large stone stove on the open veranda also looks stylish.

A large stone stove, decorated with an elegant forged grate and decorated with a woodpile, also looks stylish. The interior and exterior of such a building are a place of interesting design ideas and finds. Nothing protects your home from the external environment like stone. This natural material is not afraid of either water or fire. Therefore, stone houses will be built at all times.

Design Features

What is a stone foundation? This is the foundation of the house, built from natural stone; the voids in it are filled with fine crushed stone, and cement-sand mortar is used for adhesion. Experts say that such a supporting structure is several times stronger and more durable than a conventional strip foundation.

The peculiarity of the structure is that natural stone cannot be divided into certain categories depending on the shape and size of individual elements. The level of strength does not depend on the shape of the stones used to build a natural stone foundation. Rubble stone is used in the construction of one- and two-story buildings:

  • spending a minimum of financial resources;
  • without using construction equipment;
  • without needing the help of highly qualified specialists.

Another positive feature that distinguishes natural stone is its visual appeal and aesthetics. A plinth made of cobblestones does not need to be plastered, which reduces material and physical costs.

Constructing a stone foundation makes sense on various types of soil:

  • loamy;
  • sandy;
  • clayey.

Most often, when constructing the foundation for a house, rubble stone or cobblestones are used.

In such conditions, the service life of the building is at least 50 years, which largely depends on the quality of the foundation stones.

The use of rubble stone for the construction of foundations in areas rich in this natural material is justified. This is due not only to a significant reduction in material costs, but also to the characteristics of the soil, which is characterized by increased strength in such places.

In order to strengthen the structure, reinforcing components are used, which are introduced into the base itself before pouring the cement mortar. In this case, the structure will serve for a long time without requiring additional maintenance. When choosing a stone, it is enough to check its strength using a regular hammer or sledgehammer.

Time costs are associated with the preparation of elements. Each stone will have to be thoroughly cleaned of any contaminants and additionally washed with water to ensure a high-quality bond of the cement mortar with the structural elements.

The use of limestone should be abandoned, as it is not very durable.

Selection of stones and preparatory work

The choice of stones for the foundation is based on their strength characteristics, and the size is adjusted during the work process. Fractions that are too large are broken up, and small ones are used to fill voids and create a cushion. Minimal time is required to prepare the cobblestone, but if you have to work with the so-called white stone, then as much attention as possible should be paid to its preparation.

The stone should not:

  • crumble;
  • dust;
  • crumble under the blows of a hammer into many small pieces.

The most important procedure in the preparation process is plinting. Large stones weighing more than 30 kg will need to be broken into at least 2-3 parts. The technology is simple, but labor-intensive. To begin with, the stones are cleaned and washed, pouring plenty of water on them, then, after waiting for them to dry, they use a painter’s cord to mark a line along which to split it, and only after that do they drive a chisel into the depths of the block.

Only fragments that correspond to the markings can be used as foundation elements for a house. Crushed stones are not used in the work.

High-quality elements under hammer blows will be divided into separate fractions of the required parameters. Not only the size is important, but also the weight of each broken piece. If the shape is not of great importance, then the weight of each stone should not exceed 30 kg. Having received the required number of components, you can begin preparing the land:

  1. Clearing, during which it is necessary to get rid of excess vegetation, especially trees and bushes.
  2. Carry out markings according to the approved design, paying special attention to the corners. Deviation from the value of 900 will lead to distortion and cracking of the structure.
  3. Marking the outer boundaries of the foundation and stretching parallel strings at a distance corresponding to the width of the future base tape. This parameter should be 10 cm higher than the actual thickness of the tape, since the height (thickness) of the formwork panels that will be installed in the trench is taken into account.

Having completed the preparatory part, you can begin to carry out excavation work and assemble the formwork.

Work order

When starting to build a foundation for a house using rubble stone or cobblestones, it is necessary to prepare trenches, the minimum width of which will be 70 cm, and the depth will be at least 80 cm. In each specific area, this figure is different, since it depends on the depth of soil freezing. After installing the formwork and creating the cushion, these values ​​will change. Sand is poured into a 15 cm layer at the bottom of the prepared trench, spilled with water and compacted. On top of it is gravel or fine crushed stone.

This layer is also subject to pouring and compaction. This is a necessary cushion for the foundation, playing the role of high-quality drainage. After its construction, they begin to assemble the formwork structure:

  1. From boards with a thickness of at least 3 cm (preferably 5 cm), shields are knocked down, the height of which corresponds to this parameter of the base.
  2. The finished panels are installed on both sides of the trench, fastened together with transverse jumpers and reinforced with supports made of lumber.
  3. As waterproofing, roofing felt or other rolled material can be used, parts of which are laid overlapping with an overlap of at least 5 cm.
  4. The prepared rubble stone must be thoroughly wetted with water so that in the future it does not absorb moisture from the cement mortar.

Elements of the future structure are laid, leaving small gaps between the stones. The solution should flow here, completely filling the voids.

When laying rows, you must follow the order. The first row is placed on the short side (butt side), the voids are filled with crushed stone and compacted. Only after this do they begin laying the second row.

The second row of stone is spoon. This means that all the stones are placed on the long side, taking care to maintain the distance between them. Having completed the process, all elements are filled with liquid cement-sand mortar. At this stage, reinforcing rods with a diameter of 10-12 mm are installed between the stones to strengthen the structure.

The last row of stones is filled with concrete with less water in the composition and must be compacted using a vibrator. You can study the sequence of work in detail by watching the video.

When laying rubble stone when building a foundation for a house, you can alternate between spoon and tie rows, pouring liquid concrete over them and filling the voids with fine crushed stone or stone fragments. It is possible to build a high-quality, reliable and durable foundation by ensuring its correct installation. The stones must stand firmly and not wobble. During the construction of the foundation, it is imperative to check not only the horizontality, but also the verticality of the corners.

The simplest and cheapest stone foundation

The easiest way to make a foundation for a house is to make a trench from crushed stone. Such a foundation, of course, is not suitable for every type of soil and not for every building, but for a wooden house, garage or bathhouse it is quite applicable. In addition, you should not use such a support in case of swampy or peaty soil at the construction site. large floods or increased soil flowability.

Work order

The production of such a base is carried out manually, without the use of special equipment; it is possible to perform the work even alone:


  • The walls and bottom are carefully leveled using a regular shovel, and if necessary, the soil is compacted. As a result, you should have smooth, clean ditches of the same width and depth;
  • The largest stones are laid on the bottom first, after which the first row is filled with medium and fine crushed stone;
  • Supports for the walls of the future building are installed simultaneously with the filling of the trench. To do this, the pillars are covered with large boulders and additionally sprinkled with smaller components, followed by obligatory compaction;
  • At this stage it is also worth thinking about the drainage system and underground communications. Even if the house design does not plan to use these systems, it is better to lay several pipes so that you can later connect to them;
  • For drainage, you can use a pipe running along the bottom of the trench and having access to the drainage well.
    Additionally, to protect the base from moisture, you can make a long overhang for the roof with properly arranged gutters;
  • Try to make the installation as dense as possible; to do this, manually fill all the voids with suitable stones;
  • The closer to the surface, the smaller the stone you can use. In this case, it is possible to use not only natural wild stone, but also fragments of asphalt, concrete blocks and similar construction waste. You should not use metal structures as additional filler; they are quickly destroyed by corrosion, which leads to deformation of the base;
  • The last stage of the work will be the arrangement of a gentle slope away from the house, which can be made from soil taken from a dug trench.

    Detailed diagram for installing a drainage system

    Summarizing all of the above, if you plan to build a structure in an area with a large content of stones and dense soil (and most often the presence of stone inclusions guarantees sufficient soil hardness), then a crushed stone trench is your option.

    Features of the construction of a rubble foundation

    The technology for making a rubble foundation requires a more thorough approach to its construction:


    A rubble stone foundation can be used on a wide variety of soils, with the exception of very heaving soils. This type of base is resistant to moisture, so it is used in areas with a high risk of flooding.

    You can make a tape from rubble. columnar and strip-column foundations, however, the last two types are extremely labor-intensive due to the need to select suitable stones for laying.

    Other types of stone foundation

    Stone foundations can also include brick foundations, but the use of this material is unprofitable due to its high cost.

    One type of stone foundation

    Although if you have the opportunity to purchase high-quality material at a low price, the use is quite justified.

    In addition, you can give the base the appearance of a stone foundation by using plinth cladding. In this case, you will not only get an attractive appearance of the structure, but also add rigidity to the structure as a whole, and also provide additional protection for the foundation.

    To finish the basement of a building, you can use more expensive materials such as marble or granite, but a more affordable option with a budget price has gained the most popularity. In this case, rubble stone is used, followed by treatment with a special compound.

    Another option for making an imaginary stone foundation is to use slabs made of natural stone. The finishing technology of these two types of facing material differs due to the different weight of raw materials.

    Original foundation made of red natural stone

    Cladding the base with rubble

    Before starting to decorate a building with any decorative material, it is necessary to wait until the house settles; this also applies to facing with rubble stone. For old houses, the main preparation for finishing is removing the old coating and thoroughly grouting the surface.

    If necessary, at this stage you can perform additional insulation of the base:

    • A layer of plaster is applied to the base to level the surface and wait until it dries completely;
    • After which it makes sense to prime the surface in 2-3 layers to strengthen the finishing material. The best option would be to use an antiseptic primer against mold and fungi, this will extend the life of the finish;
    • On top of the primed plaster, sheets of insulation are fixed to special dowels, which are also treated with a special primer;
    • A reinforcing mesh is placed over the insulation, which will be the basis for attaching the decorative element;
    • If there is no special need for insulation, the surface is covered only with concrete contact with a coarse fraction.

    Rubble stone laying technology

    First of all, it is better to select stones that are suitable in size, shape and color; later this will save you from sorting during the work process.

    In principle, cladding with natural stone is very similar to laying conventional tiles, with adjustments for non-standard shapes of stones.

    An example of decorative cladding for a stone foundation

    After applying such cladding, only a professional builder will guess that the foundation is not made of stone.

    Covering the base with natural stone slabs

    As a rule, this type of material has quite a noticeable weight, so in rare cases it is permissible to attach it only to a solution. When using this method, a special reinforcing mesh must be placed on top of the base, which will ensure reliable fastening of the slabs to the surface.

    Basically, special anchors or fasteners are used for fastening, which are installed during the process of laying the panels on the mortar.

    In this case, it is mandatory to tie each finishing element to the base.

    1. Fasteners are special hooks made of stainless steel, and each plate requires at least two fasteners on top and bottom. To install them, holes are punched in the natural stone slabs into which the hook is inserted, while the second part must be mounted into the base.
    2. When installing fasteners in slabs, it is necessary to cut out grooves so that the hook does not protrude beyond the surface of the panel.

    Scheme for installing foundation cladding slabs

  • The hooks themselves are strengthened in the body of the slab using an adhesive solution.
  • Additionally, the slabs themselves are secured to each other with similar hooks.
  • The laying of natural stone slabs begins from the corners of the building; all the rest are oriented along the slabs of the bottom row. All other activities for finishing the base are carried out as in previous cases.
  • This simple method allows you to give the visible part of the foundation a presentable appearance with a minimum of costs for purchasing consumables; do not forget about additional protection of the base from environmental influences.

    Natural stone foundation

    In the old days, they also knew how to build, so why not use similar technologies for independent construction, and make a foundation from natural stone. This type of foundation for a house is characterized by a reduced cost, and when the technology is implemented, it is not inferior in strength to monolithic concrete foundations.

    Natural or wild stone is probably the only material that can safely be called eternal. Natural stone is strong, wear-resistant, durable, and can withstand large temperature changes. All these parameters were formed by nature itself over many years, i.e. natural stone (rubble) does not have internal stresses or weak molecular structure, because for all the existing “shortcomings” it has already split. That is why rubble is considered an eternal material, because its maximum destruction is superficial.

    The use of natural stone in construction

    The unique aesthetic qualities of natural stone allow it to be used not only as the main building material, but also as a decorative and protective coating. They are used to line walls, paths, lawns and even individual architectural structures.

    At the same time, it is not necessary to go to a quarry to equip your home from natural materials, because today many companies process natural stone for absolutely any purpose, i.e. different models and sizes. Natural stone is processed mechanically, and in rare cases by fire, without forming compounds harmful to health, so it is absolutely environmentally safe.

    Natural stone is processed into cut, chipped or rolled tiles and bricks, while large boulders are used as supports, bases, fillers or piece goods in the construction of walls. foundation. fireplaces. and even “rock gardens”. Moreover, from the point of view of the design approach, wild stone goes well with metal, glass, and wood, i.e. This is a universal material, both structural and facing.

    DIY natural stone foundation

    It is quite possible to make a foundation made of natural stone yourself, and such an undertaking will not be so expensive, but the most difficult task is finding a suitable rubble and delivering it to the construction site, which is why many builders use the services of specialized companies.

    Having decided to make a foundation with your own hands from wild stone, first of all you need to decide on the manufacturing technology:

    Concrete casting of the foundation filled with natural stone - this technology allows the use of reinforcement of the base, which increases its operational parameters.

    A distinctive feature of the technology is the ability to use different-sized stones of any shape, which simplifies and speeds up the construction process.

    1. The casting process is not very different from monolithic concrete, but has some features:

    Be sure to provide a bedding base of coarse-grained material: crushed stone, pebbles, rubble chips or construction waste.

    Formwork with waterproof walls is mandatory. The formwork should not intensively remove moisture so that the cement has time to mix properly and harden, and not dry out. Why is the formwork covered with polymer film? This operation should be taken seriously, because... natural stone will also intensively remove moisture.

    Before using wild stone, it must be soaked for about an hour, which leads to surface saturation with water and excellent cleansing from crumbling particles. Please note that you should not soak the stone longer, because... its mass increases significantly, which complicates its use; in addition, excessive saturation of the rocky structure leads to “rejection” of the cement mortar.

    When reinforcing a foundation made of wild stone, to facilitate the laying of stones, only vertical reinforcing bars and a lower layer of horizontal dressing are installed. As the foundation is cast, horizontal reinforcement is added.

    The stones are laid in layers, i.e. their first layer laid is filled with concrete with an excess of 5-7 cm, then a new layer of stones is laid with light pressure to sink them into the solution. Attention! Do not press hard on the stones, because... They themselves are immersed in the solution under their own weight, and the stones should not lie on top of each other; between them there must be a layer of cement-sand mortar at least 1 cm thick.

    You can use different sized natural stones for the foundation, but try to lay them so that horizontal planes are formed, so practice with puzzles will help in this operation.

    2. Features of laying rubble stone in the foundation:

    Laying natural stone into the foundation is done directly into the trench, i.e. the dug trench is filled with coarse bedding with compaction, and the walls laid out in it are only 2-5 cm smaller in size. This gap must be filled with rubble chips, which ensures excellent drainage from the foundation.

    For foundation masonry made of natural stone, it is better to use more or less one-dimensional stones of oblong shape. The masonry itself is carried out according to the general laws of dressing, and it is advisable to make smoother horizontal lines. The thickness of the solution layer should not be less than 1 cm.

    Stones for laying also need to be soaked, but before installing them they must dry out superficially so that the laid row does not float.

    And finally, a few tricks for working with natural stone:

    It is better to prepare the cement-sand mixture on fine sandstone, because inclusion of small stones does not allow complete squeezing out of the solution.

    You should not be afraid of clay admixtures in the solution, because it retains moisture well, which means the seams will crack less.

    Fill large voids between stones with small fragments, thus saving mortar.

    How to make a rubble stone foundation with your own hands?

    Rubble is a strip (column) foundation built from large-sized natural stone filled with cement mortar.

    Rubble, unlike construction crushed stone and gravel, is not divided into fractions. Therefore, it contains pieces ranging in size from 15 to 50 cm of various shapes. The best is considered to be a “bedded” rubble, which is easy to distinguish by its relatively flat and wide lower and upper edges.

    A foundation made of such stone is built quite quickly and does not require sorting or chopping. Unfortunately, bedded bud is quite rare.

    Most often, natural stone is extracted from rocks using an explosive method, so its pieces have an irregular shape.

    Despite the labor-intensive installation, foundations made of rubble stone still remain popular due to their low cost and high structural strength. Compared to a strip foundation made of concrete blocks, it costs 2-3 times less. Working with rubble stone does not require high qualifications, so even a beginner can make a reliable foundation for a house from it.

    Another advantage that a rubble foundation gives is the beauty of natural stone. If you make not only an underground part of it, but also a base, then you won’t have to spend time and money on finishing it with tiles or plaster.

    The reliability of a rubble foundation depends not only on the strength of the stone and mortar, but also on the bearing capacity of the base. On subsidence and heaving soils, rubble foundations without reinforcement with reinforcement should not be built. On coarse sand, dense loam and clay, it will last at least 100 years without major repairs.

    Nowadays, rubble foundations are erected for low-rise residential buildings (up to 2 floors) and outbuildings, although in cities brick “five-story buildings” have stood on them for more than half a century.

    When buying a stone, you need to pay attention to its size (optimal for laying 20-30 cm). The material must be clean (free of soil and dirt), durable (withstand a compressive load of at least 1000 kg/cm2) and free of cracks. The best stone is granite or basalt; limestone is the worst choice for masonry.

    Device Features

    Since rubble is a large-sized stone, you will not be able to make a foundation less than 35 centimeters wide from it. Please take this point into account before starting excavation work. The optimal width of the rubble “ribbon” (the stone is laid in two parallel rows) is 45-55 cm.

    To prevent seasonal ground fluctuations from destroying the masonry, a “cushion” consisting of a layer of sand and a layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the trench. Its thickness after compaction should be within 15-20 cm.

    The rubble foundation is buried in the ground below the seasonal freezing mark to eliminate the effects of frost heaving forces.

    If work is carried out in dense soil, then there is no need to install panel formwork in the trench. In this case, the foundation is made using the “by surprise” technology, laying the rubble close to the walls of the trench.

    The classic laying of a rubble foundation is done in layers. Before laying the first layer, experts recommend laying thick polyethylene on the sand bed. It will prevent cement laitance from leaving the solution and reducing its strength. The rubble is placed in two parallel lines, leaving a gap of 3-5 cm between the stones for pouring the solution. The top row is laid with the bottom row bandaged: the stones should overlap the bottom seams.

    To prepare a strong pouring solution, use fresh cement grade M-500. The proportion is selected in the following ratio: 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. The consistency should be creamy for good penetration into the seams.

    Before laying, the stones need to be slightly moistened with water. This will remove dust and improve adhesion to the solution.

    Methods for pouring a foundation

    Filling is done in one of two ways: direct and reverse. The direct option is to first spread a layer of mortar of such thickness that the rubble is recessed in it at ½ of its height. In the reverse method, the first layer of rubble is filled with a solution that completely covers the stone. Then a new row is placed on it.

    It should be noted that the direct method is better than the reverse. It creates fewer air cavities that reduce the strength of the foundation.

    Important note: when laying stone, do not forget to immediately make technological holes in it for the passage of water and sewer pipes. This will save you the time-consuming task of punching and drilling holes in solid stone.

    In problematic soils, it is necessary to strengthen the rubble foundation with a horizontal reinforcement belt of 4-6 rods with a cross-section of 14-18 mm. They are laid at the bottom of the trench, embedded in a layer of mortar 5-7 cm thick. After hardening, laying begins two days later. A volumetric reinforcement cage is not suitable for a rubble foundation, since it does not allow the stone to be laid tightly.

    Another way to protect a rubble foundation from ground vibrations is a widened base. To do this, the width of the trench must be equal to the width of the supporting base. It is laid in exactly the same way as the main part of the foundation. After completion of the work, backfill the side sinuses, compacting the soil layer by layer.

    In order to make the rubble concrete foundation perfectly level for laying the walls, a mortar or concrete screed 5-10 cm thick is poured over the top. It hides the protruding parts of the stone and strengthens the foundation. If there is doubt about the strength and stability of the soil, the top screed should be reinforced with reinforcement. This will absorb tensile stresses from rising soil and protect the foundation from cracks.

    It should be said that rubble concrete is a good material not only for strip concrete. but also for a columnar foundation for a building. It is much simpler and easier to dig several holes around the perimeter of the house below the freezing mark of the soil than to dig a continuous strip into it and fill it with stones.

    The load-bearing capacity of rubble pillars is no less, and labor costs are significantly lower. Fill the columnar supports 10-15 cm above the ground surface, make a connecting grillage of reinforced concrete over them and lay the walls.

    Rubble stone practically does not absorb moisture, but water from the ground rises along the mortar joints. Therefore, in any case, the foundation must be properly waterproofed with 2 layers of roofing material or coated with bitumen mastic along the upper cut.

    Concrete blind area is an important part of the overall system for protecting the foundation from precipitation. Its width should be at least 80 centimeters with a thickness of 12 to 8 cm.

    This material was used to build houses thousands of years ago. Neither concrete, nor FBS blocks, nor brick, created relatively recently, can boast of quality that has been proven over such a long time. The most interesting thing is that various buildings built on rubble stone still stand today. Agree, this inspires considerable confidence.

    But, besides reliability, there are a number of factors influencing the choice. This includes the price, the use of other materials, and the ability to create a foundation from rubble stone with your own hands. Let's look at all this in more detail.

    Rubble foundations are often chosen for private houses with 1 - 2 floors and outbuildings. In addition to them, you can also find five-story buildings built on such a foundation.

    About the material, its advantages and disadvantages

    What is this wild stone? Essentially, it is an irregularly shaped cobblestone that is the result of the mining of dolomite, limestone and sandstone. One such piece can reach up to 500 mm in size and weigh up to 50 kg.

    Like any material, rubble stone has its pros and cons. Let's start with the advantages:

    1. Environmental friendliness. No impurities are added to the rubble, as can be done with concrete mixture or clay;
    2. Aesthetics. The foundation made of natural rubble stone looks beautiful, which is important for those who build a foundation above the surface level;
    3. Low price value. The same concrete costs an order of magnitude more;
    4. Possibility of carrying out work without the involvement of equipment. For example, FBS requires a minimum winch. And the concrete is completely mixed and pumped with special machines. It is quite possible to create stonework by hand;
    5. Strength. If brick is chosen for light buildings, then stone can withstand more serious buildings;
    6. No fear of temperature changes. Such a foundation is not destroyed by sudden cold weather or sudden warming;
    7. Durability. A rubble foundation can last for a century and a half.

    Now let's talk about the disadvantages. There are few of them:

    1. Work is carried out exclusively by hand. On the one hand, you can create a stone foundation with your own hands, on the other hand, technology is not a help here;
    2. Time costs. It will take a long time to tinker here;
    3. The need to prepare the bottle, which also takes a lot of time.

    The stone must be of high quality, otherwise there may be serious problems.

    The first step is to check the material for defects such as cracks and delaminations - there should be none. Next, you should strike with a hammer: if you hear a ringing sound, and the same defects do not appear on the stone, it is suitable. You can also split the bottle, but it should not become dusty or crushed.

    Preparatory and initial work

    From the pros and cons we move on to the work itself. Before creating a rubble foundation, it must be washed. Here you need to stock up on both time and patience. One can only imagine how long it will take to wash each stone. But there is no way without this, because otherwise the concrete mixture will not bond with the rubble as it should, and this can lead to destruction of the base.

    Stones for the future foundation weighing more than 30 kg also need to be “plinting”, that is, split into smaller parts. This is done like this:

    1. The split line is marked with a pencil.
    2. take a nylon rope and press it into a piece of chalk.
    3. the intended rope is pulled over the intended line and sharply dropped onto the stone. This leaves a clearly drawn line on the surface.
    4. A chisel is placed on the line and driven with a hammer using elbow strikes. Next, the tool is placed each time at an angle along the mark; It should be hit with shoulder blows.

    It’s even better if there is a seam running along the stone into which you can insert a chisel. Then the rubble splits along the crack. Now let's move on to creating the base itself. The creation of rubble (as well as any other) foundations begins with digging a trench or pit (strictly according to a correctly created plan, otherwise the efforts, which are already considerable, may be in vain). In order for everything to match later, you must first make markings on the surface, and only then excavate the soil.

    You can create more than one type of base from natural stone. We will tell you how a rubble strip foundation is built, since this design is more popular than others. Therefore, at this stage we are digging a trench. Now you need to create a sand cushion at its bottom. Backfilling of sand is carried out in layers, each layer is carefully compacted.

    Laying can be done on a pillow. But it’s better to put layers of roofing material on the bottom (overlapping). They will not allow cement laitance to leave the solution, and will then act as waterproofing.

    Let's not forget to mention the solution. To do this, you need to take fresh cement M-500 and three times more sand. The consistency should resemble sour cream - then the solution penetrates well into the seams.

    Construction

    We proceed directly to laying the stone. You will not find any single step-by-step instructions, since there is more than one technology for creating a foundation from rubble. More precisely, there are three of them: “under the bay”, “spatula” and “bracket”. Each of them has its own characteristics and - in our case - the right to consideration.

    You probably noticed that in the preliminary work there is no clause about creating formwork. The fact is that it is not required in all cases. So, in the case of “under the blade” masonry, it is needed only when a smooth foundation surface is needed - for example, for finishing or to strengthen the foundation (and this is important when it is created independently). But formwork is always done “for pouring”.

    Before telling you how to make a foundation using all these technologies, you need to mention one more detail. The long side of the stone is called the spoon, and the short side is called the poke. These names are found both in conversations and in articles.

    Now let's move on to the methods. As we already said, there are only three of them. There is nothing complicated about them; upon closer examination this will become clear. So, let's begin.

    "Under the shoulder blade"

    Here the work is carried out as follows:

    1. First, the bonded row is laid dry.
    2. The stones are compacted, the voids between them are filled with rubble.
    3. The row is filled with mortar.
    4. The bond row is laid. Its thickness, like the previous one, is approximately 30 cm. The height must also be observed: it should be approximately the same.

    In any method, the stones should not touch each other.

    "Under the Bay"

    As already mentioned, in this case formwork is required. Here the size of the buta is not so important. This method is not often chosen, since such a foundation has rather low strength. Therefore, fences are often erected on them, or, at most, light frame baths. The technology looks like this:

    1. The bond row is laid, crushed, compacted and filled with mortar (75% sand and 25% cement, that is, 3: 1).
    2. The spoon row is laid, then all procedures are repeated.
    3. The top layer is poured with approximately half a meter (from 40 to 60 cm) layer of the mixture with a cone draft of up to 6 cm and compacted until the solution can penetrate into the masonry.

    If you are laying under a flood, consider renting a vibratory compactor. Its use increases the strength of the base to approximately 40%.

    "Under the bracket"

    There is no point in dwelling on this technology in particular detail, since it is similar to the “under the shoulder blade” method. The only thing is that in this case the size and shape of the stones should be almost the same. Such a foundation will be more expensive and take more time. Therefore, elements such as piers and pillars are made “under the bracket”.

    In many cases, suture dressing must be observed. Rubble masonry “under the bay” does not require this. Filling the voids is also important: otherwise water can get into them and destroy the structure.

    Rubble concrete structure

    This base is slightly different from the previous one. The main advantage of this option is that the structure can be strengthened using reinforcement frames. A rubble concrete strip foundation is created as follows:

    1. A 15 cm layer is poured. It needs to be left for a while so that it sets well enough.
    2. The formwork is being created. There are some peculiarities here: for example, reinforcing beams are installed with great frequency.
    3. A second layer 25 cm thick is poured on top. The stones are sunk into it (about half). This layer should not have sharp corners that could damage the waterproofing.
    4. Again, a concrete layer of the same thickness is poured, the mixture is pressed until the bubbles disappear. Then the stones are sunk in the same way.
    5. The stages are repeated until a rubble concrete foundation of the required height is created. The final layer of concrete should cover all the stones. Now you need to leave the base to dry. If work is carried out in the summer, the structure must be covered with something (for example, a tarpaulin) and watered from time to time. It takes approximately 4 weeks to dry. After this, you can begin pouring the leveling screed. That's it, the creation of a small-scale rubble concrete foundation is ready.

    A rubble concrete foundation requires a mixture created in approximately the following proportions: crushed stone - 5 parts, sand - 3, cement - 1. By the way, bandaging is not required here.