Thread: Monolithic slab and footings?

They don't do floating slabs because they do ring beam and post.
End of, simple.

Lacking concrete pumping kit to do core filled blockwork at load bearing points it's just easier.

Originally Posted by JBaker

Can someone please tell me why slab on footing isn't done in Thailand

Because they don't know how to do it.

Because that is not what everyone else does. They do not like to stray from the norm.

I thought the Thai style was better in an area where the movement of land was unstable ie Thailand. The post style being able to stand more ground movement without damage.

Thus in areas prone to large movement in USA they adopt the post style also.

Surely the thai's are stupid is an easier explanation?

Originally Posted by Iceman123

I thought the Thai style was better in an area where the movement of land was unstable ie Thailand. The post style being able to stand more ground movement without damage.

Thus in areas prone to large movement in USA they adopt the post style also.

I'm not aware of anywhere in the US where post and beam is used for new homes without a perimeter foundation. If soil movement means expansive soils which expand and contract with wet and dry (clay soils) then the footings are dug deeper where moisture is more constant. Also of course a timed sprinkler system will help with that as will good gutters and downspouts which carry rainwater away from the house.

But in the end what I see Thais doing is to trying to get deep enough to either find non-expansive soil, or an even level of soil moisture, or both. An excavator or backhoe can do that in no time.

If you grab a handful of soil and wet it and then knead it, if it's clay it will stick together and if it's non-expansive it will still fall apart.

As for a concrete pump it's nice but isn't necessary. Concrete wants to flow out and enough guys with wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels can make short work of it. Somehow as it is, they pour the slab.

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

Originally Posted by JBaker

Can someone please tell me why slab on footing isn't done in Thailand

Because they don't know how to do it.

Well...perhaps they do.
But the assumed quality might not be up to par.

concrete post and beam seems to me a great way to build...why not ask why the west does not use this method? Probably a lot to do with the cost of concrete or maybe stud walls keep the logging industry happy.
The poly sheet would be a good idea methinks to help stop bug invasion...heat and wicking ...bit optimistic on the heat front .
....wicking happens in Thailand I expect but it is so humid most of the time that not sure a vapor barrier would make any discernible difference......many houses have tiled floors which hopefully get washed with water once in while ...soaking downward??

Remember the damp course in brick houses in UK etc...stopped the wallpaper peeling off sometimes...55

I wasn't thinking about stud walls. This is done with brick or block walls just as often. It's used even for large commercial buildings. Rebar is stuck into it at intervals which will fit into the blocks and then at least a couple of courses are grouted.

The vapor barrier isn't about relative humidity or mopping floors. It's about stopping wicking from ground moisture so that the floor can actually be dry most of the time and not add to the humidity in the house 24/7.

Oh well. I'm sure the Thai way is the best way, LOL, and that something which wouldn't meet code in a Western country is still best because TiT.

Monkey see, monkey do. If they ain't seen it, they don't do it. I pointed out to my builder once on how I wanted the job done. Even showed him a picture drawing on my computer. Never made an ounce of difference, he did it the Thai way.

Didn't you know that all farangs are stupid fuckwits? What's wrong with you?

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Didn't you know that all farangs are stupid fuckwits? What's wrong with you?

LOL.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Monkey see, monkey do. If they ain't seen it, they don't do it. I pointed out to my builder once on how I wanted the job done. Even showed him a picture drawing on my computer. Never made an ounce of difference, he did it the Thai way.

Wow.
Sounds as if you didn't have too much supervisorial control over the building of your house.

I certainly would never turn my back on a Thai contractor. Watchdog is the clarion of the day.

....and if they don't understand nor care to follow out your instructions, find someone that will.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Wow.
Sounds as if you didn't have too much supervisorial control over the building of your house.
I certainly would never turn my back on a Thai contractor. Watchdog is the clarion of the day.
....and if they don't understand nor care to follow out your instructions, find someone that will.

I wouldn't be so hard on him thaimeme. It sounds typical. We all can't, or don't want to, look over their shoulders all day, every day. And if we don't/won't, it's just going to happen. I'd like to hear from anyone who's never had that happen once during their build. I know it's happened at least a few times in mine (so far).

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Sounds as if you didn't have too much supervisorial control over the building of your house.

It wasn't on my house but an outbuilding. They spent about 5 days building it . After building my neighbour came round and asked me to go clean up all the rubbish my builders men had lobbed over the wall. It took 2 wheelbarrow loads to clear up and contained 9 whiskey bottles. And I thought I had kept an eye on them. Twats.

Originally Posted by crepitas

concrete post and beam seems to me a great way to build...why not ask why the west does not use this method? Probably a lot to do with the cost of concrete or maybe stud walls keep the logging industry happy.
The poly sheet would be a good idea methinks to help stop bug invasion...heat and wicking ...bit optimistic on the heat front .
....wicking happens in Thailand I expect but it is so humid most of the time that not sure a vapor barrier would make any discernible difference......many houses have tiled floors which hopefully get washed with water once in while ...soaking downward??

Remember the damp course in brick houses in UK etc...stopped the wallpaper peeling off sometimes...55

Superbloc only marginally more when alow speed of build ease of conduits chase in pipes electris(cut n cover)

Also big bonus,on top of huge heat thermal transfer benefits is soundproof aggainst soi dogs speakervan twats and fireproof,wouldnt dream of using anything else in this climate

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Sounds as if you didn't have too much supervisorial control over the building of your house.

It wasn't on my house but an outbuilding. They spent about 5 days building it . After building my neighbour came round and asked me to go clean up all the rubbish my builders men had lobbed over the wall. It took 2 wheelbarrow loads to clear up and contained 9 whiskey bottles. And I thought I had kept an eye on them. Twats.

I'm sorry for that...
A long-time pet peve of mine.

Their indifference and carelessness of leaving their mess, unnecessarily.

I've done this a few times myself, and insist that they clean up as they go or when finished - take the shit away, it's part of the responsibility of the job.

I've butted heads [proverbial] with contractors, labourers, family, neighbors who consider this to be common practice and mai phen rai it off - written in their DNA disposition.

Not just a contractor thing, but a Thai thing.
Don't clean up after themselves, don't put things back where they belong, indifferent to orderly conduct, etc....

I'm firm. If you don't care for my simple policy, I will find someone else that will adhere.

The reason we used slab and column foundation was that we wanted the floor level to be about a metre above ground level against any local flooding. We have a ring beam and slab at about one metre above ground level, and the space below the ring beam was filled with brickwork. The slab was poured on the earth infill. No crawl space.

Originally Posted by pominasia

The reason we used slab and column foundation was that we wanted the floor level to be about a metre above ground level against any local flooding. We have a ring beam and slab at about one metre above ground level, and the space below the ring beam was filled with brickwork. The slab was poured on the earth infill. No crawl space.

If you look at the picture in my OP you'll see that they too have filled about a meter above grade. Then they dug the foundation ditches back to grade.

Being in a Western country that fill would have had to have been compacted to 90% at 10% moisture. They would either have needed to put it down in 6 inch (about 1/6 mtr) lifts and hit it with a vibratory roller each lift, or water jetted it and let it drain well.

I would guess the reason they lifted it is because it's a commercial building and they plan to put down at least 1 foot (about 1/3 mtr) of crushed rock and compact that, and then pave over the top. That would need slope away from the building for drainage into a catch basin which would be connected to the storm drain.

Originally Posted by pominasia

the space below the ring beam was filled with brickwork. The slab was poured on the earth infill. No crawl space.

Hopefully you'll never have problems with your underfloor services. I have the same build as you but I left the space empty for that purpose. Plus it's great place to store and season wood etc and acts as a waterproof membrane.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by pominasia

the space below the ring beam was filled with brickwork. The slab was poured on the earth infill. No crawl space.

Hopefully you'll never have problems with your underfloor services. I have the same build as you but I left the space empty for that purpose. Plus it's great place to store and season wood etc and acts as a waterproof membrane.

And a wonderful habitat for snakes, spiders, scorpions, centipedes....

^ Never had a problem.

Originally Posted by Necron99

And a wonderful habitat for snakes, spiders, scorpions, centipedes....

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

^ Never had a problem.

Seriously, how do keep them out?