DESIGN OF INSULATED FOUNDATIONS

Traditionally, frost heave of foundations has been avoided by placing the foundations below frost penetration depth. An alternate and, under certain conditions, a more economical method is to place the foundations on or near the ground surface, and isolate the surrounding and underlying soil from seasonal frost activity. Such as approach reduces the cost of excavation and backfill, and reduces the volume of concrete needed for normal foundations. A method is presented for determining the thickness and width of the insulation needed. The design guides may be used for both heated and unheated structures. The method is based on a theoretical and preactical study carried out by the writers on actual insulated foundations used for industrial buildings near Timmins, Ontario, Canada.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Robinsky, E I
  • Bespflug, K E
• Publication Date: 1973-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 649-667
• Serial:
  • Journal of Soil Mechanics & Foundations Div
  • Volume: 99
  • Issue Number: SM9

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economics; Electric insulating materials; Foundations; Frost heaving; Insulating materials; Methodology; Thickness; Width
• Old TRIS Terms: Frost heave
• Subject Areas: Economics; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080632
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proc. Paper 10009
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 11 1975 12:00AM