sandbag house foundation ?

[emiliozapata]

hello all, looking for some feedback on the plans i am developing for a sandbag house. My foundation will consist of a two foot rubble trench to grade level with a boxed frame concrete pour on top of the rubble trench using 1 x 12's, the question i have is how deep will i need to go with the rubble trench foundation, the location will be michigan . I was thinking 4 feet but wonder if i could get by with 3 feet as this will be dug by hand. thank u EZ

[Cornhusker]

Originally Posted by emiliozapata

hello all, looking for some feedback on the plans i am developing for a sandbag house. My foundation will consist of a two foot rubble trench to grade level with a boxed frame concrete pour on top of the rubble trench using 1 x 12's, the question i have is how deep will i need to go with the rubble trench foundation, the location will be michigan . I was thinking 4 feet but wonder if i could get by with 3 feet as this will be dug by hand. thank u EZ

Check building codes in your area.
Most demand you go below frost line, usually 4 ft.

[kuriakos]

In most of Michigan it's 42 inches.

[emiliozapata]

ok , ithought 42 was it i think i go 48 to be safe, especially if i am still pulling usable material at that depth, hoping to not hit clay, which is pretty useless for the sandbags.

[kuriakos]

Make sure the bottom of your trench is good firm soil. If it's loamy, you have to keep digging until you get past it or your foundation will sink.

[emiliozapata]

kuriakos, in thinking through my design plans, i am considering an entirely different foundational structure, using cemented in 4x4's with my boxed frame lag bolted in place at grade, then the concrete poured, any thoughts, this would still carry the weight of the walls on the ground, yet eliminate shifting of the base a bit more.