eric ruffalo

Glenn Herbert wrote:Steel rebar that is not encased in concrete, especially in a high and possibly variable water table, will corrode fairly quickly and is not likely to be useful for long. I am not sure what use it would serve to begin with, actually. All you need to support your load is a well-built rubble trench or pier capped by a concrete pad (possibly reinforced) which is high enough to keep the supported structure dry. If there is a measurable frost depth, your rubble needs to extend well below that. What your locality may require beyond that is up to them.

The rebar will be imbedded in the top concrete footer and in the stone. I figure that this will help to secure the entire structure of to the ground for wind load. to stop the rebar from coroding I'll install a French drain at a later date.

After a bunch of research I think I've come op with a solution for my foundation. Ill still need to dig a French drain eventually but I think this solution will work.

Can anyone tell me if the image below can be submitted to building code or whatever to get permits.

Thank you for your reply Luke. yes, I'm familiar with the perimeter drain on a continuous rubble trench drain. my concern is drainage for individual piers in a high water table and issues that Matt brought up earlier.

Matt McSpadden wrote:Hi Eric,
I also welcome you to Permies!

I agree with Glenn that it should not be a problem if they are deep enough. What sort of concerns do you have with the rubble trench piers? Are you worried about freezing and heaving in the winter? Or is it more of a concern that the high water would soften the ground around the piers and cause them to collapse?

Also, do you know how high the water table is? Are we talking that you could dig a foot in the ground and find water?

Thank you for the welcome. yes I'm worried about what you mentioned as well as how to adequately drain the piers. Would installing a French drain around the perimeter of the piers be enough to drain the ground water?

Thank you both for confirming my thoughts. However, I am still having trouble finding adequate examples or even descriptions of what I am envisioning in my head. To clarify:

I want to build a foundation using the rubble trench method, but instead of a continuous trench, I want to use individual holes filled with rubble. These holes would then be topped with a high-strength concrete footer, with a wooden pier on top to support my floor. Does this seem correct?

Hello,

Thank you for any assistance or knowledge you can provide.

I purchased land outside of Ithaca, NY, and I’m planning to move onto the land next year in a yurt. I would eventually like to build a strawbale house but am having trouble finding information and understanding a few things.

I want to build a pier and beam-style foundation for ease of repair and cost. I’m considering a rubble trench-type pier system where, instead of pouring concrete, I fill the holes with rubble and then place a concrete footer on top. From my research, this seems possible, but I haven’t figured out or fully understood how to handle the high water table in the area.

The only solution I’ve found to prevent water from infiltrating the piers is a perimeter drain. Would a perimeter drain work for the type of foundation I’ve described, and how does it work? If the foundation area is surrounded by a drain but the ground has a constant source of water from all sides, wouldn’t this be ineffective?