Basic Shed.... Footing or Slab?

[ndemge]

Building a Metal Building. Have finally obtained enough steel to do the framework with, and will be using metal siding over the frame. The weight is going to be very evenly distriubted on the outside walls, NOT building "pole barn" style.

Aprox 22X30'
Frost line is aorund 3'

I'd like to have a concrete floor, can I just poor a slab and set the building on it, making the outer edges thicker, 8-12"?

I'd like to avoid having to waste all that concrete on a Footer/foundation if it can be avoided.

Very solid ground where I am at.

[Rich]

If there is going to be heavy traffic near it during the freeze months I would suggest doing a shallow frost protected foundation. With traffic around it - it will drive the frost clear under your slab and crack it up.

[ndemge]

Edit, got off my lazy but and googled the frost protecetd foundation...



If there is no traffic around, and the slab is thick enough, can that be enough or does it need some sort of piering or foundation?


....I just look at all these slabs around the property, 2 of them with buildings on them and no cracks, so gets me to thinking.

[Rich]

Essentially (from memory) you put in a 1' deep footing/thickened edge, run insulation down the side of that and then out away from the building 2-3'. Then backfill etc..
It provides a barrier from frost actually getting under the slab/footing. It's shallow and frost protected. NAHB did a couple white papers on it awhile back - I've got it somewhere at home.

[ndemge]

http://www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1548&DocumentID=2065

this is what I found....

see above post for new questions :)