| After clearing the site the
first task is to trace the imprint of the building, determine the levels and
then dig the foundations. The foundations need to be deep enough to find a
compact sub-soil, generally a depth of 50-60cm and a width of
40-50cm is required for stone walls. |
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| After a reasonably level
concrete base has been laid in the trench a substantial lattice-section
rebar is installed with vertical rebars at each corner and at the sides of
each door and window opening - the objective of this is to make the
whole structure quake-resistant. |
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| At this point ready-mixed
concrete is poured into the foundation trenches. Pouring is a continuous
process to ensure the strongest possible foundation. |
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| The first stones can now be
laid. Often houses in France are built with a "vide sanitaire" or empty
space beneath the ground floor - generally about 50cm in height. The wall at
the vide-sanitaire level is waterproof but not insulated. The wooden shuttering
allows waterproof concrete to be poured behind the stones. |
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| Once the vide-sanitaire is
completed, a laser is used to ensure a completely level ledge is made all
the way round the building and on any intermediate supporting wall.
|
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| The opportunity is taken at
this stage to pass sewage pipes. Many properties in France do not have
access to mains sewage so at Bati-Build we often install a micro-sewage plant
rather than a septic tank. Consequently only one main sewage outlet is
required. |
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| After placing a damp-proof
course on the outside walls and on the load-bearing walls, the floor joist are then put in
place. These pre-stressed concrete beams include a lattice rebar which forms
part of the reinforcement for the concrete floor when it is laid. |
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| 20cm polystyrene "hourdis"
provide an insulated sub-structure to the floor over which a concrete slab
will be poured. Rebar forms part of the floor joists as
well as a metal grille which will be embedded in the slab when it poured.
Finally a "belt" of rebar is incorporated round the edge which guarantees
the floor becomes an integral part of the structure. |
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| Once the slab has been poured
the construction of the house can begin - note the vertical rebars which
will become part of the vertical concrete pillars which make the
construction quake-resistant or "parasismique". |
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