The technology for creating houses based on frame-monolithic structural elements is considered the most popular in the world. And if earlier this technology was used only for commercial facilities, enterprises, factories, etc., now it is firmly established in summer cottage and city construction.
The bearing capacity of the construction of a monolithic frame house is provided by rigid iron concrete columns located in areas subject to the highest pressure. These columns are a transitional element between a monolithic overlap and a foundation base.
Pros and cons of building houses using frame-monolithic technology
It is obvious that with a high level of popularity, frame-monolithic technology should have many advantages:
- the use of this technology allows you to implement almost any architectural projects (hanging floors, for example);
- the monolithic frame house has a high degree of rigidity and stability due to the strong connection of 2 monolithic floors and the reinforced concrete columns enclosed between them;
- the free space of the cottage is easy to redevelop;
- over time, the structure of concrete becomes stronger, and strengthened by iron structural elements, it acquires even greater strength and durability;
- the height of the floors is at least three meters;
- a clear plus is the fact that the finished reinforced concrete frame of the house does not need fire protection (the problem is solved at the stage of pouring concrete and creating supporting structures).
An undoubted plus is the fact that houses can be built year-round using frame-monolithic technology. Nevertheless, if they are carried out in the cold season, the costs are slightly higher, because in this case additional electricity is required to heat the concrete (it is necessary so that it solidifies uniformly and the supports are stronger and more reliable).
Nevertheless, the monolithic-frame technology also has disadvantages and nuances that must be taken into account before the start of construction:
- the main minus of such houses is the cold bridges formed by columns of cold reinforced concrete, which requires increased thermal insulation and significantly increases the overall cost of construction and decoration;
- in order to build reinforced concrete columns of the house and monolithic floors, as well as make reinforcement, a huge number of special racks and formwork are necessary;
- building a private house using this technology requires high professionalism and experience, so that not everyone can build it with their own hands.
Design features of a private monolithic frame house
The frame of such a house is:
- foundation;
- monolithic columns installed on the foundation;
- a reinforcing belt connecting the columns and serving as lintels of windows in the cottage (the number of these belts varies depending on the number of floors of the house).
Overlappings in this type of house are also made integral.
Between the monolithic columns, a step of 7-10 meters is observed, which makes the space of the house or cottage airy, light and spacious.
The supporting frame needs to be insulated with your own hands and lined with material that meets the needs of the builder.
The open space of the cottage can be taken into account when planning the design of the premises, for example, to mount panoramic glazing around the perimeter of the house (do it yourself, this is possible only with the help of a professional).
How to ensure the reliability of the foundation of a monolithic frame house?
Before starting the construction of the cottage, it is important to analyze the soil and find out the groundwater level. It will be best if you take soil samples with your own hands and take it to the laboratory, where you will make a professional conclusion.
The house using monolithic frame technology can be built on almost any type of foundation:
- pile;
- plate;
- tape.
In addition, if development is carried out in a seismic hazard zone, then a monolithic frame is the only right choice, because only he can withstand such loads.
After the type of soil and the depth of groundwater are clarified, you can proceed to the selection of the optimal foundation in each case, foundation:
- a shallow foundation strip made of prefabricated blocks is suitable for soil with a low level of groundwater (naturally, a basement of this type cannot be built);
- monolithic strip foundation suitable for non-porous soil (selected for houses with a basement);
- medium- and high-grade soils have too many drawbacks and are not suitable for construction, however, if there is no choice, you can install a floating type foundation (a mobile plate fixed in a semicircular foundation pit), which changes its position, but does not affect the integrity of the house.
The foundation of such a house requires a powerful and thorough reinforcement, because it provides the strength of the supporting structure. In addition, on the outside of the walls of the cottage you need to do it yourself with a waterproofing agent: roofing material, bitumen or roofing.
The process of pouring concrete into the formwork
The basis of the monolithic frame house is concrete reinforced with metal. The strength of the entire structure depends on the quality of its pouring. In addition, reinforcing bars encased in concrete are reliably protected from temperature changes, humidity, rust and oxidation.
All these advantages of concrete pouring are relevant only when it is done correctly, i.e. uniformly, evenly, without protrusions.
Concrete and iron reinforcement act in synergy, complementing and enhancing each other's abilities. The result of this synthesis is reinforced concrete, a material that levels the disadvantages of both composite elements: it is 150 times stronger than ordinary concrete and durable steel. The necessary strength of the future frame can be adjusted by introducing reinforcement of different thicknesses of the section: for example, to maximize the structure, reinforcement with a large diameter is introduced. In addition, the location of these reinforcing rods in concrete is also important.
Technology for creating monolithic columns
Monolithic columns can be created in several ways:
- pouring concrete piers before building the walls of the cottage;
- pouring supports after the erection of walls;
- pouring columns simultaneously with the construction of walls.
The third option has the most pluses. The pouring technology in this case is as follows: first you need to connect the frame from the reinforcement, then wall blocks are laid around it, the formwork is installed and only now concrete is being poured.
So, building houses using frame-monolithic technology is a responsible task in which flaws are unacceptable. That is why, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to take up the construction with your own hands, but invite specialists. At all stages of development, there are technological nuances in which you need to be able to understand in practice, and not in theory, which can only be provided by the experience of a qualified builder. Nevertheless, if you are eager to participate in the development, carefully study the construction project and choose the right quality building materials with your own hands.