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NAHB Plays Key Role in Introducing Cost-Saving Foundations

In 1984, the Research Center began development of technology for Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations, building upon experiences in Scandinavia where the technique was already widely used. The research was funded by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and Dick Morris, who is now on the NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards staff, was the principal investigator.

Research continued into the 1990s and in 1995 the American Society of Civil Engineers began writing a consensus standard for the design and construction of the foundations. That standard was published in September of 2001.

Longtime NAHB builder member Gerald Eid, president of Eid-Co Buildings in Fargo, ND, chaired the consensus committee that wrote the standard.

“Cold-climate builders,” says Eid, “will be able to use this green technology to reduce foundation costs by up to 40% because they’ll be able to reduce the foundation frost depth to 12 or 16 inches and save energy and resources.”

The standard includes techniques for frost-protection of heated, semi-heated and unheated buildings. “I find the method to be especially useful for frost protection of handicap accessible slab-on-grade buildings,” says EID, “but there are also designs for crawl spaces and walk-out basements.”

To purchase a copy of the standard, click here.

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