Slab foundation

A slab foundation is a solid, uniform structure made of reinforced concrete. It is a load-bearing, casted on-site foundation, which has to have thermal insulation from below. Conventionally, the temporary formwork is used to form the shape of the building’s foundation. However, now there is an option to use factory-made L-shape polystyrene foam around the perimeter of the building. Not only it is formwork for the slab, but it also becomes the thermal insulation of the foundation. EPS prevents thermal bridging and direct slab contact with the soil; thus, such a foundation is often the best choice when building a passive house.

EPS foam for slab foundation shows high compression strength and low water absorption index. Builders use a special L-shaped EPS 150 or EPS 200 foam along the perimeter of the foundation with flat boards inside for the first thermal insulation layer. All EPS boards can be made according to the dimensions specified in the project of the building. EPS 100, EPS 150 or EPS 200 is used for the upper layers.

Compared to conventional trench-fill or rostwerk foundations, the installation time of slab foundations is significantly shorter. This type of foundation can be installed in 4-5 days. Moreover, this type of foundation bears and scatters the load across the slab plane, so they can be formed where it is complicated to install conventional pile foundations (due to poor soil properties).

Category:

Technical parameters

Type of polystyrene foam
EPS 100-200

Standard length and height
2000x400mm
Standard dimensions
According to the project
Possible options
L-shaped, other non-standard shapes

Contacts
Paulius

 

Technical properties of polystyrene foam according to EPS type

 

EPS type
EPS100
EPS150
EPS200
Average density (kg/m3)*
18,5
23,4
27,5
Long term water absorption by total immersion, WL(T)
≤ 3 %
≤ 3 %
≤ 2%
Thermal conductivity, λD (W/m·K)
≤ 0,035
≤ 0,034
≤ 0,033
Compressive strength at 10 % deformation, (kPa)
100
150
200
Bending strength (kPa)
150
200
250
Reaction to fire
E
E
E

 *Density is not relevant for the classification of polystyrene foam.

All properties are declared in accordance with the requirements of the EU standard EN 13163: 2012 + A1: 2015 and related documents

Installation instruction

  1. Slab foundations require special soil preparation, which protects the foundation from moisture and prevents its deformation. This type of foundation bears and scatters the load across the slab plane, so they can be formed where it is complicated to install conventional pile foundations (due to poor soil properties).
  2. The first EPS layer of slab foundations is usually made of EPS 150 or EPS 200. The upper layers are formed of EPS 100, EPS 150 or EPS 200 type polystyrene foam.
  3. The reinforcement frame for load-bearing walls is made.
  4. In order to reinforce the slab foundation, two reinforcement nets across the slab plane are required.
  5. Internal piping networks (water supply, concrete floor heating pipes, sewerage, etc.) installation begins.
  6. The last stage of the formation of slab foundation is concrete casting.

Compared to conventional trench-fill or rostwerk foundations, the installation time of slab foundations is significantly shorter. This type of foundation can be installed in 4-5 days.

Certificates and approvals

DECLARATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

DOP EPS 100 (PDF)

DOP EPS 150 (PDF)

DOP EPS 200 (PDF)

CERTIFICATES OF PERFORMANCE

EPS 100 certificate (PDF)

EPS 150 certificate (PDF)

EPS 200 certificate (PDF)

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 certificate (PDF)

All certificates and approvals

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