CurlyDave
Elite Member
What is grade beem construction ?
Also, this is a new build not and addition to my home. Trust me, all help is welcome
A grade beam is a concrete beam which is used to transmit the load from a building to piles, which are significantly deeper than the bottom of the beam. Typically the beam is reinforced with rebar.
For the money you are going to spend on this, you might as well go all out and get a soils engineer to look at your location and make some design recommendations. I have always done this and feel it is money well spent. There are many types of grade beam and it is well worth the engineering costs to get a proper design which will not become a nightmare down the road.
Many grade beams use what are called "void forms" which are essential sturdy cardboard boxes to produce a gap, or void, under the beam to assure that there is no earth contact with the bottom of the beam. {The cardboard disintegrates after the pour.) This means that a frost heave will not raise up the foundation causing failure. Google the term "void form" to see what I mean.