Foundation Options
Temporary or Permanent
TEMPORARY FOUNDATIONS
Temporary foundations are designed to be quickly constructed and easy to remove when a fabric building needs to be relocated. They are the more environmentally friendly option as they require minimal ground disturbance and are great for where long-term impact on the environment is a concern. Temporary foundation options are generally less expensive and require less skilled labor to install. Guaranteed to last upwards of 15 years, our temporary structures are built to be removed with purpose, not by accident.
PERMANENT FOUNDATIONS
Our permanent foundations are versatile and designed to stand the test of time. They require a more advanced installation but will provide you with the most stable and long-lasting fabric buildings. Our permanent foundations feature solid, durable flooring built on top of a subfloor. This makes them the perfect choice for airplane hangars, sand and salt storage stations, fertilizer storage buildings, recycling plants, and more. Our permanent foundations are guaranteed to last up to 40 years, so you can rest assured that your structure and it’s foundation will last for decades.
TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT FOUNDATION OPTIONS
Hogan Stake
A Hogan stake foundation is made out of a series of high tensile steel stakes. These are then driven into the ground with a sledgehammer or jackhammer. Typically, two stakes are required. Hogan stake foundations are often the choice for temporary setups because of their easy removal. This foundation can be built with few resources and people, lowering overhead costs associated with setting up additional infrastructure.
DUCKBILL® Anchors
DUCKBILL® anchors function in soil much like a toggle bolt. The duckbills are pushed into the ground and are locked when the anchor tendon is pulled upward, rotating into a perpendicular “anchor lock” position. Duckbill anchor systems are another temporary foundation option because they provide effective, lightweight, and cost-efficient anchoring options. They’re also sustainable and are installed with limited resources and labour.
Wood Post Mount
For small projects 62‘ and narrower, wood post mount foundations are an excellent choice. Wood posts found the bases of hay shelters, calving barns, and even small equestrian arenas. 8″x8″ treated posts, put 4′-6′ in the ground and standing 4′-6′ above grade, are the most typical post sizes. Most installers will use pea gravel and cement powder to tamp the posts. Wood post foundations require little labour and equipment, making them an excellent, sustainable temporary foundation choice.
Helical Anchors
Helical Anchors, also known as Screw Piles, are exceptional choices for agricultural and commercial applications. Hydraulic machinery capable of monitoring KPI resistance drives helical anchors into the soil at each truss footing. The pile sizes will be determined by the size of the structures as well as the soil conditions. Helical anchors can be utilized for permanent or temporary applications. Helical anchors necessitate some hydraulic equipment and some manpower. They are adequate supports for shelters sized medium to large.
Ballast Block
Ballast Block foundations are a common and simple fabric building foundation typically used in commercial and industrial constructions. When necessary, local engineers design and stamp these foundations. These foundation types are incredibly popular because they are completely relocatable and leave no trace of the building once it is moved, making them a sustainable option. Ballast block foundations are difficult to install and require more manpower than other options.
Rig Mat
Rig mat foundations are often used for builds serving the oil industry. Rig mats are made of layered lumber that is bolted together. Occasionally they are encased in a steel beam perimeter. For smaller structures, the trusses are fastened to the rig mats. Ballast blocks or anchors are then used to counteract lateral displacement. Rig mats are installed with minimal resources and labour and can typically be found on site.
Shipping Containers
Shipping containers can be utilized as a simple, low-cost, and versatile foundation for fabric structures up to 62 feet wide. Truss baseplates are fitted to two shipping containers. Local experts can design and stamp container foundations, enabling versatility. Shipping container foundations necessitate the use of heavy machinery to install, yet they are one of the most cost-effective and versatile foundations for small to medium fabric buildings.
Poured-In-Place Concrete Piers
Poured-in-place concrete piers are a more permanent foundation solution. Built by excavating shafts at each truss footing, concrete forms are then inserted into the form, filling it with concrete to create supports. The building can then be mounted on grade or at ground level thanks to truss base plates inserted into the concrete piers. Poured-in-place piers demand a significant amount of resources and labour for installation but are relatively permanent. This foundation is appropriate for medium to large fabric structures.
Grade Beam
A grade beam foundation, also known as a grade beam footing foundation, is made up of a reinforced concrete beam that transmits structural load onto spaced foundations such as pile caps or caissons. These are created by excavating the footing area, inserting concrete forms, and pouring concrete into the forms. Grade beam foundations are permanent. The installation of grade beam foundations necessitates a significant amount of resources and people. This foundation is appropriate for medium to large fabric structures.
Poured-In-Place Foundations
Poured-in-place foundations are another permanent foundation type. Concrete is poured onto a form with steel reinforcements, creating a complete poured-in-place foundation. Pony walls or knee walls, which are concrete-formed walls can also be included in poured-in-place foundations. Poured-in-place foundations are permanent foundations and give a strong conventional floor. Installation of these foundations necessitates a significant amount of resources and labour. This foundation is appropriate for medium to large fabric structures.
