Print this page Basic Residential Foundation Design, Construction, and Energy Conservation Details
George E. Thomas, PE
Course Outline
This course provides general background and introduction to foundation design issues, explains the practical and economic advantages of good foundation design, discusses the considerations that affect choosing a foundation type, ways to control radon and other hazards and how to apply energy efficiency to foundation design.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Gain increased understanding why foundations are insulated;
- Gain increased understanding of three basic types of foundations;
- Gain increased understanding of various foundation construction systems;
- Gain increased understanding of various foundation materials;
- Gain increased understanding of foundation drainage;
- Gain increased understanding of waterproofing;
- Gain increased understanding of design detail notes;
- Know how to provide drainage control;
- Know how to prevent wood decay;
- Know how to prevent termite infestation;
- Know how to use design details;
- Identify foundation construction problems; and
- Identify foundation design problems.
Intended Audience
Architects, Engineers, Residential Designers, and Builders
Benefit to Attendees
The information gained from this course will allow for the engineer to design energy efficient and cost efficient residential foundations.
Course
Introduction
The foundation of a house is a somewhat invisible and sometimes ignored component of the building. It is increasingly evident that attention to good foundation design and construction has significant benefits to the homeowner and the builder, and can avoid some serious future problems. Good foundation design and construction practice means not only insulating to save energy, but also providing effective structural design as well as moisture, termite, and radon control techniques.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Basic Residential Foundation Design, Construction, and Energy Conservation Details
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You may need
to download Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.
Course Summary
The purpose of this course is to provide information that will enable architects and engineers to understand foundation design problems and solutions. Section provides the general background and introduction to foundation design issues, explains the practical and economic advantages of good foundation design. Before proceeding with solving design and problems, there must be a basic decision about the type of foundation to be used, basement, crawl space, or slab-on-grade. Sections discuss the considerations that affect choosing a foundation type. While many aspects of foundation design and construction are known to some extent, there is one major concern that is relatively new, controlling radon. Sections present potentially major health hazards and control techniques for energy, moisture, termites and radon.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
