Careful planning marks the beginning of a construction project. Apart from choosing the appropriate building materials, you must not forget crucial components, such as the ground beam. Ground beams are a construction structure that ensures the sturdiness of a building.
Often called sloof in Indonesian, the term ground beam may be unfamiliar to many people, though frequently used within the construction industry. To learn more about the role of the ground beam, check out the following explanation.
What Is a Ground Beam?
A ground beam is located above the foundation. However, it is not uncommon to find the beam within the ground.
Sloof, or ground beam, is also known as the base beam because it is at the base of the wall or building beam. It primarily connects the wall and foundation, ensuring the strength and stability of the overall building structure.
Ground beams are made of wood, concrete, and steel. The components are adjusted to the needs and structural design of the construction. A ground beam is positioned parallel to the ground or ground floor. Its size is often larger than the wall or beam it supports.
Types of Ground Beams
There are four types of ground beams. Each type has different functions and advantages for a construction development project. Here are ground beam types commonly produced for construction:
1. Reinforced Ground Beam
Reinforced concrete ground beams are typically seen on the foundation of a one-story building or a small house. This beam has a height or width of more than 15-20 cm.
2. Wooden Ground Beam
Wooden ground beam installation usually requires a flanking beam. However, if the timber is on top of a concrete or stone-based strip foundation area, it is better to use a single beam.
Traditional or wood-based house construction often uses this type of ground beam, such as stilt houses.
Read also: 3 Reasons to Use Lightweight Brick as Building Material
3. Brick Ground Beam
The brick ground beam is also known as rolag in Indonesian. Building the structure requires bricks with a transverse arrangement. Installing brick ground beams usually requires the addition of a strong binder.
The binder is made from a mixture of cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 4. However, this type of ground beam cannot distribute the load properly due to the damp nature of the bricks.
4. Iron Ground Beam
The last type of ground beam is made of iron. This ground beam type consists of several ingredients, namely iron, rings, and reinforcement. The manufacturing process requires the right composition of the three to achieve the most appropriate results.
Functions of Ground Beams
As explained before, a ground beam holds a key role in a construction project. Some of the ground beam functions are as follows:
- Attach the brick or concrete brick component.
- Hold the load of other components that stand above and lay below it.
- Lock the part of the wall above it to make sure there is no shift.
- A bridge between the wall and the foundation.
- Help the wall part get the load evenly.
- Binds the column to ensure the building remains safe and sturdy even in the event of a disaster.
- Enhance the aesthetic.
- Support interior and exterior walls.
- Connect the piles to ensure the building gets the support it needs.
- Drain the vertical load when a decline occurs.
Ground Beam Manufacturing Methods
Making a ground beam must be done carefully and correctly. It is not recommended to manufacture one carelessly because it can risk the safety of the building occupants.
Therefore, the process must comply with predetermined safety standards. The methods of manufacturing ground beams are as follows:
1. Make the Webbing
Implement this step once the foundation has been cast. Then, make the beam webbing on the foundation to get the iron into the column posts. Usually, construction workers use 8-mm iron and above. However, if you want to get sturdier results, use iron for matting in a large size.
2. Build the Formwork Board
Formwork boards are later used for beam support. Usually, two formwork boards and rafters are put together.
The width of the formwork board is adjusted to the bricks that will be inserted. During the process, the workers immediately take the bricks.
After that, place the formwork boards on the foundation around the properly made iron ground beam so the concrete cast can cover the iron. When adjusting the formwork board position, it is better to use rafters. You can use cement wrapping paper to close the beam-cast gap.
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3. Making Concrete
The common ratio of concrete cast is 1:2:3 for cement, sand, gravel, and additional water mixture. The texture must be thin to ensure the gaps in the ground beam are filled perfectly, which results in a smooth surface.
Then, insert the cast into the formwork board, and tap it with a hammer. Flatten the cast filling by poking it with an iron and let it rest for 1-3 days. After that, the manufacturer staff in charge can open the formwork boards and see the results.
Differences Between Ground Beams and Tie Beams
People often confuse these two types of beams, even though they are very different. However, ground beams and tie beams both have important functions in building construction.
Both play a role in ensuring the stability and safety of the building. However, they also differ. The differences between the tie beam and the ground beam are as follows:
- A ground beam serves as a support beam to balance vertical loads and connect columns and walls to the foundation. Meanwhile, a tie beam stabilizes and connects columns at the top level of the building to overcome lateral loads.
- A ground beam is above ground level and installed along the top or bottom edge of the building wall. Meanwhile, a tie beam is around the top level of the building, above or between columns by extending from one column to another.
- The ground beam installation includes three steps, namely making the webbing, formwork boards, and casting concrete. On the other hand, the tie beam installation involves the use of screws, fasteners, and welding processes depending on the material.
That's some information about ground beams, starting from the definition, types, functions, manufacturing methods, and their differences from tie beams. From the information above, you understand better how important a ground beam is in sustainable construction.
After this, you can estimate the ground beam planning for your construction project. One of the steps you can take is choosing the right construction material.
Semen Merah Putih can help you solve your ground beam problem. As a trusted cement manufacturer, Semen Merah Putih provides a wide range of quality products. These products include precast concrete, ready-mix, and bulk cement products.
Contact us immediately to get more information. Let's use quality-assured construction materials with Semen Merah Putih.
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