Unlike houses with gardens or yards, urban homes often face space limitations, making it challenging to design functional parking or storage areas. To address this issue, basement construction in townhouses has become a practical solution for maximizing space.
Depending on the functional requirements of the homeowner, the basement can be built at different depths. However, constructing a basement is one of the most complex, time-consuming, and expensive stages of building a house. Let’s explore the construction process and key considerations with Cát Mộc.
Basement Construction Process
- Site preparation, including demolition of any existing structures (if applicable).
- Driving reinforced concrete piles according to the design.
- Installing C-shaped sheet piles around the basement perimeter to the specified depth.
- Excavating the soil to the designed depth based on technical drawings. The shoring system is installed concurrently with excavation to ensure safety.
- Constructing the foundation, floor, and reinforced concrete basement walls.
- Removing the C-shaped sheet piles once the basement walls have reached 100% strength.
Key Considerations for Basement and Wall Construction
- Choosing the right excavation method: Basement excavation is a complex process, as it involves digging to the full depth of both the basement and the foundation. The volume of soil to be removed is substantial, and if calculations and execution are not precise, it may lead to severe consequences for both the house and nearby structures.
- Basement wall formwork system: The formwork base must be positioned correctly and securely to prevent displacement during concrete pouring. The wall formwork must be well-supported to ensure it remains stable and does not tilt or bulge.
- Concrete pouring stages: Basement concrete is typically poured in two stages:
- Stage 1: Pouring concrete for the foundation and foundation beams.
- Stage 2: Pouring concrete for the basement walls.
- Steel reinforcement installation: The steel reinforcement must be installed strictly according to the design drawings.
- Waterproofing joints: At the construction joints between the foundation beams and basement walls, waterstops must be pre-installed to prevent water infiltration. For existing concrete surfaces, these areas must be properly chiseled and cleaned before pouring new concrete to meet quality standards.
- Concrete curing: After pouring, the concrete must be properly cured to ensure its durability and strength.
