Some agricultural steel buildings are designed to have dirt or gravel floors and consequently use concrete piers instead of a full slab; however, a concrete slab is best for most situations, such as commercial, industrial, and institutional steel buildings. A building needs a foundation to shoulder its considerable weight, as well as provide a flat and level base for construction.

Three Types of Steel Building Foundations

Below are three types of foundations we work with at Heartland Steel Buildings. These will be covered in detail during the initial consultation and quote but here is a basic idea.

T-Shaped

• T-shaped foundations are used in areas where the ground freezes.
• First, the footing is placed.
• Second, the walls are constructed and poured.
• Lastly, the slab is placed.

Slab-On-Grade Foundation

• Slab on grade used in areas where ground does not freeze.
• The edges of the slab-on-grade are thicker than the interior of the slab.
• The slab-on-grade is monolithic (poured all at one time).

Frost Protected

• Only works with a heated structure.
• Has the benefits of a the slab-on-grade method (concrete poured monolithically) in areas subject to frost.
• Concrete is poured in one operation, versus 3 pours required for T-shaped foundations.