Do I Need a Special Floor Or Foundation to Support My New Lift?

What are the costs involved with a special floor or foundation? Click here to view Mechanic Superstore site through You'll also learn about the bearing capacities of different types of soil, ICC Building Code requirements, methods of constructing a footing foundation, and how to create a livable space that accommodates a 2 post car lift or 4 post car lifts

ICC Building Codes allowable bearing capacities for different types of soil

In a construction project, the bearing capacity of the soil is important to account for during the design phase. Failure to take this into account can result in disastrous consequences. Bearing capacity is determined by several factors, including soil type, density, and shear strength.

The amount of bearing pressure in a given soil type is determined by multiplying the allowable design load capacity by its least dimension in feet. Then, it is necessary to calculate liquefaction susceptibility and long-term settlement due to consolidation. Generally, it is necessary to engage a registered design professional to evaluate specific circumstances.

A design professional can determine the allowable bearing capacity of a pile by applying the appropriate load-testing formula. Alternatively, he or she can perform a wave equation analysis and obtain the final driving criteria. Then, a registered design professional may specify the use of hammer cushions. However, they should not be introduced prior to the final penetration. The minimum amount of hammer cushion material should be eight inches. Larger diameters may be necessary in long, unsupported heights or in unbraced conditions.

Methods of constructing a footing foundation

When building a new 2 post car lifts or 4 post car lift, there are several different methods of constructing a footing foundation. Each method involves using a specific type of footing. These footings are made of concrete or other material that is placed on a base that rests on soil. They must be sized correctly to avoid exceeding the bearing capacity of the soil, which is usually two to five tons per square foot. A footing foundation must also be structurally capable of spreading the design load.

One method is to construct a footing foundation that is isolated from the building. An isolated footing is placed at the base of a segment and transfers the loads from the column to the soil below. It can be round, square, or rectangular and made of either reinforced or non-reinforced material. The isolated footing should have a higher stature than the rest of the building. However, it should not be too spread because this type of footing does not accommodate large loads. Its main purpose is to reduce twisting and shearing power.

Another type of footing is a gravel footing. This method is designed to distribute foundation loads evenly and to provide a path for water. However, it must be drained well so that water cannot accumulate in the footing. Gravel footings are usually constructed from gravel or crushed stone. Gravel footings are often consolidated through tamping or vibrating. Gravel footings can also be built on top of cast-in-place concrete foundation walls.