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I am not really sure whether i am asking the right question, but i am still posting it:-)

Is a foundation level plinth beam required for column based construction?

The reason I am asking this is because the engineer says - "plinth bean band is not required for column based construction"? He however is doing sizestone based masonry of 8" for foundation. Please comment.

Though I am neither a practitioner nor an experienced, here is my view based on my contractors suggestion and a bit of googling.
Having plinth beam is one way for making the structure earthquake resistant. Also, my contractor is saying putting a good quality plinth beam can protect the walls from developing air cracks though there are other reasons for air crack.
I have 3 feet SSM foundation and 1 feet high plinth beam.
Is it 8ft or 8 inch? By the size of the stones, I assume it is 8 feet and my question is why you need 8 feet SSM foundation?

Regards,
Nagendra

Hi,
Plinth foundation is done for3 reasons
1.when u fill the plinth ht from road level beyond the beam depth u need proper retaining for filled earth.many times people cut the corner using solid blocks below plinth,but in future u will see the ground flooring sinks down .
2. Rodents are big issues because they the dig the soil below ground and make them hallow if u don't have plinth foundation deeper
3.plinth beam steel should be more and according columns need to be designed for Ground floor walls load.

Regard
Ar.Praveen
Ardes architects and Interior designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.arresarchitects.com

ardesarchitects wrote:Hi,
Plinth foundation is done for3 reasons
1.when u fill the plinth ht from road level beyond the beam depth u need proper retaining for filled earth.many times people cut the corner using solid blocks below plinth,but in future u will see the ground flooring sinks down .
2. Rodents are big issues because they the dig the soil below ground and make them hallow if u don't have plinth foundation deeper
3.plinth beam steel should be more and according columns need to be designed for Ground floor walls load.

Regard
Ar.Praveen
Ardes architects and Interior designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
http://www.arresarchitects.com

Hi Praveen,

For my construction, we had to raise about 5 feet from natural ground level to get the required height from road level. We are going with SSM below plith only on the peripheral wall and avoiding SSM for all the internal walls, primarily to cut some costs. We checked this with my architect and he confirmed this is fine. I am now feeling a bit guilty and sligthly worried about syncing floor as per your comment. Also, all the internal walls as per our drawing are 4.5" walls. Is there anything we need to do, as of today, they are laying the centering to cast the plinth beams.

-Santosh