Further to last article on my blog, in a bid to demystify the raft foundation cost, this article will deal extensively on how to calculate your concrete materials like cement, sand and granite that you will use for the foundation.
Click link below.


http://www.buildingcontractorsecrets.com/2009/08/how-to-calculate-materials-in-concrete.html

Thirdeye

I have read the article but still want to find out how much it would cost in total for a 4 bedroom bungalow with raft foundation.

Thanks

@Jumyg

Hello am an architect-builder it will cost you 1.3million depending on the structural design and depth of foundation. contact hopemanflee@yahoo.com

desse-architect

desse:

@Jumyg

Hello am an architect-builder it will cost you 1.3million depending on the structural design and depth of foundation. contact hopemanflee@yahoo.com

desse-architect

Seconded, thanks Desse.

Would you advise to do the fencing of the land before foundation.

I beg to dis agree with all of you. I will only accept that this is correct untill a quantity surveyor says so. The architect says 1.3million. when did he turned a Q.S. i beg to say that architects are the ones destroying building industry when they started design and build a house. where is proffessionalism. Lets stop this idea of usurping other position in this industry especially the architects.

Tosola

Is the cost high or low for a four bedroom bungalow and are you a quantity surveyor?

Jumyg:


Would you advise to do the fencing of the land before foundation.

Fencing depends on where the land is, if not prone to encroachment then there ma be no need.

Tosola:

I beg to dis agree with all of you. I will only accept that this is correct untill a quantity surveyor says so. The architect says 1.3million. when did he turned a Q.S. i beg to say that architects are the ones destroying building industry when they started design and build a house. where is proffessionalism. Lets stop this idea of usurping other position in this industry especially the architects.

Thank you for your comments thats why we need people like you, but if you don't do your work others wildo it for you so enlighten us more the ball is in your court. thanks

desse: any comments on the concrete mixing ratio for the raft foundation in thirdeye's blog? You just gave an estimate in Naira, ?

Nimshi:

desse: any comments on the concrete mixing ratio for the raft foundation in thirdeye's blog? You just gave an estimate in Naira, ?

It all depends on the quality of your aggregates. A typical Reinforced concrete mix could be:
Water =7.99%
Cement =14.04%
Course Aggregate (Granite)=41.65%
Fine Aggregate (Sand)=36.32%

These are ratios by weight. Depends on what is being poured, I.E Beams, Columns etc, but this is usually adequate for general purpose. The point is that it could vary, and additives could also be added to make the concrete workable, increase or decrease plasticity based on method of application, or quick setting etc. Once again, most important factor will depend on the quality of aggregates.

larez: thanks for your contribution.

Your figures give a water/cement ratio of about 0.56, which is fine. thirdeye used quite practical units (headpans, tippers); these are useful, and it would've been useful if your recipe for concrete did the same. Regarding what is being poured, the thread is about "concrete in raft foundation".
.

@thirdeye, Larez, & co, what is the best size of aggregate/granite for use in dbc?

What is dbc?

In anycase, I ain't an Engineer, but will do my homework first, which is probably what you are doing. However, there are new proven technologies coming up that allows you for example to use 2 parts of flyash+ I part of regular portland cement to replace your cement needs. And with the advent of polymers, 19mm, 15mm and 9mm can replace each other as long as the fine aggregate is max 1/6 the size of the course aggregate. In the case of basalts and kimberlite, light weight concrete is also achieving the strengths and stress tests of granite with additives added.

My point here is that there are various new emerging technologies that are now beginning to put question marks on existing standards. Properly testing aggregates, which includes stuff like cubicity, soundness, and resistance to alkalines help to define the capability of it's concrete mixture. Hope all this blabbing doesn't confuse you.

@Larez, Im not only confused, but lost. what Im asking is the correct size of granite/stone (ie in mm) to be used for GERMAN FLOOR. Thanks.

jumyg,

I am not a Q.S but a builder. Before i can give anybody the cost of constructing a building, i have to have the relevant drawings e.g architectural, structural mechanical and electrical drawing.

Invariably, what i am saying is that once you buy your land an have made up your mind the type of building you want to have, the best thing for you to do is to call the necesary proffesionals to give you your designs so that you can have the correct cost. This is also advantageous in the management of cost in the sense that, once you have the required proffessionals on your site, they serve as checks and balances for each other. The structural engineer monitors the placements of reinforcement, the architects ensures the aethetics aspect of the house is maitained and specifications are followed, while the Q.S ensures that all this is achieved at the right cost. Its time for clients to stop being penny wise and pound foolish. Because all these are not ensured gives the reasons for collapsed building we are having every where.

oranges:

@thirdeye, Larez, & co, what is the best size of aggregate/granite for use in dbc?

I know you refer to Damp Proof Course but that is not even the concrete itself, but you can call it oversite concrete or laymen's term- german floor as you've poined out. The aggregates is not what anybody can easily tell you but to save cost and time people prefers to use the three-quarter inch.

@3rd eye
Please correct me if I'm wrong but from reading your calculations on this project, the dept of the excavation for this foundation will be about 3' 6" or 1.10 meter.

ajileko:

@3rd eye
Please correct me if I'm wrong but from reading your calculations on this project, the dept of the excavation for this foundation will be about 3' 6" or 1.10 meter.

Yes

This thread went on break in AUG 2009, unfortunately I had not been granted visa to NL then 
O ya, Everybody wake up, there are still thousands of potential landlords in NL seeking free & reliable consultation & I'm eager to make my own contributions