Foundation as a useable space?

[Omaharosario]

Has any ever used the space inside if the foundation as storage space? if so how do you support all of the weight from the floor, cooking surface and dome?

[tusr18a]

When I was at your stage, I went through the same thoughts. Trap door in the slab at grade would make for a great place to hide the family treasures. In the end, I decided it would be too much work. I filled the foundation in with sand and poured the slab. Here is a link to the photos that I took of the build:

Picasa Web Albums - Daniel Woodruff - Wood Fired Oven

[Tscarborough]

Wood storage area is common, the slab, if built to FB spec is strong enough to bridge it. I put a partition wall in and built a smaller free standing wood storage area since I did not want nooks and crannies for bugs, esp. wasps.

[Omaharosario]

I am using 2, 6" I beams and cement pans for a floating deck plus the re-bar. Total overkill but I am no engineer and have no idea so I figured that will work for sure.

[Tscarborough]

It is a waste of money. The FB design is already overkill even for seismic zones.

[Omaharosario]

The materials are from a salvage yard so money is not the issue. But still no need for either product? I want to make a wine cellar and safe storage space?

[Tscarborough]

If money is no object do what you want, but the FB plans are engineered.

[C5dad]

If you use enough rebar (on 6 inch centers like I did - overkill) you will have no problem spanning the gap.

I am using my space for wood and brick chip storage during construction. I will store my dried wood and smokin wood/charcoal under there later.

[Neil2]

Skip the "I" beams and pans and the concept of a "floating" slab. A well reinforced (1% rebar) slab, structurally tied to the support walls, is what I would suggest.

Your foundations look to be very deep. Is this due to frost penetration concerns ? If this is the case, and you leave it open to the atmosphere, you will defeat the purpose of deep foundations.

[Omaharosario]

Yes NE frost line is 42" I went 48" does this kill my open space project? IDK! I am here for suggestions, and I assumed the I beams and pans with the poured concrete under the 48" block foundation would make up for the open space below??