Riviperustusta

Riviperustusta, commonly referred to as strip foundations, is a type of shallow foundation used in building construction. It consists of a continuous strip of reinforced concrete (or, in some cases, masonry) that runs under load-bearing walls or groups of walls to transfer their loads to the soil. The strip distributes weight along its length, reducing stresses in the ground and helping control settlement.

Design and placement are governed by soil bearing capacity, wall loads, and frost protection requirements. The width and depth of the strip are determined to ensure adequate bearing capacity and to avoid excessive differential settlement. In areas with frost, the foundation is placed below the frost line and may include insulation and damp-proofing measures. Reinforced concrete strips are common in urban construction, while unreinforced variants may be used on strong soils.

Advantages of riviperustusta include cost-effectiveness for buildings with long, continuous walls, relatively straightforward construction, and good performance on soils with uniform bearing capacity. Limitations include reduced suitability for soils with highly variable or low bearing capacity, potential differential settlement if loading is uneven, and the need for proper drainage and insulation to prevent moisture and heat losses. It is also less appropriate for irregular or highly heavy superstructures where alternative foundations (such as slab or piled foundations) may be required.

In practice, riviperustusta is often contrasted with laattaperustus (slab foundations) and paaluperustukset (pile foundations). Its suitability depends on soil tests, building design, and local building codes.