I am building an elevated stilt type house on a slight grade in a no frost area. 30 X 30 feet square. Posts at 10 foot intervals so 16 total. Posts will be 3' above grade to deck on high side and 5 feet on low part of slope... so not a 'tall' structure.

Can I place the post on stone pad (24 x 18x 6 inches) that are resting on the level undisturbed soil. Not having columns into the soil is desirable as hauling in concrete and mix and rebar is tough and also want to minimize environmental impact. The posts can be anchored to the stone with small concrete pads poured on top of the stone.

Any ideas? Reference sites?

There may be no frost but wind could be a big issue for an unsecured house. If you are building in an area that will require a permit, just sitting on the concrete probably will not be accepted. If this house will be sitting on a 4" slab, that is not enough thickness as the weight could cause settlement or cracking the slab. I would reconsider your vision.

Sorry, I missed the point about the pads. However, it is still an unsecured building. There is no footing you are tied to.

I agree. " level undisturbed soil" we have no clue what your soil is like, loam or sand would fail. You need to be tied to the ground some how. Don't you need a permit?

Thanks. I believe I am OK on straight settlement as the pads are big and there are many. But, if I get you right, I need to be concerned about uplift and/or side movemant of the whole house with wind. There can be some good wind where I am.

It's in Central America and no building codes to deal with on this. The main "code" is on the environmental side and if I dig for the columns, I will have to jump through a lot of hoops vs. building this way with no digging.

If I drove some hefty rebar down 15 feet in, say, six places under this and anchored to beams does that do anything, or just make me think it does?

The soil is undisturbed. Leveling the slight grade for the pads (to keep them level) does not affect the soil below where you scrape off 3-4 inches. The soil is volcanic and is uniform down 15 feet or more... so these pads actually have more bearing area then columns. Not sure how I would classify the actual soil type... not a lot of clay, medium coarse is the best I can do by feel.

I understand that you may not have any building codes to worry about but those codes are written to make your home safe and sound. "lot of hoops " what kind of hoops if there are no codes?

Here is where I got part of the idea... what am I missing on this and what I want to do?

http://coyotecottage.com/cabin/cabinconstruction/foundation.htm

What gives alextrent?? I ask you a question about the hoops you say you have to jump through and you zapme with a red mark for my question. If you want help you should not dump on the very few who are trying to help. If you just want us to agree with your ideas and not actually steer you to a safe installation then just say so. BTW the link you posted would be fine for a shed. Just because it is on the internet doesn't mean its safe for a home in a windy location. Why do you think mobile homes are so torn up during high winds?

Here is what I wrote about codes..

It's in Central America and no building codes to deal with on this. The main "code" is on the environmental side and if I dig for the columns, I will have to jump through a lot of hoops vs. building this way with no digging.

Pretty plain what this means... the codes are on the environmental side not building inspections. So that is what I have to work around, if I can.

I am sorry you are offended... I came on this site for advice not lectures, like..


I understand that you may not have any building codes to worry about but those codes are written to make your home safe and sound.

I fully understand what the potential problems are... that is why I wrote rather than just diving in. I thought some expert advice would confirm or negate this or perhaps even give me some answers on some work arounds. Down here in the boonies, we are used to that and do a lot of it.

I have built a water collector... basically a shed with no wall, just braces... 25x18 feet and 6 feet to 5 foot off the ground and it stands just fine. That, in part, is what gave me the idea. As far as the site I sent... his is not a shed. It is a small building.. not too much bigger than what I plan. True it at ground level... but on a windy plain, so the horizontal forces are just as great, but uplift is less so. Might be I need to shorten the post height ?

In short, people who come on sites like this are not all complete dummies about stuff. So try to help and not lecture and chastise. You's be surprised at how much we do, without the luxury of a home depot around the corner,

That's what I was asking about the "hoops" still no need to nick me just for asking. "So try to help and not lecture and chastise" so by trying to explain to you how to build safely I am lecturing? Reread my posts, where do I chastise you?