Im planning to build a 50' X 30' shop on my acerage. Because of the cost of concrete Im planning on laying out a concrete footing only and speading 3/4' cruch rock on the inside.

Im not quite sure how to build this footing. So far I would build it like so.

- Remove all top soil until I hit solid clay.
- Drill 8" piles every 8 ft or so
- Build concrete forms 8" wide X 10" deep
- Install Rebar inside pile (4 lenghts)
- Install rebar inside forms (4 lenghts) and connect to piles rebar
- Poor concrete into forms.

Am I on the right track? Do I need the piles? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

No foundation expert here but I think the piles are over kill. Everything depends on soil conditions and the weight of the building. General procedure is to dig to undisturbed soil and pour footer. I think minium thickness and width is 4" x 18". Footers usually end up being 24" wide because that's the width of the small bucket on a backhoe. Two #2 rebar.

That's the footer under my home which is two stories with a concrete basement. At least I think it's # 2 rebar.

Why not talk to an experienced builder or local building department.

Note: The footer is what the foundation or basement wall rests on.

You need a permit for this and that building department can actually work with you and tell you what they will allow and not. Most buildings need to reach down to the frost line, where do you live. Have you considered a pole barn, very costr effective for a big shop.