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A rubble trench is an age-old foundation system that provides bearing strength with a dry footer.  A rubble trench foundation consists of a trench dug to frost depth and sloped to daylight that is lined with filter fabric and filled with crushed stone or recycled concrete.  This filled trench provides the bearing footer.  A grade beam runs along this perimeter to evenly distribute the building's loads.  The amount of concrete used is thus greatly reduced.  (Concrete, is a major contributor to green house gas.)  The trench requires less excavation while providing continuous drainage of water, thus eliminating the #1 contributor to foundation failure.

• description of a rubble trench foundation, including benefits and standard detailing

• tamping requirements 

• forming methods and non-toxic release agents for the grade beam

Down to Earth Design, inc.
Sigi Koko, principal
215.540.2694 PA
202.302.3055 DC
admin@buildnaturally.com

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