What Is the Grade Beam? | The Construction Process of Grade Beam | Advantages & Disadvantagesof Grade Beam

What Is Grade Beam?

Grade beams are part of the building foundation. These beams are usually made of reinforced concrete. Grade beams are a horizontal component of a building.

Grade beams are made with sufficient strength. The reinforcement used in it should be in accordance with IS CODE.

The grade beam should be in direct contact with the cap or footings as per ACI 318-14. Grade beams are made by leveling directly on the soil.

Grade beam made on the pile cap casting used to support the two columns. Thus the grade beam remains part of the structure. The grade beam should be reinforced as required to increase the strength of the supported column.

The level of the grade beam should be maintained. So that the load is transferred to the soil. The grade beam has the property of connecting two columns. So that the stability of the column can be increased.

Grade beams are more advantageous where there is more span between the columns. The grade beam is also useful for load-bearing walls. In ordinary houses, a grade beam is made above ground level. Grade beams also act as plinth beams.

A plinth beam is not required if the grade beam is made at ground level. Where the bearing capacity of soil is less, strength can be increased by doing grade beam.

Let us now get information about the process of grade beam.

Also Read : Types of Beams in Constructions

The Construction Process of Grade Beam

Let us now consider the different steps of processing of grade beams. The various steps of processing are as follows

• Preparation and Excavation of Grade beam
• Reinforcement Placement for Grade beam
• Installation of Formwork for Grade Beam
• Proper Fixing the Formwork of Grade Beam
• Pouring concrete for Grade beam

Praparation and Exacavation of Grade Beam

Excavation is the first step in the construction of grade beams. Excavation is done according to the level of the grade beam. Then the next process is carried out. For processing the clay is leveled by dressing. Then the clay is well compacted.

After the above process, the width of the grade beam is increased to 100 mm PCC. So that the shuttering of the grade beam can be done easily.

The process comes after the construction foundation of the grade beam is done.

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Reinforcement Placement for Grade beam

After the first process is completed Then steel binding is done according to structural design.

In reinforcement, lapping should not come in one place. reinforcement lapping should be done according to an alternate method. Must have strength as per reinforcement Is code.

Installation of Formwork for Grade Beam

After the second process is completed, formwork will be placed according to the dimensions of the beam, which is done as per the design drawing.

Good quality ply should be used for formwork. So that there is no difference in quality during the whole process.

If the grade beam is built on the ground, a layer of brick is laid under the formwork. So that the reinforcement does not come into direct contact with the soil. The sides are then adjusted. In this case, the sides of the shuttering can be fixed on top of the bricklayer.

The surface of the formwork should be checked to see if it is uneven. The level of formwork should remain the same before providing shuttering fitting.

Also Read : What Is Beam? | What Is Column? | Difference Between Beam and Column

Proper Fixing the Formwork of Grade Beam

Proper alignment, smooth surface, and good quality work can be provided using formwork in grade beam.

Especially tighten the support so that the formwork does not open during concreting.

Tight formwork should be laid in such a way that slary does not come out of the formwork during concreting.

The cover block should be fixed after the shuttering work is completed.

The shuttering work must be done in stages. So that the speed of work can be increase. And at the same time, the quality of work is maintained. By working in this way the work can be done easily.

Pouring Concrete for Grade Beam

For grade beam concrete is made by mixing in a mixer machine at the site or ready mix concrete can also be used. If the quantity of concrete is high, ready-mix concrete can be used.

If concrete is formed on the site, care must be taken to ensure that the material is mixed in a proper mixer machine. proper mixing material gives strength high.

Adequate compaction of concrete should be done during concreting of grade beam.

The quality of concrete is maintained with adequate compaction and proper guidance the top layer is finished after concreting is finished.

Its side is opened 24 hours after the concrete is done.

Also Read : What Is Pier and Beam Foundation? | Advantages & Disadvantages of Pier and Beam Foundations | Difference Between Pier and Beam Foundation Vs Slab Foundation | Pier and Beam Foundation Cost

Advantages of Grade Beam

1. Grade beam works to connect two columns
2. Grade beam provides stability to the column
3. Forming a grade beam on the ground has transferred the load of the walls to the ground
4. Forming a grade beam on the ground acts as a plinth protection
5. The grade beam remains a part of the structural member.

Disadvantages of Grade Beam

1. The cost of the grade beam increases as per the requirement.
2. Shuttering of grade beam requires skilled labor.

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