Prefabricated EPS Elements used as Strip Foundation of a Single-family House with a Double Brick Wall

A new prefabricated lightweight element was designed for a strip foundation that was demonstrated on site as the base of a single-family house with a double brick wall. The element was placed on a stable surface underneath the top soil layer, just 0.25 m underneath the finished ground surface. The prefabricated element was designed to fulfil the requirements of low energy consumption required by the new Danish Building Regulations. The base of the house was cast in one working operation and completed within two working days. The element, made of expanded polystyrene, was designed to be handled on site by one man. A non-freezing ground was established by using outer insulation located at the outer plinth. Temperatures were measured at measurement points located at the outer plinth and onwards from these points underneath the building. In addition the soil temperature, the temperature within the concrete floor slab and indoor and outdoor temperatures and relative humidity were measured.