I have a slab that house was on and burnt down. Slab is solid but makes it heavier of course but wanted to dig out on side and go under to add two rooms. It’s about 12″ thick. I also have two red iron beams that a trailer house was built on and was considering using the beams to support slab as I went under. Lots of digging and support of course to do so but is this workable. I’ve been in construction all my life but never a builder from beginning to end so was needing opinions on this. The rooms would cover the center of slab and I could leave the red iron support along with wall support. Anyone is this possible???
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Replies
What gives an elevated concrete slab the ability to span reasonable distances is the reinforcing steel typically used.
If you're working with what was once a slab-on-ground floor (or a floating slab foundation), it is unlikely to have the proper reinforcing arrangement to safely span whatever distance you envision between supports.
Nice (but ambitious) thinking but unlikely to be achievable.
Thanks for reply. I was considering that myself being that the slab itself isn't going to be perfectly flat underneath for support and could break slab and put me in danger. I definitely don't want foundation to break and crack over time either