Hello, I have an empty lot on the Alafia river near Tampa. I must build an elevated home by code (10ft above BFE) and I'm looking for advice on elevated ICFs. I will not be doing a DIY project. I would like the ground level to be enclosed and secure for garage, storage, workshop and maybe an indoor outdoor entertainment space. What type of foundation should I use that is safe and most cost effective? I was told a pier foundation would be the cheapest, if so, what would I use to enclose the bottom besides wood?

Could I build ICF from the ground up since I would like the bottom enclosed? Would this be cost effective? I would essentially be building a two story structure and only be using one floor for living space. The fact that I don't have to build a separate garage would offset some of the cost I guess.

My lot is 90x90 so the home will be a simple rectangle shape nothing fancy. The max dimensions would be 40ft deep and 75ft wide, all though, I probably won't go that big more like 40x60.

Any advice and insight would be helpful. Thank you.





 

The thing I see being done in recent years is to have a lot of openings in the lower level to allow moving water to go through the structure without knocking it down. Seems like ICF would be a waste for that. I would use well reinforced concrete for the first level, with large openings along the direction of flow of the river. They could be closed in with something designed to give way in a flood, thus saving the structure. In your area, the only thing I could see bringing the Alafia up that high would be storm surge. The water would rise fairly slowly, but could exit fast enough to cause trouble. Nothing along the lines of a flash flood, though. I would use water-proof finishes in the lower level, or plan on refinishing it after a flood.

Having lived in FL, and having seen what water can do, I would have the structure well engineered, with particular attention to the footings. FL is basically sand, which can be easily moved in a flood. You'll probably want deep footings for that reason.

We have built a couple of ICF houses close to the beach-sandy soil application, the arch/engrs almost always have footers on pilings, then we usually pour the slab and then run the walls up off the slab, everything connected by rebar.
we install flood vents about a foot up off the slab in the walls, and that level is usually garage space so they typically have a garage door on both ends of the house. we are doing one now i can send you pics if you like.

Thanks for the reply and I would like to see those pics. My email is [email protected]. Thanks again, this is very much appreciated.

I built an concrete post and beam home on pad footing. ICF above. 12"X12" posts on 17' centers beams were 12" wide and 16" tall" Pads were 30"X30" on solid soil. base was like a parking garage.

rodaman
if you wnat more info email me at
insuldeckflorida at aol dot com

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