Building a steel building is a process in which most attention is focused on the impressive superstructure – trusses, framing or modern sandwich panel cladding. However, what determines the durability, safety and stability of the whole building is hidden deep in the ground.
Law and standards: Eurocode 7 as the benchmark
Geotechnical design is now based on rigorous European standards, specifically Eurocode 7 (EN 1997). This standard abandons traditional global safety factors in favour of the limit state method. In practice, this means the designer must verify two key aspects:
– ultimate limit state (ULS), to prevent the foundation from failing,
– and the serviceability limit state (SLS), so that settlement does not exceed permissible limits (usually up to 50 mm for industrial buildings).
An absolute requirement that must not be forgotten is a professional ground investigation. Geotechnical boreholes determine the bearing capacity of the subsoil, the layer structure and the groundwater level. Without reliable geotechnical documentation, it is impossible to prepare a safe foundation design, which can expose the investor to huge costs for subsequent ground improvement.
Types of foundations – pads, strips or a raft?
The choice of foundation method depends on two factors: forces transferred by the structure and soil parameters.
- Pad foundations: The most popular and economical solution for framed buildings. Each steel column is mounted on a separate pad – a rectangular reinforced concrete block that transfers axial forces, shear forces and bending moments to the ground.
- Raft foundation: Recommended on ground with low bearing capacity, in areas affected by mining subsidence or with a high water table. The raft spreads the weight of the building over its entire area, minimising the risk of uneven settlement. Importantly, with a raft the investor also gains a ready base for an industrial floor slab, which speeds up the work.
- Deep foundations (piles and micropiles): Used in extreme situations, when the load-bearing soil layers lie several or a dozen or so metres below ground. This requires specialist equipment and is the most expensive option.
Key technical parameters: frost and water
One of the most important technical requirements is to place the foundations below the frost depth. In Poland, depending on the region, this is 0.8 m to 1.4 m (1.0 m is often assumed). This avoids frost heave, which could deform the structure.
Protection against moisture is equally important. Foundations must be resistant to groundwater by using concrete with a high watertightness class (W8 to W12) and surface waterproofing (bituminous coatings, roofing felt, PVC membranes). Proper waterproofing protects not only the concrete but, above all, the steel column bases against corrosion.
How to avoid costly mistakes?
A solid foundation is an investment in peace of mind. The most important principles for an investor are:
- Never skip the ground investigation – it determines safety.
- Make sure anchoring is precise – the building's columns must fit the foundation to the millimetre.
- Choose tried and tested solutions – MatBud structures are hot-dip galvanised as standard, which, combined with a good foundation, guarantees durability for decades.
Innovative “parallel workstreams” with MatBud
In the traditional model, the investor waits for the design, then for the permit and finally for the structure to be fabricated. At MatBud we propose an alternative approach. Because, in addition to made-to-order modular steel buildings, we also have ready-made steel structures (500 tonnes in stock, available immediately), the process can run in parallel.
When buying a ready-made structure, the investor receives full structural and strength calculations included in the price. This is key information for the foundation designer – they don't have to wait for work on the building frame to be completed, because they receive ready load data. As a result, the foundations can be designed and built faster, and the investor avoids the risk of steel price rises by securing the goods from the outset.
If you are planning to build, try our configurator. In a few minutes it will let you estimate the scope of the investment, choose the dimensions (e.g. 15 m, 18 m or 22 m wide) and get a preliminary quote – a solid starting point for discussing foundations and erection.
FAQ
These are prefabricated structural components of a building, already held in the manufacturer's stock, which can quickly be allocated to a specific investment. This reduces the waiting time associated with fabricating a structure from scratch.
Yes. We offer modular steel structures available from stock, designed for self-assembly. We supply a complete set of components with documentation and instructions, so erection can be carried out by a local contractor.
Can a ready-made steel structure be adapted to the investor's needs?
Yes. The available structures can serve as the basis for a building with a specific purpose, e.g. warehousing, production or agriculture. The key is to match the structural parameters to the building's dimensions, location and intended use.
What are the main advantages of a ready-made steel structure?
The biggest benefit is a shorter investment process. The investor does not have to wait for the full fabrication cycle of the steel components, can secure the structure against material price changes earlier and can move on to the next stages of the project sooner.
Who is a ready-made steel building a good solution for?
It is particularly beneficial for companies and farms that need to increase their storage, production or usable space quickly. It works especially well when the start date of the investment is of great business importance.
