Please engineers in the house. I want to start building a low cost 3 bedroom bungalow soon.Is it a must to use pillars for the building,am considering the cost but condition of the country now is so drastic. Planning to make the foundation very solid.It's going to be all ensuite.I'll be very grateful for your advices.Thanks all.

I'm not an engineer but recently built two bungalows.

I used pillars on my foundations because even though my land is rocky it is on a slope.

A local bricklayer that is familiar with the area can help ascertain what is needed.

Please note that I am not saying that you should not consult a soil expert , this depends on your risk aversion. I did not consult a soil expert and simply trusted those with knowledge of the area but added pillars.

Picture of your blueprint may help.

Thanks a lot egunmogaji,really appreciate your advice. Does it mean i can just use pillars for the foundation only?that would be okay so far the land is a solid and no sloppy land though.I'll attach the pix of the land in due course.

larryblack007:
Thanks a lot egunmogaji,really appreciate your advice. Does it mean i can just use pillars for the foundation only?that would be okay so far the land is a solid and no sloppy land though.I'll attach the pix of the land in due course.

is the land a dry one or waterlogged?
if it is waterlogged u may consider using pillars, but if it is dry one, no need.
it is just 3bedroom bungalow.
just make sure your block ratio per bag is moderate. i would advise nothing more than 30-35blocks per bag. that's all u need.
@bold, u can't use pillars for foundation only.

EgunMogaji:
I'm not an engineer but recently built two bungalows.

I used pillars on my foundations because even though my land is rocky it is on a slope.

A local bricklayer that is familiar with the area can help ascertain what is needed.

Please note that I am not saying that you should not consult a soil expert , this depends on your risk aversion. I did not consult a soil expert and simply trusted those with knowledge of the area but added pillars.

Picture of your blueprint may help.

hmmm
soil test for a 3 bedroom bungalow?

larryblack007:
Thanks a lot egunmogaji,really appreciate your advice. Does it mean i can just use pillars for the foundation only?that would be okay so far the land is a solid and no sloppy land though.I'll attach the pix of the land in due course.

The best decision maker is actually your local guys on site on the ground.

I cannot stress this enough.

PS: If it were me, I would at least do pillars for the foundation and terminate them at german floor level.

johnson232:

hmmm
soil test for a 3 bedroom bungalow?

Yes. I'm shocked that you asked this question actually.

Go and look at a Spyder880s build that the ground looked okay but they hit water very quickly as they dug the footings.

Soil test is not only about load carrying capacity but also about the consistency.

I'm not the educator on this but I ask you to do proper research so that you can be better informed. If you care.

EgunMogaji:


Yes. I'm shocked that you asked this question actually.
Go and look at a Spyder880s build that the ground looked okay but they hit water very quickly as they dug the footings.

Soil test is not only about load carrying capacity but also about the consistency.

I'm not the educator on this but I ask you to do proper research so that you can be better informed. If you care.

u are on point... just that i was much concerned abt the load carrying capacity. since it's a bungalow. i believe any prospective land buyer should enquire abt the land, before buying. people living around can help with useful info.

EgunMogaji:


The best decision maker is actually your local guys on site on the ground.

I cannot stress this enough.

PS: If it were me, I would at least do pillars for the foundation and terminate them at german floor level.

that will mean doing a ground beam to terminate the pillars? more cost, just for a 3 bungalow? or do u terminate columns at will in your build? & it isn't advisable, pillars are to be terminated at head level with head beam.
if the land is a dry one, no need for pillars, just good cement/block ratio is ok.

johnson232:

that will mean doing a ground beam to terminate the pillars? more cost, just for a 3 bungalow? or do u terminate columns at will in your build? & it isn't advisable, pillars are to be terminated at head level with head beam.
if the land is a dry one, no need for pillars, just good cement/block ratio is ok.

Respecting the fact that OP shared a financial concern which is admirable but I can only relate my own personal opinions based on my builds.

I have in at least two occasions refered the OP to professional builders of which I am none.

What I did on my personal build soothed me perfectly and was signed on by pros on my site.

We'll have to disagree that pillars are not necessary on small buildings.

There are two elements that I don't screw around with on buildings and they are foundation and roofing.

EgunMogaji:


Respecting the fact that OP shared a financial concern which is admirable but I can only relate my own personal opinions based on my builds.

I have in at least two occasions refered the OP to professional builders of which I am none.

What I did on my personal build soothed me perfectly and was signed on by pros on my site.

We'll have to disagree that pillars are not necessary on small buildings.

There are two elements that I don't screw around with on buildings and they are foundation and roofing.

ok sir... but pillars are not necessary for small bungalows...
most people introduced pillars into bungalows because of parapet.

johnson232:

ok sir... but pillars are not necessary for small bungalows...
most people introduced pillars into bungalows because of parapet.

You probably need to stop over generalizing. This is why buildings collapse all over the place in Nigeria.

What a building needs is best determined by lessoned and seasoned folks on the ground.

EgunMogaji:


You probably need to stop over generalizing. This is why buildings collapse all over the place in Nigeria.

What a building needs is best determined by lessoned and seasoned folks on the ground.

i support this totally, pillars are not necessary on small bungalows but only the local guys or an experienced builder can have the final say.

Some readings:

https://www.nairaland.com/1817286/low-cost-housing-case-study

https://www.nairaland.com/1809270/low-cost-housing-case-study

https://www.nairaland.com/1373960/construction-diary-semi-detached-bungalow

https://www.nairaland.com/2535814/construction-two-unit-semi-detached

https://www.nairaland.com/2417678/how-build-low-budget-bungalow

https://www.nairaland.com/2900100/construction-low-cost-three-bedroom

@larryblack007, where is your site located. Dat will speak a lot about studies or soil test u have to conduct. And eventually type of foundation to do. U can't just judge by sight seeing.

If you are sure the soil properties are OK and stable. Then you don't need any pillar what so ever.

The land is located at ayetoro-itele.... Any idea about the land there? I thank u all.

larryblack007:
The land is located at ayetoro-itele.... Any idea about the land there? I thank u all.

Ayetoro-itele is a sedimentary environment though some part r basesment... Meaning it's a transition zone.

Particular to your site, just try n get a good foundation, maybe raft. dnt cut cost here...

larryblack007:
The land is located at ayetoro-itele.... Any idea about the land there? I thank u all.

Ayetoro-itele axis is more of a dry land, I advise you use pillars in your foundation then terminate some at the German floor but make sure the 4 corners of the house still maintain pillars continuously.

adebaxton:


Ayetoro-itele axis is more of a dry land, I advise you use pillars in your foundation then terminate some at the German floor but make sure the 4 corners of the house still maintain pillars continuously.

Mr. Ade, your reputation precedes you Sir.

Might you be chanced to educate the house on this astute thought process?

Thanks.

EgunMogaji:


Mr. Ade, your reputation precedes you Sir.

Might you be chanced to educate the house on this astute thought process?

Thanks.

In order not to compromise quality, I advice the corners of the outer wall to have a continuous column at every 3m intervals, it gives support to the building and also minimize any crack whatsoever.

adebaxton:


In order not to compromise quality, I advice the corners of the outer wall to have a continuous column at every 3m intervals, it gives support to the building and also minimize any crack whatsoever.

are u talking abt the four corners, that is just 4 pillars or 3m along the exterior wall?
does this your 3m intervals column system apply to all bungalow, including those on dry land?

a bungalow to be built on a dry land, will have columns at 3m intervals, when it is not carrying parapet, what for?

skelefish:

are u talking abt the four corners, that is just 4 pillars or 3m along the exterior wall?
does this your 3m intervals column system apply to all bungalow, including those on dry land?

a bungalow to be built on a dry land, will have columns at 3m intervals, when it is not carrying parapet, what for?

You never can say if the op wants that. Low cost doesn't mean just an anyhow building.

adebaxton:

You never can say if the op wants that. Low cost doesn't mean just an anyhow building.

i am not making reference to the op sir, is abt your application of columns on bungalow.
what is your definition of anyhow building?
so a modest 3 bungalow without columns @ 3m intervals, but erected with quality vibrated blocks under strict supervision is an anyhow building?

skelefish:

i am not making reference to the op sir, is abt your application of columns on bungalow.
what is your definition of anyhow building?
so a modest 3 bungalow without columns @ 3m intervals, but erected with quality vibrated blocks under strict supervision is an anyhow building?

Okay so OP, you need to become an expert on what's a quality vibrated block is.

Else use pillars.

You'll find most use those pillars for peace of mind.

Cut cost by using 6" blocks above the German floor or grow your own food and vegetable.

But don't muck about with your foundation.

larryblack007:
The land is located at ayetoro-itele.... Any idea about the land there? I thank u all.

Aiyetoro.. That area after Ayobo.. I was around that area earlier today (Lafenwa). Even though I think you will need just a simple strip and pad foundation type, it will cost you just about 15-20k to run soil test in that axis. Do it and sleep better at night

Alternatively, Find a builder you trust his decisions / consult a bricklayer that has had many years building experience in that area / dig a well first so you can see soil stratification.. Etc etc..

There WI always be conflicting suggestions. And I pray you don't end up getting more confused

Better still contact KolaShangOne, he will surely guide u right.