Combined foundation and backfill system

Abstract

A backfill material fabricated from shredded rubber tires may be used to backfill different types of foundations to provide lateral support to the foundation without creating lateral forces that will push in a foundation wall. The backfill material may be used over substantially the entire height of the foundation wall. The backfill material also allows water to pass through the backfilled-section and into a drain pipe. In one embodiment of the invention, the backfill material is provided in one inch square pieces that will not settle and will not clog the openings in the drain pipe.

1 . A foundation comprising: 
 a footer;    a foundation wall disposed on the footer;    a drain pipe disposed adjacent the footer, the drain pipe defining openings;    a backfill material disposed over the drain pipe and adjacent the foundation wall;    the backfill material disposed over substantially the entire height of the foundation wall; and    the backfill material including rubber pieces.    
     
     
         2 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the backfill material is fabricated from discarded pneumatic tires.  
     
     
         3 . The foundation of  claim 1 , further comprising top soil disposed over the backfill material.  
     
     
         4 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber pieces of the backfill material is sized in the range of ¾ inch by ¾ inch to 1¾ inch to 1¾ inch.  
     
     
         5 . The foundation of  claim 4 , wherein substantially all of the backfill material is rubber pieces.  
     
     
         6 . The foundation of  claim 5 , wherein the rubber pieces are from shredded tires.  
     
     
         7 . A foundation comprising: 
 a foundation wall;    a backfill material disposed adjacent the foundation wall;    the backfill material disposed over substantially the entire height of the foundation wall; and    the backfill material including rubber pieces.    
     
     
         8 . The foundation of  claim 7 , wherein the backfill material is fabricated from discarded pneumatic tires.  
     
     
         9 . The foundation of  claim 7 , further comprising top soil disposed over the backfill material.  
     
     
         10 . The foundation of  claim 7 , wherein the backfill material includes pieces having an average size of one inch square.  
     
     
         11 . The foundation of  claim 7 , wherein the rubber pieces of the backfill material is sized in the range of ¾ inch by ¾ inch to 1¾ inch to 1¾ inch.  
     
     
         12 . The foundation of  claim 11 , wherein substantially all of the backfill material is rubber pieces.  
     
     
         13 . The foundation of  claim 7 , wherein substantially all of the backfill material is rubber pieces.  
     
     
         14 . The foundation of  claim 7 , further comprising a drain pipe disposed under the backfill material; the drain pipe having openings.  
     
     
         15 . The foundation of  claim 14 , wherein the rubber pieces are sized larger than the drain openings of the drain pipe.  
     
     
         16 . A foundation comprising: 
 a footer;    a vertical foundation wall disposed on the footer, the vertical foundation wall having an outer surface that is substantially vertical;    a drain pipe disposed adjacent the footer outside the vertical outer surface of the foundation wall, the drain pipe defining openings sized smaller than ¾ inch;    a backfill material disposed over the drain pipe;    the backfill material contacting the vertical outer surface of the foundation wall;    the backfill material disposed over substantially the entire height of the foundation wall;    top soil disposed over the top of the backfill material; and    the backfill material including rubber pieces that limit the lateral force of the backfill material against the foundation wall; the rubber pieces of the backfill material being sized in the range of ¾ inch by ¾ inch to 1¾ inch to 1¾ inch to prevent compression.    
     
     
         17 . The foundation of  claim 16 , wherein the rubber pieces of the backfill material average 1 inch by 1 inch.  
     
     
         18 . The foundation of  claim 16 , wherein the rubber pieces of the backfill material are fabricated from shredded tires.