Footing tube foundation

Abstract

A building foundation form apparatus and method uses column assemblies to transfer building loads into a concrete footing formed using a flexible tube form element with slits on the top to allow the column assemblies to make contact with the concrete. Rigid panels infill between the floor assembly and footing, to allow back filling.

1 . A building foundation apparatus adapted to vertically engage the floor assembly of a building structure with the ground, comprising: 
 a. A column member having an upper and lower end;    b. A fastening means for connecting the upper end of column member to floor assembly;    c. A rigid panel of sufficient area to infill between the floor assembly and a portion of column member height;    d. Fastening means for connecting rigid panel to floor assembly and column members;    e. A flexible tube form element positioned under said column members and rigid panel;    f. A flowable and settable foundation material placed in said flexible tube form element so as to inflate and engage the lower column end and lower rigid panel edge;    
   
   
       2 . A foundation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of column is supported by an adjustable pier;  
   
   
       3 . A foundation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid panel has insulation capability;  
   
   
       4 . A building foundation apparatus adapted to vertically engage the floor assembly of a building structure with the ground, comprising: 
 a. A column member having an upper and lower end;    b. A fastening means for connecting the upper end of column member to floor assembly;    c. A rigid panel of sufficient area to infill between the floor assembly and a portion of column member height;    d. Fastening means for connecting the rigid panel to floor assembly and column members;    e. A flowable and settable foundation material into which said lower end of column member is embedded;    f. A flexible tube form element with slits on the upper side such that: 
 i. the lower end of the column member penetrates the slit,  
 ii. the flowable and settable foundation material is contained by the flexible tube form element;  
   
   
   
       5 . A foundation apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the lower end of column is supported by an adjustable pier;  
   
   
       6 . A foundation apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the rigid panel has insulation capability;  
   
   
       7 . A method for installing a building foundation apparatus comprising: 
 a. Attaching a column, having an upper and lower end, such that said upper end is fastened to floor assembly, while lower end is suspended above ground;    b. Attaching a rigid panel such that the upper edge of panel is fastened to floor assembly and body of panel attached to column members;    c. Laying out flexible tube form element on ground under said columns and rigid panels;    d. Pumping a flowable and settable material into said flexible tube form element so as to inflate and engage the lower end of column and lower edge of rigid panel;    
   
   
       8 . A method for installing a building foundation apparatus comprising: 
 a. Attaching a column, having an upper and lower end, such that said upper end is fastened to floor assembly, while lower end is suspended above ground;    b. Attaching a rigid panel such that the upper edge of panel is fastened to floor assembly; body of panel attached to column members;    c. Laying out flexible tube form element on ground under said columns and rigid panels;    d. Cutting slits on top of flexible tube form element and inserting column base inside the flexible tube form element;    e. Pumping a flowable and settable material into said flexible tube form element so as to inflate and engage the lower end of column and lower edge of rigid panel.