Foundation Wall For Modular Structures

Abstract

A composite panel for use in constructing a foundation wall for a building, the panel having: a main wall having an exterior side and an interior side; a plurality of horizontal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; a plurality of vertical stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; and complementary first and second lips positioned on opposite ends.

1 . A panel for use in constructing a foundation wall for a building, the panel comprising:
 a main wall having an exterior side and an interior side;   a plurality of horizontal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall;   a plurality of vertical stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; and   complementary first and second lips positioned on opposite ends;   wherein the panel is made from composite.   
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of diagonal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall. 
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 2  wherein the lips further comprise a plurality of holes configured to facilitate attachment of the panel to other panels. 
   
   
       4 . The panel of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the horizontal stiffeners, the vertical stiffeners and the diagonal stiffeners further comprise a plurality of holes configured to facilitate the placement of rebar through the panel. 
   
   
       5 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the exterior side of the main wall is textured to look like stucco. 
   
   
       6 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the exterior side of the main wall is textured to look like loose dirt. 
   
   
       7 . A method of constructing a foundation wall for a structure, comprising the steps of:
 placing the structure at a predetermined height above ground;   digging a trench around the perimeter of the structure, the trench being configured to have a depth necessary to accommodate the foundation wall;   attaching a plurality of composite panels to the structure such that the panels hang approximately vertically in the trench, each of the panels comprising:
 a main wall having an exterior side and an interior side; 
 a plurality of horizontal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; 
 a plurality of vertical stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; and 
 complementary first and second lips positioned on opposite ends; 
   attaching the plurality of panels together; and   thereafter placing an anchoring material in the trench around the panels to create a perimeter footing holding the panels in place and forming the foundation wall.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of attaching the plurality of panels together further comprises attaching the first lip of one of the plurality of panels to a second lip of a first adjacent panel and attaching the second lip of the one of the plurality of panels to a first lip of a second adjacent panel. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of attaching the plurality of panels together further comprises attaching a corner piece to each two panels adjacent to each corner of the structure. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of backfilling dirt against the foundation wall. 
   
   
       11 . A kit for constructing a foundation wall for a building, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of composite panels, each panel comprising:
 a main wall having an exterior side and an interior side; 
 a plurality of horizontal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; 
 a plurality of vertical stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; and 
 complementary first and second lips positioned on opposite ends; and 
   a plurality of fasteners for attaching the panels to each other.   
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the panels further comprise a plurality of diagonal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall. 
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the exterior side of the main wall of the panels is textured to look like stucco. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein the exterior side of the main wall of the panels is textured to look like stucco. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of corner pieces, each corner piece being configured to attach two of the panels adjacent to each corner of the building. 
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein each corner piece is textured to match the plurality of panels. 
   
   
       17 . A building having a foundation wall comprising:
 a plurality of connected composite panels attached to the building, each panel comprising:
 a main wall having an exterior side and an interior side; 
 a plurality of horizontal stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; 
 a plurality of vertical stiffeners extending from the interior side of the main wall; and 
 complementary first and second lips positioned on opposite ends; and 
   an anchoring material anchoring the plurality of panels.   
   
   
       18 . The building of  claim 16  wherein the foundation wall further comprises a plurality of corner pieces, each corner piece attaching two panels adjacent to each corner of the building.