Not dissing.. ....Just comparing codes and differences in different parts of the USA I have never seen beams built under the garage floors like that, unless the beam was going to support some excessive weight like a lift attachment point or monstorous machinery mounting point. (of course, I am taliking about garages with trussed roofs and no load bearing walls inside)

Here in my state, a hobbyist garage might go to 6" thick floor, but surely never having beams out in the middle like that....and it's super rare "here", to see rebar either! I think the concrete mix is special to allow no rebar...I am pretty positive on that. Residential garages are likely 4" with no beams, just frost walls on the perimiter only.

We have codes here for frost wall depths of 42"... but there is supposed to be a new system around here to allow buried rigid insulation placed at 45* angles downward around the perimiter, that allows way less of a frost wall depth.


Hey Roger, I've been following your build from the initial planning. You yakking about the old service station look, now has me hooked on trying to put a similar facade on my existing shop....a porch overhang with that same roofing ...and one of those nice doors you showed ..thanks for the inspiration

I think some areas are requiring prep like this to prevent subterranean (sp?) termites. They've been a problem in Ca. when building over old orchards. The soil is treated, covered and then concrete laid. Don't know about Texas tho...

Termites are a horrible problem in San Angelo.
That's why I went beyond code. I used 2X8 forms when only 2X6 were required. The vapor barrier wasn't required either but I wanted that and I did do the termite treating prior. The 2 beams going across the short side weren't required but the one down the center on the long side was.
It seems like when doing a foundation, it is better to err on the side of overkill vs. the other way around. This is an expensive foundation tho.
Should have a couple more pics today of the pouring. I am out-of-town on business today, so my wife will be conducting things. She just called and said the city gave us the green tag. I hope she gets some good pics.

Ok.

Got it poured today. Looking good IMO.