AN INNOVATIVE FOUNDATION SYSTEM FOR TIMBER BUILDINGS: STEEL WELDEDMESH GABION BOXES INFILLED WITH AGGREGATES

An adequate foundation system for timber buildings has to guarantee both load bearing capacity and durability of the wooden elements, providing a proper and efficient separation layer between the ground and the upper structure. Commonly, practitioners use reinforced concrete slab or beams as structural foundation system. Usually concrete foundation is casted directly into the ground providing an adequate structural solution but, at the same time, this traditional technique is in contrast with other essential demands of timber constructions as prefabrication, lightness and low environmental impact. This paper presents an innovative prefabricated foundation system using steel welded mesh gabion boxes filled with stone aggregates developed to be removed at the end of life of timber structure. The results of the experimental tests, conducted to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the foundation system, are presented in this paper.