How to building a solid foundation on a Wetland in Accra-Ghana West Africa | Time Lapse Video

This Video was created by Jacob West Ltd for information and educational purposes for people who want to see, know and understand what happens in the construction of a house.
This video is a time lapse of how we built a solid foundation on a wetland on our East Legon site in Accra Ghana (West Africa).
00:00 Welcome
00:39 Land Location & Survey
01:49 Setting Out
02:18 Excavation
02:51 Column Beams & Base Installation
04:56 Block Work & Form Work (Columns)
05:29 Ground Beams Installation
06:20 Ground Beam Casting
07:06 Prestressed Beams & Blocks Installation
08:22 Foundation Casting
09:49 Filling
10:15 Compacting
10:58 Completion of Foundation

[@kwasiglobal4286]

Good to see pre-stressed beams being used more on builds in Ghana. Very cost effective technology

[@Jacobwestgh]

It really is! We appreciate the comment Mr Kwasi

[@breezyerny]

Great and informative video. My suggestion is for all of your guys to be in basic PPE. Someone was operating a machine on the site wearing sandals 😅

[@abigailesiamissah8578]

Thanks for the visual info, I'll be visiting your channel more often so that assignment becomes more easier

[@scatman8963]

I have no intention of building a house in Ghana but this was a great video, informative and interesting. Cheers

[@Jacobwestgh]

Thank you the comment

[@ruicastro8230]

Much respect . I appreciate good work. Question: Why use the blocks for the slab. Why can’t you simply fill it with gravel and then lay cement slab on top of it ?

[@olagokeadewusi8235]

so simple and explicit.....wonderful video

[@JohnElphata]

This is what I needed to watch.. Godbless you

[@nanaahenkora4931]

Looking at the water logg area I was expecting you apply DPM before casting the ground floor

[@errolosafo4314]

They said the prestress beams were to help with that. I don't know how though?

[@fredblair4307]

were i a much younger man I believe I would have loved to live in Ghana it seems the people are very happy hard working good luck with the build

[@Jacobwestgh]

Ghanaians are very harding work especially when they are highly motivated which makes them happy to work with a company like us. We thank you for the comment Mr Fred

[@marianfelicitynsiah-mensuo8278]

If I want you to do mine for me. How do I go about it

[@py20]

Good job, great narration; congrats!

[@Jacobwestgh]

Glad you liked it! Subscribe to see the next stage

[@susand8214]

Hi I would like to ask,you are building on wetland So where is the damp course level for the house In England you would put a damp course level in so the damp dies not rise through the foundation

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

Great video! Very informative!

[@Jacobwestgh]

Glad you enjoyed it and we thank you for taking time to leave us such a comment.

[@mcdavetv6124]

Nice work💪🏾💪🏾💥

[@lafete6863]

Great content bro. Love the British Ghanaian accent also. Big up👍

[@Jacobwestgh]

Lol.... thank you. Our CEO was born and raised in the UK and thank you for the comment

[@lawrencenwankwo5940]

Hi Jacob, i love the fact that you used precast slab method in order to cut down the quantity of concrete as against the normal traditional method, but my question is, why did you not fill the place to the brim with laterite or sharp sand, the pores can create vibrations or even water can gather in the space and cause capillary with time, since you didnt make provision for DPM

[@cranimermusaazi1415]

This is amazing

[@mccoysammy-boy9768]

Supper video. Well done

[@clementifangblog8583]

Interesting,this video help a lot.

[@mwangiwairegi2483]

I Like It, Very NICE !!

[@norislugasi7339]

I was expecting a raft foundation type to be used but this one is great also

[@koffidotse3304]

Nice!

[@jaystanley3996]

Great Video ... Incredible amount of detail and well narrated .. Keep up the good work .!

[@Jacobwestgh]

We appreciate the comment Mr Jay

[@alagiedarboe7005]

its very helpful ....my question is in this ,method,you don't really need the dpm??

[@ibrahimwazzan1162]

Hello , would u please advise on the specs of the beams used ( thickness ) , As well as specs of blocks used in filling inter-beams . Moreover , you mentioned in another reply that u have put a membrane between soil and beams , does it mean that you have filled the space with laterite before you laid the beams , I.e. the beams rested on : membrane 》laterite ? Thx

[@orionorobert2961]

Thanks for this very important and resourceful video, but what was the mix of the pre-cast concrete block

[@taslimademolaabdulsalam1027]

Stress beam concept is interesting. Any idea if this is suitable for high rise buildings? Say 3 story? Also, can you share cost comparison with traditional foundation scope ( filling, compacting, foundation beam Reinforcements and concrete)

[@Hiirok1]

I want to see how to build Hollow block foundations where you use 8/9 column such as 25*40 feet area.

[@kingdomhouse4885]

Very informative. Please i would lije ro know the difference between a german floor and this type with blocks. In which conditions do you decide which to use. Thank you for educating.

[@MrRad019]

Hello Jacob, thanks for educating us. I would like to ask, can we use a 16mm rod for the mat and also 16mm rod the foundation pillar? What will the impact be? Also can you use 16mm rod for the entire build assume the same build as yours is being put up.

[@awerejonathan1550]

Jacob, please this is beautiful but I need your help with this question, did you put in a plastic membrane before making the block work? Can the preestressed beams be used for three storey building apartments in a waterlogged area like this?

[@zowuzowu1650]

Great video, how will you advise me to handle my project in an area which seems low and has potential flooding issues. I've already completed my fence and was just told we'll need filling to elevate the level above the road. Will this break the walls when the filling is done?

[@ranayapappoe8006]

You guys must do massive filling before the columns and group beams,just a suggestion

[@filmfreek35]

Hello Jacob West please note that this is not a critique but more a query. Was the garage floor reinforced with iron rods before the concrete was poured? It’s just that in my mind considering the weight that that particular area will have to bear, it would be nice to know reinforcement was applied.

[@ArchSolo]

Greetings. Thank you for the great video. I was wondering if you can share some of the technical drawings in these videos so that we can better understand how things are built. Just a few curious thoughts I have, was the building engineered by a licensed structural engineer and if so, what is the name of the company please? How deep are the stilts below ground? How was the rest of the site graded to manage surface runoff to keep water away from the foundations? In addition to the stilts, where there footings cast before the foundation walls? Was there a reason for the block foundation instead of a cast in place concrete foundation? How were utilities like plumbing and sewage integrated into the foundations? And Finally, did the plumbing, and electrical engineers provide drawings to help with the coordination of the building as a whole please. Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance for your time and great video.

[@skvisions2838]

Keep up the Good work Jacob. Considering the ground to be water logged ,did you apply any form of dump proof Remedy ??

[@junity1]

The pre-stressed beam ( where blocks are being laid) looks thin/ small for that span of space. Thanks.

[@albetoodey2441]

Well done, we only saw digging the column and we didn't get to see you diigg the the foundation trench.

[@mamapigfarmghana2505]

New sub.

[@Jacobwestgh]

Thank you for Subing Mama. We appreciate the comment too

[@simplecodestudio8499]

What's reason of using pre-cast beam and block for the oversite concrete without filling?

[@danielucheibeh7971]

Just seeing this! I didn’t do German floor for my two storey building, what can I do and my first decken was very tick what can I do before laying blocks?

[@akehlaconstruction7930]

Please what is it that you applied on the ground soil before laying blocks?

[@bellousow2607]

can u please show as about the plumbing ....

[@macleanmilebah9715]

How did you lay the block before casting the concrete

[@emmanuelotieno515]

You have mentioned that you are using prestressed beams and i can only see you placing the hollow block ,can you elaborate

[@kmocansey7640]

How long did it take from start to finish up to this stage?

[@richarddzakpasu709]

Did you decide to use the prestressed beams for the foundation because of the wetness? Thank you sir

[@otengephraim7984]

I think I like what I am seeing but please do we necessary need hollow blocks to always start construction

[@ayanlakunolutayo7661]

pls how does this foundation stops upward water seepage through the walls as the soil is a wet soil?

[@myrabenson7341]

What kind of blocks did u use to fill up d floor b4 pouring d concrete and I noticed it wasn't filled with laterite meaning beneath d concrete is hollow. Will that still give a solid structure?

[@sevenfoldsolutions3351]

Please is it because the land is waterlog that the foundation slab was used with blocks and little concrete casted on it or it is another form of foundation slab to reduce the amount of concrete?

[@mabelagboado449]

Which blocks are been used on top before the concrete.con rod be use for the mesh or a perscrib mesh to be use

[@fremeyaa]

Please can i go up to 9th course of blocks before laying the beam on it.

[@kevinkay1594]

Hi Jocob how many bags of cement was used for the casting . Thank you

[@modernvillageconstructiong7499]

Plz what informed your decision to use prestressed beams??

[@jkusi7284]

Nice job, but very disappointed in the the laying of the foundation blocks. You could see spaces/gaps in-between the blocks which will definitely result in water buildup at the base in the future. I was hoping to get a contractor for my project in Ghana but obviously not in such manner. Please and please you guys should pay attention to details so we can wholeheartedly give our projects to you. Thanks.

[@errolosafo4314]

Which spaces are you talking about? Can you shoe the timeliness.

[@luluauma1886]

Can you do one on the black cotton soil and the other on a hilly area.

[@kirknarh9185]

Please, what's the total number of steel used in beam, coloum and reinforcement during the foundation?

[@masterminded2401]

Does the red compact absurd water?

[@frankdeenproject]

Mr Jacob if you don't mind how much does it cost you for the foundation l ve got a similar plot planning to use it for two storey building in the north am currently in the UK

[@gftvgamfootballfans2125]

I can’t thank you enough for this video 🙏🏿 you’ve rejuvenated my ambition to build a house on a type of land I a previous bad experience of damp after constructing a 4 bed house, I thought never again I’ll build on that piece of land even though there’s plenty space for another until I saw this video one year after you uploaded it. Am grateful, just one question I would to know if the prestressed beams are metal, wood or plastic?

[@onelove6971]

It’s good idea to consult a structural engineer who will give best guidance in your local area

[@errolosafo4314]

Also instead of the prestress beams can you just use broken rocks?

[@cubotcubot2068]

To build a garage what is the best method for the foundation to be built.

[@samulajonathan9219]

How do deal with dampness as you are using solid blocks from sand not burnt clay bricks

[@raghbirbhambra2282]

Did you put a damp course proof under the pre-stress beams? To stop the rising damp to the ground floor and walls!!!!

[@TSC889]

I don't think so

[@RecognizKaNTi]

Was the diameter of the pre-stress beams 16mm or 12mm ?

[@algbotoe4596]

Hi Jacob, you talked about removing the topsoil and digging a few feet down. Could you please tell me how deep the foundation was? How many feet did you dig in the soil?

[@titarobert3966]

good question i think about 1 metre

[@mawunakwasi753]

Since the soil is soft, why didn't you use mat foundation or use piles ?

[@samanyaelys266]

In foundation is it possible to apply water proof regents?

[@kwabenadankwa6237]

Are we not going to hear vibrations on the ground floor because of how the foundation was done?

[@ukghconst]

Look like surface water, the land is low. Waterlogged land you'd have to build it different to what your doing. Only .900 down standard footing depth. Did you do a test hole to to about 2.740 to see water level, if water logged, hole would have caved in. Had to use a raft.

[@bwalyamwambas2027]

IS RING BEAM NECCASSARY IN THE WALL OF A ONE STOREY HOUSE

[@patiencelamptey195]

So how much will a 2 storey self contained up to footing cost?

[@mabelagboado449]

Stress beam is what,can I see the picture of the stress beam

[@EmmanuelzakuZaku-ns9dy]

Can this be strong enough?

[@pipsmade]

Whats the cost estimate fir using the pre stressed beams and hollow blocks for this type of foundation?

[@mawunakwasi753]

Was the excavation done manually ?? 🤔

[@user-zm5jx4qz1s]

Please how many plots for the four bed rooms

[@chimarokeokeke3739]

How come there was no ground beams on the garage side

[@komlanutakor2528]

Hello Can this method be used for foundation on none wetlands also. I like the concept as u can channel the cost of filling into other works

[@kelvinonoja5789]

What's usually done on a non wetlands that's what's been done here

[@EmmanuelzakuZaku-ns9dy]

While no feeling in the foundation?

[@ab.swa22henry34]

I am not sure if I saw any plastic protectors between the soil and the blocks prior to casting the concrete.

[@nashvilletv8215]

exactly,with our that the base of the house would be chipping off and bottom paint would be peeling off..

[@musahhamid5461]

How many feet down and how many story high pls

[@Mg-wd6id]

Thanks for the great video .I see you didn't place wiremesh or BRC before casting the concrete ,will it be strong enough to hold it without cracking in the future ?

[@Jacobwestgh]

The beams themselves have a reinforced steel core hence the reason why we didn't use the steel mesh as some form of reinforcement

[@dapfelawo8745]

Can you use this type of foundation for a 3 storey building?

[@kelvinonoja5789]

No

[@ladycheddar-afromoneyfarme2763]

Still, this foundation wasn't damp proof and would absorb the water in the ground which was very necessary for this project.

[@Jacobwestgh]

There is a damp proof membrane underneath. Its just unfortunate that this process was not captured on camera

[@ladycheddar-afromoneyfarme2763]

@@Jacobwestgh Really, and jet the brickwork was still absorbing water as you were building and filming the creation of the foundation.

[@MELCANOSK]

Hi, we have a land that is 800sqaure meter and is a wet land, we wanna build a community centre in South Africa Africa mpumalanga, is it possible what kind of advices can you give us?

[@allvidz1619]

Pls what is the total cost of the foundation?

[@eyetube64]

Hi Jacob. It seems that your concrete bricks are absorbing a lot of water. Aren't you afraid of that weakening your foundation?

[@knowledgeispower9314]

Hi, Jacob how can I get the same plan for this project?!

[@Jacobwestgh]

Our floor plans are specifically tailored to the design specifications of our clients and as such we try to not use the same floor plans multiple times. You can contact us directly and we can design something that will better suit your needs

[@Engrekeneike]

Nice and educative Was hoping to see the prestressed beams But you didn’t do that.

[@errolosafo4314]

They have a separate video that shows that check their videos

[@ufookoro1]

Lovely video. Just one question I have with regards to the foundation. The land has been determined to be wet and may subject the building to suffer from rising damp? Have measures been taken to protect the substructure from damp issues? or is the concrete casting sufficient to protect the ground floor from damp in future? Kind Regards

[@Jacobwestgh]

In order to avoid the water from creeping up the building and weakening it over time, we laid a Damp Proof Membrane in the ground before we started the footing of the foundation. It's just unfortunate that this process was not captured on camera.

[@Jacobwestgh]

@Wendall Church The reason for only filling the car port is because the weight of a vehicle may not hold on the prestressed beams therefore we used the traditional option for that area.

[@Jacobwestgh]

Also may I add that the prestressed beams technique means the building is seating on pillars (stilts). So the base of the foundation isn't resting on wet land

[@susanapollo284]

Great

[@administratorsowners1508]

@@Jacobwestgh chief what about underneath the individual columns?

[@koffidotse3304]

Simple thing to do must to fill the whole place with gravel later use the water proof cement. Very simple. In the foundation self the should have use iron rods. But not bad. Fear nature.

[@independenceandstability9935]

No damp proof membrane?

[@estheroppong4782]

I thought you were gonna use that black rubber to prevent the building from soaking.

[@Wildfusion9538]

Hi great Job,Engr from Nigeria,I would love to know what you used to demarcate the foundation before piling blocks,are those 2/3 woods or bamboos? The piling is very accurate and neat.i want to know how you arranged it so neatly Did u leave the wood under the casting?I work on swampy areas alot,I am looking for innovative and cost effective ways of building foundation thank you.I await your response.

[@ariyoemmanueloludare1293]

They are neither woods or bamboos. Those are precast beams, though slender.

[@mlungisimajozi1936]

How much did it cost you in rands

[@sonakika7641]

How do one trace the rooms after completing the OVERSITE CONCRETE ?

[@errolosafo4314]

They use the protruding beams as guide

[@dasaintshy]

I didn’t see reinforcements in the footing, no damp roofing of the walls of the substructure? Just a matter of time, hmmm

[@Shadow-Moses]

You should put the finish product at the end of the videos so we see how your handy works looks like.. to me without finish house picture or video to show for doesn't really proof anything to me, besides that good job bro 👍

[@Jacobwestgh]

Well noted!

[@ariana0135]

good job bt it was beter to put iron net before the concrete work nice

[@errolosafo4314]

Why is that so .what do we need a mesh ?