To install sliding gates, you need a reliable base, made taking into account several specific requirements. We propose to consider the main questions regarding the degree of deepening of such a foundation, the location of embedded elements, the reinforcement scheme and the stages of work.
Sliding gate foundation configuration
Due to the significant length of the leaf outreach, the base of the sliding gate experiences significant loads in the form of a longitudinal roll. To counteract them, the foundation must have a sufficient area of contact with the ground, the correct distribution of impacts and high structural strength. At the same time, it is important to ensure the minimum consumption of materials - reinforcement and concrete mix.
As practice has shown, the most advantageous form factor for the foundation for sliding gates is a U-shaped structure, consisting of two pillars and an upper belt connecting them together. The first post is located parallel to the post that limits the gate opening from the side of the drive mechanism. The second column is removed from the opening exactly at the distance of the lower beam, which is connected to the sash by a brace. In the general case, manufacturers of sliding gates make a beam with a length of at least half the width of the main leaf.
1 - channel No. 20; 2 —reinforcing cage; 3 - electric drive; 4 - roller bearings; 5 - supporting rollers; 6 - gate leaf; 7 - gear rack; 8 - end roller; 9 - lower catcher; 10 - upper trap
The upper tie belt must contain embedded anchoring elements intended for fastening the support rollers and the drive mechanism. In some cases, it is possible to recommend laying a steel channel numbered from 16 to 20 into the upper face. With this foundation design, it is much easier to position the drive with support roller blocks and fix them by welding, but such a device is not without drawbacks. The main risk factor is considered to be corrosion processes that occur due to the lack of a protective layer of concrete, while the destruction of the structure of not only the upper belt, but the entire foundation is possible. Also, the smooth surface of the channel does not provide a sufficiently high adhesion to the concrete mass, so reinforcement must be present in any case.
If a set of drive mechanisms for sliding gates is purchased before the start of foundation construction, it will be much easier to get by with anchors that are installed in the thickness of the concrete product. If the exact mounting dimensions for the actuator are not known, a universal mounting plane must be provided. In the most reliable version of the device, it is represented by a wide metal plate with multiple attachment points to the foundation reinforcement.
Operating loads
To arrange a foundation for sliding gates with minimal cost materials and labor efforts, one should understand the mechanics of his work. Here, the fact that the structure has a limited number of concentrated loads plays into the hands.
Since the main impact on the foundation from the sash is in its closed position, the load distribution scheme can be calculated quite simply. The foundation pillar, located closer to the opening, serves as a fulcrum and perceives the main mass of the gate, directed along the vertical axis. Since in the closed position the outermost free part of the leaf rests on the catcher, the moment of curvature and wind loads can be neglected.
The second column, located at a distance from the opening, is loaded in the opposite direction. The stability of the foundation is largely determined by the thickness of the connecting belt and the shape of the second pillar. To counteract pull-out loads, its inward-facing face is bevelled at an angle of 10-15°. At the same time, the strength of the upper chord can be calculated from the bending resistance of an ordinary concrete beam: the force acting vertically upwards will be equal to the weight of the gate multiplied by the ratio of the lengths of the lever arms, that is, the ratio of the main leaf width to the length of the lower beam outreach.
Do not neglect temporary loads. The U-shaped shape of the foundation is not particularly beneficial for counteracting the forces of frost heaving, so the pillars must either have a length exceeding the freezing depth, or be surrounded by a hygroscopic incompressible shell.
The easiest way to excavate
Excavation work begins with digging a trench under the upper armored belt. It adjoins closely to the base of the fence without a rigid connection with it, has a width of at least 40 cm and a depth corresponding to the current load class. To be sure of the strength of the binding belt, you can follow a simple scheme: the depth of the underground part is 25 cm with a sash weight of up to 1000 kg and 35-40 cm with a sash weight of over 1000 kg and its length is not more than 5 meters.
At the second stage, pits are dug for concreting the pillars. The walls of the pits can be used as ready-made formwork only if the soil is not too loose. If the walls are crumbling heavily, holes should be dug to a width of 10-15 cm more on each side for panel formwork. The cross section of the pillars is a square, the side of which is equal to the width of the upper connecting belt.
Digging holes for poles can be quite simple with an ordinary bayonet shovel. After notching along the edges and loosening the bottom, excavation is carried out with a plaster ladle. When the depth of the holes becomes too large and the excavation cannot be done by hand, the bucket handle should be lengthened. steel pipe and rake loosened soil, pressing the bucket against the wall of the pit.
When digging a hole for the second pillar, it is necessary to increase its width from the inside by about 1/5 of the depth of the foundation. Another option is to deepen the second column at least 1/3 more than the length of the first. To ensure the slope of the inner edge, a piece of foam board is placed in the pit.
After the pits are dug, an ASG is poured on their bottom with a layer of about 20 cm and the pillow is rammed with a deck. Further, polyethylene film bags are put into the formwork, corresponding to the dimensions of the "legs" of the foundation. The upper edges of the bags must be cut and wrapped to the bottom of the trench under the armored belt. The above-ground part of the foundation is formed by formwork from boards 200-250 mm wide, the upper edge of which is displayed in a common horizon. Waterproofing is also laid in the formwork and trench - a polyethylene sleeve, the upper edges of which are turned outward and fastened with brackets to the outer sides of the decks. Inside, the overlaps of the film are fixed with ordinary adhesive tape.
Reinforcing cage assembly
Reinforcement of the foundation for sliding gates is represented by three rectangular frames, each of which has four rows of working reinforcement with a thickness of about 14 mm. Two frames are assembled for the pillars in such a way that protective layers of concrete of at least 60 mm are formed on all sides, and the release of the rods upwards is about 30-35 cm.
Reinforcement of the foundation for sliding gates: 1 - working reinforcement Ø14 mm; 2 - sand-gravel mixture; 3 - concrete B15; 4 - structural reinforcement Ø10 mm; 5 - working fittings Ø 16 mm; 6 - embedded anchors
The reinforcement of the binding belt must provide sufficient strength to hold the weight of the gate. Due to the direction of action of the loads, reinforced reinforcement is installed in the upper part of the belt - these are two threads of corrugated reinforcement with a diameter of 16-18 mm. The bottom row of two rods 12-14 mm thick is designed to provide overall stability concrete structure and counteracting temporary loads. Between themselves, the working reinforcement is connected by rectangular clamps made of structural smooth reinforcement with a thickness of 8-10 mm.
After laying the upper reinforcement cage, it is connected to the reinforcement of the pillars. Rods located with inside, bend at the level of the lower row of reinforcement of the belt, the outer ones - at the level of the upper one. The ligation of the rods of different frames should be carried out with at least two wire clamps, the length of the overlap should be at least 20 diameters of the reinforcement used.
Installation of mortgages for fastening the gate
Embedded anchors for fastening the drive are installed in groups in three places: in the center of each column, where the support rollers will be installed, and in an arbitrary place between them, where the drive mechanism itself is planned to be placed.
Studs with threaded ends are used as embedded elements. The reverse ends of the studs are bent in the form of a semicircular hook about 150 mm long, and the thread is protected with adhesive tape. Contrary to popular belief, mortgages of this type should not be tied to the bars of the working reinforcement so as not to exert a bending effect on them. In general, the hooks are located inside the upper reinforcement cage and directed towards the center of the concrete product.
To ensure the correct alignment of the embeds with the bases of the rollers and the drive mechanism, an installation template is made for them. It can be a metal plate, an OSB sheet, or a frame made of wooden slats. In the template, according to the marking scheme, holes are drilled into which the straight parts of the embedded hooks are threaded and locked with nuts on both sides. The resulting assembly is immersed in the foundation immediately after the concrete is poured and aligned with the planned gate installation plane.
Foundation pouring
If the depth of the pits for the foundation pillars reaches 2 meters, when dropping the concrete mix, there is a risk of its delamination. In this case, the pouring is carried out with the frame installed and the concrete is carefully compacted by pinning in layers of 40-50 cm. in them the frame of the pillars.
For the foundation for sliding gates, concrete of a strength class of at least B15 with a filler fraction 4-5 times less than the distance between the nearest reinforcement elements should be used. To increase the mobility of the mixture, it makes sense to prepare it in a weak soapy solution.
After pouring the mixture, the upper plane is smoothed and the foundation is covered with plastic wrap. After 3-4 days, the above-ground formwork can be removed and the collapsed edges can be plastered if necessary. Installation of drive technology for gates is recommended to start no earlier than the middle of the total exposure time, that is, two weeks after pouring.
Sliding gates, being one of the most reliable and durable structures, have recently gained great popularity. By installing them, you can not worry about the safety of your home and forget about repair work for a long time. However, it is important to properly make the foundation for the gate, as this is the basis for the supports, allowing the wings to move freely. The foundation bears the load of the entire structure, so the serviceability of the gate and the duration of its service life will depend on the correct installation.
The foundation makes the structure easy to use, fully revealing its capabilities. If it is installed incorrectly, then problems may arise in the operation of the entire structure, as well as automation. Therefore, before work, it is necessary to accurately calculate the size, depth and location of the elements. To find the optimal solution, a diagram or drawing is useful.
Preparation for pouring the foundation for sliding gates
The foundation for sliding gates can hardly be called standard, so you should accurately calculate its parameters, determine optimal location and then start digging the trench.
The foundation for sliding gates is most often installed on the inside of the structure, on the edge of the travel line. The solution should be poured from the side in which the sash will open. It is also necessary to follow the rules that help create a reliable design. The width of the foundation must be at least half the width of the gate opening, that is, more than 60 cm. It is useful to know the depth of soil freezing in order to dig a trench below this level.
Correct marking of the future trench
This stage is very important, so you should take it seriously enough. The scheme of the foundation for sliding gates begins with marking the place for the pit. Measure a distance equal to half the width of the opening. Step back from the fence into the territory by 50 cm. Thus, the front of the upcoming work related to laying the foundation for the structure will become clear.
How to prepare a mortgage element?
For the foundation, you will need a channel equal to the length of the trench where it is installed. For this, reinforcement 1 meter long is taken, which is welded to the base in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The mortgage is always lowered into the finished pit with the reinforcement down.
We dig a trench, lay the frame
After the foundation scheme for the sliding gate is ready and the smallest details are thought out, it's time to turn the project into reality. The first step is to dig a trench corresponding to the size of the gate and its location. Then it is necessary to build a reinforcing cage from metal rods welded together in the form of a lattice.
The frame is fixed strictly horizontally 10 cm below the ground. It is important to fix it well so that there is no displacement during the pouring of the solution. The drawing of the foundation of the sliding gate will contribute to the correct laying of the frame and the further proper operation of the structure.
Pouring solution
The next step is pouring the pre-prepared concrete solution. It should not be too thick or runny. For strength and durability, you need to add crushed stone. The following proportions are used for the mortar: two buckets of sand and six similar containers of cement. If crushed stone is used, then two buckets are also taken. The mixture is diluted with water and thoroughly mixed.
The hole is not completely filled. 1/3 part should be left so that it is possible to correctly place the transverse channels fixed on the sides of the reinforcing cage. When the channels are welded to the reinforcement, the foundation for the sliding gates is completely poured. It remains to wait for its complete drying, which occurs within 7-14 days, depending on the season and weather conditions. When the foundation is poured according to the rules, the transverse channels are well aligned and are 5-6 cm below the road surface. The surface must be perfectly flat.
Features of installing a channel
After the foundation for the sliding gate is completely dry, it is necessary to weld the main channel and the beam for the electric drive. Here great importance takes into account the thickness of the structure doors, which allows you to avoid obstacles during their movement.
Before installing the electric drive, a metal mortgage is fixed. For reliability, it is welded to the reinforcement column. Thanks to this structure, the foundation acquires additional strength. For the finished appearance the visible part of the foundation is covered with paving slabs.
If you decide to install sliding gates and experience all the benefits of using them, then you will need some experience and knowledge in pouring the foundation, making correct calculations. However, it is not always possible to deal with this on your own. That is why, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to turn to specialists. They are familiar with all the nuances and professional secrets necessary for the correct laying of the foundation and the subsequent smooth operation of sliding gates. We are ready to offer our services in this area. Entrust the work to our professionals, who will not only give valuable advice, but will also perform the work flawlessly, taking into account all the individual wishes of the client and the features of the operation of the finished structure.
The foundation for the gate is just that element, on the quality of which the functioning of the entire system largely depends. And if for the input structure of a standard type it is enough that the side pillars are stable and not deformed, then under the automatic opening system - retractable or hinged - you need to lay a foundation with a much greater margin of safety.
In this article, I will provide general information about gate foundations, and also tell you how the supporting structures for swing and sliding gates are poured. From my own experience, I can say that it is quite possible to solve a problem of this type with your own hands - but, of course, you will have to work hard.
Foundation functions
The main foundation for the entrance gate should be as stable as possible.
At the same time, its underground part performs whole line functions, the main ones I would name:
- Anchoring support posts or their axial parts in the ground(if the gate pedestal is built of brick around a metal pipe concreted into the ground).
- Forming the base of the gate frame.
- Load distribution acting on the support when opening the sash.
- Load compensation caused by the movement of the sliding sash when it is opened.
- Ensuring that the configuration of the entire structure is preserved, distortion prevention, etc.
Simply put, for both conventional and automatic gates, a quality base is vital. That is why even in the most simple situations- as in the case of swing gates - I prefer to lay the foundation with a good margin of safety.
For swing construction
Preparing for installation
The foundation for swing gates is simple in design. By and large, its underground part is a base of supports concreted into the ground - metal pipes, wooden beams or reinforced concrete pillars.
The construction of such a foundation is not too complicated, but at the same time a laborious process. I performed it alone several times, and therefore I can say with all responsibility: an assistant will definitely not hurt.
We begin the work with the preparation of the recesses in which we will install the gate posts:
- On the goal line, I put markings, marking the points of installation of supports. It is very important that they do not protrude beyond the fence line, otherwise our gates will be displaced.
- According to the markup, I dig nests for gate posts. The depth of each nest should be at least 1.5 m (on difficult soils - up to 2 m), and the width should be at least 10 cm more than the width of the post on the larger side.
Advice!
If possible, we do not dig a hole, but drill it with the help of special devices.
This will be more expensive (renting a gasoline pit drill is about 400 rubles per day), but an order of magnitude faster.
- At the bottom of each nest, I fall asleep at least 30-40 cm of sand and gravel mixture and carefully tamp it down.
- To ensure maximum stability of heavy supports, primary concreting can be performed by pouring about 10 cm of mortar based on M150 - M200 cement from above.
- From the inside, I line the nests with roofing material, which will protect the underground part of the foundation from soil moisture.
- If the design of the gate provides for this, then along the perimeter of each pit I erect a low formwork to fill the basement. For the manufacture of formwork, I use boards with a thickness of at least 20-25 mm.
Concrete and installation of supports
In this section, I will explain how to install the supports in the sockets and how to properly fill them with mortar.
The optimal algorithm is:
- I install the support in the nest, rest it on the footing or compacted gravel and level it.
- If hinges are already welded on the support, I correct the position of the part so that the hinges look towards the opening.
- I install rope braces, fixing the support in a strictly vertical position. You can also additionally fix the pillars in the pit with the help of stones or trimmings of reinforcement - they will also additionally strengthen the base.
- I am preparing a mortar based on M300 cement with the addition of sand and gravel. I bring the solution to the consistency of thick sour cream and pour it into the nests around the supports, trying to avoid the formation of air pockets.
- I pierce the layer with a reinforcing bar several times, releasing the entrained air. If possible, you can process the solution with a deep vibrator - so it will be even denser.
- I check if the supports have shifted during the pouring process, additionally fix them with spacers from the boards and leave the concrete to dry.
- Spacers and formwork can be removed after 7-10 days, and I would advise the poles themselves to be subjected to loads no earlier than after 3-4 weeks. The polymerization time of concrete is 28 days, and during this period it is necessary to ensure that the surface of the solution does not dry out.
If the foundation is poured under a structure with a height of more than 2 m with a sash weight of 200 kg or more, then the supporting parts can be further strengthened:
- make a foundation on screw piles by screwing the supports into the ground and then pouring them with concrete;
- reinforce metal poles brickwork(along the entire height or only at the bottom);
- connect the underground parts of the supports strip foundation up to 50-60 cm deep - this impromptu "screed" will reduce the risk of deformation of the gate to a minimum.
For retractable design
markup
The base for sliding gates is a channel fixed on concrete pillars located underground. This channel is a support for the retractable part, therefore it is very important that it is securely fixed to a stable base.
We start with design calculations:
- The embedment depth of the base is usually 1.2 - 1.5 m. I usually work within these limits, using smaller foundations only for very light structures with minimal load.
- The width of the concrete strip is determined by the width of the channel: if a product of 200 mm is used, then the base can be made 400 mm wide. And under two channels of 140 mm each, I lay a foundation 0.5 m wide.
- The length of the foundation is usually 1/2 the length of the retractable part. So, the foundation for sliding gates 4 meters long should be 2 meters or more.
Excavation
Based on the calculations, a foundation scheme is built, which I focus on when excavating, reinforcing and concreting:
- To begin with, I examine the site from the side on which the sliding sash will be located. If necessary, I level the ground and uproot trees and shrubs, otherwise they root system destroys pretty quickly concrete base.
- Further, from the inside of the hedge I dig a trench, the dimensions of which will correspond to the dimensions of the foundation. The recess under the base can be made either rectangular or U-shaped, with two nests on the sides.
- I fill the bottom of the trench with sand, forming a pillow up to 15 cm thick. I carefully tamp the sandy base.
Foundation laying
The base for sliding gates with a length of 5 meters must be massive enough and withstand solid loads, therefore, one cannot do without reinforcement and proper concreting.
The instruction assumes the performance of work according to the following scheme:
- From a reinforcing bar with a diameter of 12-14 mm, I weld or tie a frame, the dimensions of which will be somewhat smaller than the dimensions of the trench.
- The upper edges of the reinforcement are welded to the lower part of the supporting channel.
- I lower metal structure into the trench, installing on props made of solid ceramic brick. I carefully align the frame, focusing on the position of the channel - it should be perfectly horizontal and tightly adjoin the fence support post.
- I prepare concrete from 1 part of cement grade not lower than M300, 3 parts of sand and 4 parts of crushed stone. I dilute the solution with water to a moderate consistency and fill the trench, trying to fill it in such a way that there are no voids under the channel.
Important!
Concrete must not interrupt the metal insert, as this interferes with the installation of the sliding mechanism.
- Filling is best done in layers: I usually fill the trench in 1/4 increments, followed by bayonet compaction.
The installation of the gate can be carried out already 10-15 days after pouring: in contrast to the hinged structure, here the loads cannot severely damage the foundation. But it must be remembered that it is better not to use the base "in normal mode" until the concrete has completely hardened.
As in the case of swing gates, the installation of the foundation can be carried out either using screw piles, or by mounting the support platform from the channel on reinforced concrete pillars buried in the ground.
However, these techniques are rarely used, because for all their complexity they provide an excess margin of safety. So for ordinary sliding gates, the technology described above is quite enough.
Conclusion
The foundation for the gate must be strong and reliable, and there is probably no other way than deepening it into the ground and fixing it there with the help of reinforced concrete. Yes, this work is laborious, but if you watch the video in this article, and if you have difficult questions, ask them in the comments, you can avoid all the difficulties, and the result will be quite worthy!
Sliding gates, or the so-called sliding, sliding or exit gates, require pouring a special foundation and installing a mortgage. The scheme of concreting for sliding gates contributes to the fact that the supporting pillars of the opening practically do not experience any load during operation.
Foundation for the gate
Professionals claim (as well as common sense) that only a reliable and durable concrete base, made in accordance with all standards, and sustained according to technology, can guarantee a long service life and resistance to strong gusts of wind and other negative environmental influences. Reliably and correctly made foundation will contribute to the high-quality operation of the gate, and most importantly, remember that the larger and heavier the gate structure, the more powerful the foundation must be made.
There are the following main stages of concreting the base for sliding gates:
- markup;
- Land works;
- Reinforcement and installation of a mortgage;
- Concreting.
Preparatory stage
First you need to mark the territory on the ground. The foundation for sliding gates is usually a platform half the length of the size of the portal opening. A standard opening, 4 meters in size, involves basting a platform for a foundation approximately 1.8-2 m long and 0.5-0.7 m wide.
Do-it-yourself foundation is made from the inside of the fence on the side of the driveway. If the gate leaf will open to the right, then the concrete base should also be located on the right side.
Marking can be carried out using pegs and wire or rope. The main thing is to make right angles, which are easy to check using the rule Egyptian triangle, or use a square (can be homemade) with sides of at least 1 meter. Drive in the pegs in the corners and pull the rope.
Sliding portal design
Land stage of works
After marking, they begin to dig a hole with a depth of 1.2 - 1.8 m, calculated depending on the level of soil freezing in your region, which can be found in the documents of building climatology and geophysics.
Some models are designed for a certain size of pits, with a minimum depth of 1.5 m, and a width of 0.5 mm. While the length will be indicated in the attached mounting card, and is calculated by the formula: i + 600 according to the markup.
Sliding portal (top view)
The excavated pit will become the basis for mounting the load-bearing frame under the sliding gate leaf. It should have a sand and gravel cushion 10-15 cm thick, evenly laid over the entire surface and compacted with running water.
Mortgage installation
As an option, a channel number 16-20 and a reinforcing cage welded to it can be used for the installation of domestic gates. It will become the basis for welding rollers and mounting automation. However, if there is no channel, you can resort to the use of improvised materials, for example, corners with a section of 100x100 mm or welded channels number 8 or 10, in general, the design should be similar to the factory set and adequate. The main thing to remember is that:
- The 200 mm channel must be laid close to the bearing post;
- Channel 160 mm - indented 50 mm from the support;
- Mortgage pillars are mounted flush with masonry or trim.
Before pouring the pit with concrete, it is necessary to reinforce the base - install a U-shaped frame, and fix it in the spacer with pieces of reinforcement. The frame should be approximately the same size as the hole. The first post must be placed flush with the post that defines the opening.
Reinforcing belt and mortgage
The main condition is the placement of the upper plane of the channel at the zero level. Zero level is the plane of the road surface in the area of the opening from the side of the yard. When it is not horizontal, then the level set by the nylon thread is considered zero. Its horizontalness must be checked with a building level.
To do this, the thread is pulled at the zero level, placing the opposite end 100 mm from the supporting pillar of the opening. Thus, the future pole-catcher will be in the same plane with the power frame.
Additionally! If the level of the finished floor is above the actual ground level, then you can resort to placing formwork.
Foundation above "zero level"
Final action this stage is the setting of the frame (mortgage) on the construction level. When fixing the mortgage, you can immediately lay the corrugations of electrical wiring to automate sliding gates. They need to be brought out in advance in the right place and fixed.
Base with wiring
Foundation pouring
Concrete mix can be ordered or made by yourself. For a foundation of normal strength, order factory-made concrete of a grade not lower than M250, and preferably M500. You will need approximately 1.2-2 cu. meters of concrete mix. It is recommended to use crushed stone with a size of no more than 30-40 mm with a total sand content of no more than 30%. In addition, if the concreting process fell on winter time, then concrete with special additives is used.
After pouring, the foundation must be allowed to stand for at least 7 days, or as per SNIP - 28 days.
Sliding portal base device
In this article we will tell you about all the intricacies of construction and installation, as well as about all possible problems, which you may encounter if you decide to make a sliding gate with your own hands. When faced with the task of installing a sliding gate for the first time, the drawing of a sliding gate seems to be the biggest mystery. In fact, the design of sliding gates is very simple, their installation scheme is also not complicated, and below we will describe the basic principles for installing sliding gates, having understood which you will no longer have questions about how to install them yourself. But first things first.
Sliding gates. We consider the optimal width of the opening
This is the most important question that you must answer to yourself first of all. Under the width of the sliding gate, we mean the width of the gate itself, i.e. free distance between the gate posts when the gate is fully open. To answer this question, you need to decide on just a few points:
- Which vehicles will enter through these sliding gates? Only cars? Gazelles? Tractor? Kamaz?
- At what angle will all these vehicles, especially trucks, enter?
According to my own feelings, sliding gates should be of such a width that when passing through them, there is a gap of at least 30 cm on each side between the gate posts and mirrors (or better, all 50 cm.) And now some statistics about the width of some cars (including mirrors).
- Ford focus 3 = 2.01 m.
- Ford Explorer 2015 = 2.29 m.
- Gazelle (all-metal van) = 2.5 m.
- KamAZ = 2.9 m.
Just don't say that you have already built everything and no more trucks will ever come to your site. I assure you that in life there will be enough situations in which you will need to let trucks into your site. And now let's answer the question of at what angle such cars can drive towards you? According to statistics, the angle of entry of such cars into the site is 45 degrees to the goal line. See for yourself, the length of a typical KamAZ 65111 is 7.34 meters, and now go to the place on your site where you plan to install sliding gates, look at the space behind them and try to answer the question of whether this space is enough for the truck to in order to turn around and drive into your sliding gate at right angles to the goal line?
If we turned out to be right and the angle of entry of the truck will be approximately 45 ° to the gate line, then according to the Pythagorean theorem, in order for a KamAZ 2.9 meters wide to pass into the target of your gate at an angle of 45 degrees WITHOUT A GAP AT ALL between the mirrors and the gate posts, the width of the gate should be 4.1 meters. However, we do not recommend using this figure because, firstly, it does not take into account the gap, and secondly, there are situations when a car passing through the gate can either sway for any reason or slide to the side on snow, ice or dirt, slip and move to the side, etc. Based on these considerations, we recommend installing sliding gates with an opening width of at least 4.5 meters.
If we move from theory to practice, then our own experience suggests that the optimal gate width is 4.5 meters, and the ideal gate width is 5 meters.
Please note that everything written above referred to the width of the gate opening, but not the width of the gate leaf! If we talk about the door leaf, then there is one important point that needs to be considered. The width of the door leaf should be approximately 20 centimeters larger than the width of the gate opening! Otherwise, when the gate is closed, you will have a gap visible at an angle to the plane of the gate (see photo below). If you forgot to ask to make the door leaf a little wider than the planned opening width, you can correct the situation by installing the gate posts a little closer to each other than planned. Thus, you will reduce the width of the opening by about 15-20 centimeters, but you will avoid the formation of a gap.
Sliding gates. Nuances with the height of the sliding gate
It may seem to many that this moment is not worth attention and discussion at all, but this is not so. We partly agree. Indeed, ignoring this moment will not create any significant problems for you apart from aesthetic. Many people think that if the height of the fence leaf adjacent to the gate is 2 meters, then the height of the gate leaf should be 2 meters. In reality, this is not so. Let's look at an example:
- We have a fence made of profiled sheet, having a height of 2 meters and installed without tape and without a gap at the bottom. In this case, the profiled sheet rises directly from the ground to a height of 2 meters. (we published an article on installing a fence earlier: Fence posts. We build a fence without mistakes with our own hands)
- When ordering or manufacturing the frame of the door leaf on your own, you are guided by the same profiled sheet, which has the same height as that of the fence - 2 meters, right?
Now let's see what happens as a result. In both cases, you are guided by the same height of the profiled sheet, but you do not take into account the fact that in the case of a fence, the profiled sheet starts directly from the ground and its upper edge is at a height of exactly 2 meters above the ground. At the same time, in the case of gates, the lower edge of the sliding gate cannot touch the ground, it is raised by about 10 cm from the ground.
In fairness, it should be noted that the gap between the ground and the lower part of the gate is adjusted using the adjusting pads, which are standardly included in the set of rollers (see photo on the right and photo below). The roller supports are put on and fastened to the adjusting platforms with the help of nuts, and with the help of the same nuts, the installation height of the roller supports (and hence the gate frame) can be adjusted within 5 cm. As a result, the minimum distance from the ground will be 10 cm, the maximum - 15 cm from the ground.
Go ahead. Unlike a fence, the profiled door leaf is usually inserted into the profile that makes up the frame of the door leaf, while the profile is usually welded from a 60/40 mm rectangular pipe. The gate height has already come up: 100mm + 40mm + 2000mm + 40mm = 2180mm. But that's not all, since a guide beam with a height of 60 mm is welded to the door leaf from below (for gates weighing up to 350 kg). In total, taking into account the guide beam, the distance from the ground surface to the upper edge of the gate is already 2180 mm + 60 mm = 2240 mm. As you can see, according to the calculations, the top edge of the gate was 24 cm higher than the top edge of the fence!
For reference: the dimensions of the guide beams that come with rollers and other accessories for sliding gates vary ( sliding gate accessories will be discussed in more detail at the end of this article). Each set has its own name, and is used depending on the size and weight of the gate:
- MICRO set: sliding gates with opening up to 4m and weight up to 300kg inclusive; dimensions of the MICRO guide beam - height 55mm, width 60mm, thickness 3mm, standard length 4.5m / 5.3m / 6m;
- ECO set: sliding gates with opening up to 5m and weight up to 500kg inclusive; ECO guide beam dimensions - height 60mm, width 70mm, thickness 3.5mm, standard length 5m / 6m / 7m;
- EURO set: sliding gates with opening up to 6m and weight up to 800kg inclusive; EURO guide beam dimensions - height 75mm, width 90mm, thickness 4.5mm, standard length 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m;
- MAX set: sliding gates with opening up to 12m and weight up to 2000kg inclusive; guide beam dimensions MAX - height 135mm, width 130mm, thickness 5mm, standard length 6m / 9m;
To avoid such an aesthetic mistake, the height of the sliding gate frame should be made focusing not on the height of the filling profiled sheet, but on the height of the fence adjacent to the gate.
Sliding gates. Drawing and scheme of sliding gates.
Sliding gates are so simple design that you do not need any drawing of the gate. Below we will explain to you the scheme of operation of sliding gates, after which you will easily understand their design, what depends on what in it, what and how it can be changed at your discretion. So, the basis of the entire design of sliding sliding gates are 2 rollers and a guide beam moving along them (sometimes called a “guide rail”). Look at the photo below.
The guide, moving along the rollers, is the basis of the whole structure. The guide is welded from below to the gate frame and now the entire frame moves along the rollers. Since the rollers should not be in the gate opening, so as not to get in the way underfoot, they are taken out to the side, outside the gate opening, and the sliding gates are respectively lengthened by the so-called "counterweight". The generally accepted design is one in which the length of the "counterweight" is equal to half the length of the gate opening. In other words, for a gate opening of 5 meters, the total frame length will be 5 + 5/2 = 7.5 meters. At the same time, 2.5 meters in this frame will be the very “counterweight”, which is a flight outside the gate opening and relies on rollers.
Strictly speaking, it is generally accepted that the length of the counterweight of the gate is 1/3 - 1/2 of the length of the opening. But we strongly recommend making the counterweight 1/2 of the length of the gate opening. Why? Because people very often make a “lightweight” counterweight - a triangle (as in the figure below). As a result, not only do they reduce the length of the counterweight to 1/3 of the length of the opening, they also truncate the "counterweight" to a triangle, thereby reducing its weight. In this case, it simply ceases to perform the function counterweight- it's too easy. As a result, the sliding gates will be “out of balance”, “peck” when closing and when fully opened, and all the loads just fall on the rollers, which fly out of this in 2-3 years, and not in 10 years, as they should . Bottom line: if the counterweight is “square”, then, in principle, 1/3 of the opening is enough. If "triangular" - then 1/2 of the opening. But the ideal option would still be a counterweight length equal to 1/2 the length of the gate opening.
That is why the basis for installing the gate is the installation of rollers. It is the rollers that hold the entire structure and experience the greatest loads in comparison with all other structural elements of sliding sliding gates. These two rollers hold the entire door leaf overhanging, so they are installed on a massive reinforced concrete foundation, into which, for convenience, an embedded part made of a channel is poured. This is done to simplify the subsequent installation of the rollers, and it is to it that the bases of the two rollers are subsequently welded, and even later - the base for mounting the engine of the rollback mechanism. (see photo above).
All other components for sliding gates practically do not carry power loads and serve to keep the door leaf from swinging. All of these sliding gate accessories are shown below. Of these, the supporting rail (square bracket with two rubber rollers), the lower catcher and the upper catcher are mounted on poles.
Let's take a look at the entire set of accessories needed to install sliding gates. Look at the diagram below, in which we numbered all the elements. So, element by element, according to the numbering on the diagram:
- End cap for the rear of the rail. Its purpose is partly decorative, partly to prevent snow from stuffing into the guide when the gate rolls back in winter if it rolls back, clearing the snow;
- Support rail with two adjustable rollers (square bracket with two rubber rollers). It is installed at the top of the post (closest to the mortgage with bearing rollers) and simply keeps the door leaf in a vertical position from swinging and tipping over;
- Top catcher. It is installed on the "receiving" post. The role of the catcher is to keep the door leaf from swinging when the sliding gates are closed;
- Bottom catcher. Almost the same as in the previous paragraph, but with a support platform on which the support roller rolls when the sliding gate is completely closed. The point is not only to keep the sliding gate from swinging, but also to unload the drive rollers and the guide, which experiences strong bending loads when the gate is fully extended;
- Support roller. This roller is both a damper and a plug for the front edge of the guide. When closing the gate, it rolls into the “lower catcher” (see previous paragraph No. 4), dampens the impact of the closing gate leaf, rests with its roller on the “lower catcher” support platform, removing bending loads from the guide and the entire door leaf;
- Actually the guide itself (or “guide rail”), thanks to which the sliding gates move back and forth along the rollers (rollers on the scheme of sliding gates under No. 7). As we wrote above, the guide is plugged from the back side by element No. 1, from the front side by element No. 5.
- Support rollers with adjustable stands are the elements that carry the main load and ensure the rolling of the sliding gate. In fact, these are the most powerful structural elements that require fixing on a solid foundation in the form of a mortgage, usually mounted on a reinforced concrete foundation.
Adjustment stands are used for:
- accurate alignment of the roller bearings in one straight line (if the rollers do not stand in a straight line, they will wear out a lot. Without adjusting stands, the rollers are almost impossible to set up straight)
- adjustment of the gate installation height relative to the ground (within 5 cm)
- the possibility of replacing worn out roller bearings (if the roller bearings were welded to the mortgage without adjusting stands, then it would be problematic to replace them without using the “grinder” of the welding machine).
Installing sliding gates. Mortgage, foundation, pillars.
For many, the embedded element raises many questions, since the shape and dimensions of this embedded part are not clear and everyone starts looking for its drawing. You don't need a drawing. The meaning of this element is only to prepare a certain basis on a concrete base for the subsequent installation of rollers and a gate drive using electric welding. Based on this, the shape does not matter at all, the dimensions may vary. The channel No. 10, 12.14, 16, 20 is taken as a mortgage. The more massive the sliding gate, the more powerful the channel. The mortgage must stand directly on the line of movement of the canvas of the future gate, the platform for the engine is shifted from this line into the yard.
Look at the photo below. As you can see, rollers are mounted on the embedded element (in the photo they are under the numbers 1 and 2). The same photo shows that it would be more logical to move roller No. 2 to the right, closer to the right edge of the gate frame (the attachment point is determined with the gate fully closed).
It would seem that, ideally, roller No. 1 would have to stand at the very post (which is in the photo on the left), and roller No. 2 should melt at the very edge of the guide rail, closer to the edge of the gate frame (in the photo on the right). This is almost true, but there is one caveat! The fact is that the guide beam has elements inserted inside at the edges. The edge of the beam farthest from the gate opening is closed with an end cap (in the photo at number 4), and an auxiliary support roller is inserted into the opposite edge (in the photo at number 3), which rolls into the lower catcher when the gate is closed. Therefore, rollers no. 1 and no. 2 must be set at the appropriate distances. The length of the embedded element can be equal to the length of the "counterweight" of the gate. That is, with a gate opening width of 5 meters and a "counterweight" width of 2.5 meters, the length of the mortgage can be approximately 2.3 - 2.5 meters. To install a drive with an electric motor in the future, weld a platform to the embedded element anywhere. On the other hand, you can not do this and subsequently weld a plate protruding sideways to the mortgage on top and put the drive on it.
Now about the foundation. The foundation of sliding gates is perhaps the most important and critical part of the entire gate design. First of all, the foundation is needed for the mortgage, to which the main support rollers will be attached. Some firms and private teams offer a cheaper version of the foundation than reinforced concrete, namely, they offer to twist several screw piles, on which a mortgage is then welded on top and that's actually almost everything is ready. Further nearby, another one is screwed a little crookedly into this bunch of piles (since you can’t screw a whole bush of piles exactly next to it), under the pole. We will not even consider such an option. Perhaps it fits under small and light sliding sliding gates, for example, having a length of 3 meters with a light frame sheathed with a profiled sheet on one side, however, longer and heavier sliding gates will “walk” on such a foundation.
We believe that alternatives reinforced concrete foundation in this case, no, however, it can be filled in in different ways. So, for example, on the Internet it is often proposed to pour either only one foundation - directly under the mortgage, or two separate ones, one of which is under the mortgage, the second - under the "receiving" pillar. This option is shown in the diagram below.
This option is much better than the idea of using screw piles, however, having two separate foundations can end up in trouble, especially in cases where such foundations are not buried below the level of soil freezing. The fact is that as a result of frost heaving, such separate foundations can move independently of each other. In this case, even with slight displacements relative to each other, everything can end up with the fact that the sliding gates will no longer fall into the traps installed on the receiving post and you will have to constantly try to reconfigure the traps. And if such deformations occur 2 times a year, for example, at the beginning and at the end of winter? What if more often? Do you want to devote your whole life to the eternal adjustment of the gate on your site and become a guru in this matter? We personally don't!
The solution to this problem is quite simple (but more expensive than two separate foundations) - both pillars must be connected by one common foundation. In this option, even in cases of displacement of the foundation, both columns will ALWAYS be parallel to each other, moving in the same bundle. Below we publish a photo of such a foundation for sliding gates.
Pillars for sliding gates are installed before pouring the foundation with concrete. In the case of sliding gates, the pillars carry practically no load, except for the wind. This means that the door leaf usually has a high “windage” and during strong winds, the wind load is transferred from the door leaf to the poles. If we talk about sufficiency, then for such gates it will be enough to take a 60x60x2mm pipe, however, for those who suffer from gigantomania just like us, we recommend making poles from a 100x100x4mm pipe.
As to whether it is worth installing “U”-shaped poles or ordinary ones, there is no consensus here. The accessories for sliding gates described above can also be installed on single posts without any problems. We prefer U-shaped poles, but if you look closely at the photos in this article, you will see that we originally installed and poured single poles with concrete. At the same time, by installing small embedded steel plates in the lower part, to which other pillars of a smaller section were subsequently welded than the main ones. Thus, we made “P”-shaped ones from single pillars. U-shaped posts are preferable if later you plan to install not only a gate drive, but also a gate automation kit, including photocells. Firstly, it will be more convenient to install photocells on internal poles, and not on external ones (for anti-vandal reasons). Secondly, inside the internal poles it will be convenient to conduct hidden wiring to the photocells and signal lamp. You can read more about this in our article " Sliding gate automation».
Sliding gates. Gate frame structure.
The frame of sliding gates is best welded from metal. Structurally, it is welded from pipes of rectangular or square section of two standard sizes. As a power frame, pipes of a larger cross section are taken, the internal filling in the form of stiffeners is made from pipes of a smaller cross section, for example, 20 x 20 mm.
We offer you to choose the section of pipes for the sliding gate frame depending on the weight and / or length of the gate, according to the tables below:
- Easy sewing of the gate (profiled sheet, polycarbonate, mesh, "Euro fence"):
Door leaf weight Sliding gate leaf length (gate opening width) Main profile (bearing profile for the frame) Auxiliary profile (for fixing filling, sheathing) The advantages of sliding sliding gates are well known: no height restrictions, low windage, security, simple and reliable automation. But this design is expensive and has special requirements for the foundation, its total weight is 2-3 times more than swing. Concreting is carried out along the entire length of the sliding doors, the plane with roller bearings must be flat and wide. Distortions are unacceptable, the entire structure is rigidly fixed, a shallow base is not enough. Ideally, a pile foundation for the gate is installed, the frame-monolithic type is suitable only for stable non-freezing soils and subject to mandatory reinforcement to a depth of at least 1 meter. Concrete with the highest grade of strength is used for pouring.
- What is the preferred basis?
- Assembly of frame-monolithic
- Features of the foundation on piles
- What is a screw
- Prices for professional services
Choosing the type of foundation
The main reference points are the expected operating loads and soil characteristics. For sliding or sliding gates, two base options are suitable: frame-monolithic or pile. The first is used in conditions of small seasonal soil shifts; it will take at least a week to build such a foundation. The structure is a concrete U-shaped frame located on the corresponding side of the gate opening. To avoid distortion, it is recommended to adhere to the following dimensions:
- Width - 60 cm.
- Depth - 25 cm more than the level of soil freezing (from 1.6 to 2 m).
- Length - not less than 50% of the width of the sliding gate opening.
On loamy, heaving, swampy areas or at high levels ground water a pile foundation is required. It, in turn, can be monolithic or screw. In the first case, the channel is placed on the supporting reinforced pillars connected by a reinforced concrete groove.
This design is considered very reliable, but it takes a little longer to fit than screw piles. The latter are located in 1 day, this is a good foundation option, to increase the durability, iron is treated with anti-corrosion compounds and concreted. Another pile is dug into the ground on the opposite side of the opening, regardless of the type of foundation (if the fence is not enough to support it).
Step by step installation technology
The frame-monolithic foundation for sliding gates is laid in the following sequence:
- Marking according to a pre-designed scheme.
- Trench dig.
- Reinforcing cage installation.
- Preparation and pouring of concrete mortar, exposure necessary to achieve the strength of the gap.
Under the foundation for sliding gates, a flat area free of plants and roots is required. The trench is dug at least to the freezing depth (ideally, 25 cm more). The colder the climate, the lower the reinforcement cage is placed. Sand is rammed at the bottom and gravel on top of it: in areas under future supports and under the channel. It is recommended to fill a pillow with a thickness of at least 10 cm, in areas with a risk of underflooring - 15.
The reinforcement cage is assembled separately, it must fit freely in the dug hole. The embedded element has a U-shape, the minimum width of the horizontal channel is 20 cm. The dimensions depend on the parameters of the opening, so for a gate 4 meters long, a foundation of at least 2 m should be laid. The minimum step of transverse reinforcement is 30–40 cm. Two assembly options are possible frame:
- welding of the reinforcing frame and attaching a channel to it;
- welding to a wide strip of metal long rods or corners.
After placement, the level of the embedded element is necessarily checked (horizontally and relative to the sliding gate line), wiring is laid along the channel.
Concrete for pouring is kneaded in a concrete mixer based on cement with a grade of at least M400. Proportions of 1:3:4 are recommended, river quartz sand and gruss (loose sedimentary rocks with fractions up to 30 mm) are used to prepare the solution. If such a filler is not available, then it can be replaced with crushed gravel with a grain size of not more than 20 mm. A solution with a moderate consistency is poured in 3-4 stages, each time it is compacted, before laying the top layer, it is once again verified that there are no voids in the reinforced areas. Installation of the sliding gates themselves is carried out no earlier than 2 weeks after concreting, ideally a month later. At all stages, the position of the frame and channel is strictly monitored: distortions and shifts are unacceptable.
Pile foundation installation technology
This type of foundation is considered the most reliable. In this case, screw piles with a diameter of 75–100 mm and a length of 1.5 meters are buried in the ground. The placement scheme is simple: a support on the side opposite from the movable sash, one more at the beginning of the foundation and the last one at the extreme point. The optimal distance between the piles is 2.5–3.5 m. In practice, this means that with a gate length of 6 m, three piles will be enough, but not with an opening width of 8 m. If the opposite side of the fence can withstand high loads (has a support post), then two are enough.
A small starting hole is made (smaller than the diameter of the blades) to a depth of 40 cm. The twisting of the screw piles is carried out strictly vertically, at this stage an assistant is involved. After installation to the required depth, the top of the support is cut off, its entire cavity is filled with cement-sand mortar. This procedure is necessary to increase the life of the pile; it is not carried out during temporary placement. Further, a single pile foundation is formed - the pillars are welded to the channel, the groove is poured with concrete. Places of welding must be treated with anti-corrosion compounds.
Wiring for automatic control carried out at any stage. It should be remembered that the pile foundation needs a separate grounding (the farther from the supports, the better). This is due to the fact that the material of the channel and piles is homogeneous, the base conducts current. But this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage - structures with the same properties last longer. Subject to the installation rules, sliding gates on screw piles will stand for more than a dozen years.
Advantages of a screw foundation
An important characteristic is the weight supported by such a support. The connection is direct: the heavier the gate, the deeper the piles are screwed. Depending on the thickness and depth of placement, the pile foundation can withstand construction from 5 to 18 tons.
The advantages of this technology include:
- High performance, regardless of soil conditions.
- Profitability.
- Possibility of laying screw piles in winter.
- Fast terms of installation and excavation.
- Maintainability.
- A simple scheme for arranging the foundation.
- Use as a temporary structure (piles should be concreted after final installation).
From the point of view of minimizing financial and labor costs, this is the best option. It is inferior in reliability to monolithic pile foundations, but the opening of the gate structure is not limited in height. But on difficult soils, it is better to fill the connecting channel with reinforced concrete.
The cost of services of masters
The advantage of turning to professionals is the reliability and quality of the structure; before starting work, they analyze the characteristics of the soil and select the optimal type of foundation. On average, laying 1 linear meter of reinforced concrete foundation for sliding gates costs 13,000 rubles. The price for installing one pile with concreting to a depth of 1.5 m is 5,000 rubles. The amount of costs is affected by the size and number of pillars (at least 2). Estimated cost of pile monolithic foundation turnkey with a width of 4 meters is 30,000.
The main purpose of the fence is to mark the boundaries of the site, to protect it from the intrusion of outsiders. In addition to the fence, located around the perimeter of the territory, this design also includes a gate through which entry / entry into private property is carried out. They are presented in many variations, but the most convenient are mobile canvases. Since they are quite massive, you will need to build a strong foundation for sliding gates that will support their weight.
Technological features of the sliding system
The mobile mechanism is represented by rollers fixed at the bottom of the canvas frame, thanks to which it moves along special guides. This gives sliding gates a number of advantages:
- they have no height restriction;
- they have low windage (poorly influenced by wind);
- can be additionally equipped with an automatic control system.
Note: the sliding structure is more expensive than usual, has more weight, requires laying a strong foundation.
Determining the type of foundation
Sliding gate foundationserves to hold the cantilever blocks on which the structure is fixed. It is erected in the form of a polygon and is located directly in the soil.
For the reliability of the foundation, it is necessary to choose the right place for it and make accurate calculations. This should take into account:
- type of soil on the site;
- expected load on the gate.
Under the sliding structure lay:
- pile foundation. It is used on loamy, swampy soils, or where groundwater comes close to the surface. This base can be monolithic (solid) or screw (pile, rod). The foundation for sliding gates on screw piles is quickly laid, it can be driven in in 1 day. The base elements are preliminarily treated with an anti-corrosion agent, and after installation they are additionally concreted. The solid foundation is represented by a channel laid on reinforced pillars, fastened with a common groove made of reinforced concrete. It is not inferior in reliability to the pile, but it is laid longer;
- frame-monolithic base. It is used on stable soils or soil with little shear. This base consists of a U-shaped frame, on which cantilever blocks are supported, holding the sliding mechanism. A solid frame foundation for sliding gates with a length of (4-5-6) meters must have a length of at least ½ of the width of the gate opening, a width of about 0.6 m, and a depth of 0.25 m below the soil freezing mark. These dimensions help to avoid distortion of the structure. It takes about 1 week to build a frame-monolithic base.
Foundation laying technology for a retractable structure
Building a foundation for a gate with movable canvases with your own hands is a process that requires a significant investment of time and effort. But if you make the right calculations and adhere to the technology for performing work, then you can build a high-quality and functional entrance group with your own hands. Consider this on the example of laying a frame-monolithic base.
Schema Design
Work begins with determining the dimensions of the foundation. To do this, you need to know the following indicators:
- opening width;
- dimensions and weight of the gate;
- soil type.
The optimal width of the foundation is from 0.5 to 0.7 m, the depth is 1.5-2.5 m (the exact figure depends on the freezing of the soil), the length of the base is more than ½ of the width of the opening. In this case, it is necessary to make an indent on one side of the input structure to roll back the canvas. All this data should be displayed on the diagram.
Attention: a drawing with all dimensions will allow you to calculate the materials necessary for the construction of the base, to properly organize the work on its construction.
Preparatory work
Preparation for the construction of the base for the sliding structure includes a number of works. Among them is the leveling of the territory, its cleaning from vegetation, roots. According to the drawn up scheme, they dig a trench of the required parameters. A dense gravel-sand cushion is formed at its bottom.
Production of a metal frame
How to make the foundation for sliding gates strong and reliable? To do this, it is reinforced with a mortgage element. It is a U-shaped frame, the posts of which are formed from d12 reinforcing bars and a horizontal channel, the width of which is at least 20 cm. Its purpose is to evenly distribute stress throughout the structure.
The length of the embedded element depends on the dimensions of the opening. By standards, it should be at least ½ of the width of the gate. For a sliding structure 4 m long, a metal frame 2 m long is constructed.
The embedded element is reinforced with transverse reinforcement, which is performed in increments of 0.3-0.4 m. The frame is assembled in two ways:
- by welding a frame from reinforcement, followed by fastening the channel;
- by welding corners / rods to the metal strip.
Bandaging of reinforcing bars is carried out using steel wire or welding. Metal pins are positioned so that their upper part does not protrude above the ground surface. The horizontal installation of the embedded element must be checked with a level, otherwise there is a risk of distortion of the structure.
Pouring concrete
This will require a solution. It is prepared from cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 3. You can increase the strength of the structure by pouring crushed stone into the solution. How to fill the foundation?
The trench is poured with concrete so that the mixture covers at least 2/3 of the height of the reinforcement. This will help correct installation gate. Pillars for the entrance structure are installed in advance. Technologically, the foundation for the gate should capture not only the opening, but also the cantilever supports. Concreting is subject to the entire plane, which will be occupied by mobile doors.
In this case, it is necessary to avoid possible distortion of the frame. The surface under the roller mechanism must be flat and wide enough for the structure to function properly.
Note: to obtain a high-quality and reliable base, cement of a grade of at least M 500 and crushed stone with a fractionation of 30-40 are used. The hardening of the foundation lasts about 2 weeks, according to the norms of SNIP, it is necessary that it stand for 28 days.
It is not difficult to build a foundation for a sliding gate. But at the same time, it is necessary to correctly calculate the structure and strictly adhere to the technology during its construction. Only in this case, the automatic system will work properly, and the sliding gates will be functional and last a long time.
Today, sliding gates are very popular among developers. The design of such a system provides for the presence of a special foundation and a mortgage. This is due to the large windage of the leaf of such gates, especially in strong winds.
Therefore, it is necessary to build a foundation for sliding gates 4 meters long in order to provide the entire structure with sufficient stability and strength.
Foundation construction technology
The installation process of such gates involves the construction of a reliable foundation. Depending on the composition of the soil, the type of foundation is selected. The most common way to create a solid foundation sliding system is concreting under the supports of its structure. 
The technology provides for the following construction stages:
- Site marking;
- Excavation;
- Installation of a reinforcing frame;
- Mortgage installation;
- Concreting.
All construction work must be carried out in accordance with the developed project, which provides for the use of certain materials and equipment. Before starting the construction of such a structure, the composition of the soil on the site is carefully studied.
Preparatory stage
Professional builders claim that the stability of sliding gates and their long service life directly depend on a reliable and durable concrete base. It must be built in accordance with all standards, withstanding technological requirements. 
A properly arranged foundation is able to ensure uninterrupted and long-term operation of all mechanisms. A heavier structure must be matched by a more powerful “cushion”.
Marking is done first land plot, according to plan.
To build a foundation for sliding gates 4 meters long, a platform the size of half the opening of such a portal is required. Accordingly, for a four-meter opening, it is necessary to provide a section under the base with a length of approximately 2 m. Its width is usually made 0.5 m. A platform for the pit is marked on the inside of the gate away from the passage. 
In practice, the concrete base is located on the side of the opening into which the gate leaf will open.
The marking of the site is carried out using pegs, rope or wire. It is necessary to provide right angles, which can be checked using a building square with a side length of at least 1 meter. Pegs are driven into the corners, after which the rope is pulled.
Earthwork stage
After marking the site, they begin to dig a pit, the depth of which is usually within 1.7 m, depending on the level of soil freezing. Such parameters are determined by the average climatic conditions of the region. They are usually specified in documents on building geophysics and climatology. 
Standard models of this type of gate are designed for a certain size of the pit, the minimum depth of which is 1.5 m with a width of 0.5 m.
Digging a hole under the foundation can be done both manually and using special equipment. Given the small size of the pit, such work is best done without the involvement of technical means.
Important! The formation of such a pit requires accuracy and adherence to exact dimensions, which is quite possible when using traditional hand tools.
At the bottom of the excavated pit, which is the basis for installing a load-bearing frame under the sliding gate structure, a pillow is laid, consisting of a layer of gravel and sand. Its thickness is usually from 10 to 18 cm. Work is also carried out to compact the evenly laid cushion in order to exclude the possibility of subsidence of the future base.
Mortgage installation
In practice, it is better to use a channel to which a reinforcement frame is welded as a support for. Such an element will be the basis for the roller mechanism and automation. 
Installation of the mortgage is carried out in several stages, namely:
- Cutting off a channel of a certain length;
- Cutting racks from a metal profile;
- Welding perpendicular elements from a profile pipe to the channel;
- Tying the mortgage with a metal frame made of rods;
- Checking the structure for compliance with the perpendicularity and horizontality of the beam.
The mortgage is the most important element of the foundation of a sliding gate, so its installation is carried out with strict observance of all sizes and levels. After the installation of such a structure, it is necessary to install the formwork in a pit dug under it.
Installing a mortgage and pouring it with concrete
The main condition for such work is to provide the upper plane of the bearing channel of the zero level, which is the surface of the road surface in the area of the opening to be equipped from the inside. The entire structure of the mortgage is lowered into the pit equipped with formwork with the channel up. 
Important! When placing a mortgage in a pit, its horizontalness must be checked using a long building level.
A reliable foundation for sliding gates 4 meters long is ensured by a correctly mounted mortgage structure and its installation in the pit with strict observance of horizontal levels.
The alignment of such a metal base in the pit is carried out using spacers from a bar or rods. After the successful installation of the mortgage, the pit is poured with a concrete mixture. 
You can make it yourself or order at a specialized enterprise. The second option is more suitable, since the mixture made in the factory is more homogeneous and elastic. When pouring the solution into the pit, it is necessary to compact it using a vibration device.
Video instruction:
After pouring concrete, the level of the carrier channel should be checked again.
