Installation

Manual

Bigfoot Systems Inc. 6750 Highway 3, Martin’s Point TF 1-800-934-0393

www.bigfootsystems.com RR #2, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia PH (902) 627-1600
EM [email protected] Canada B0J 2E0 FX (902) 627-1700
 Bigfoot Systems Inc.
RR#2, Mahone Bay
6750 Hwy. #3, Martins Point
Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2E0

BIGFOOT SYSTEMS® FOOTING FORMS

U.S. Pat. No. 29/063,625, U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,459; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 393,474; U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,491

INSTALLATION MANUAL
1.0INTRODUCTION
The Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms come in four sizes: Model BF20, Model BF24, Model BF28 and Model BF36. Each
model accepts various diameter construction tubes, as per Table 1, Figure 1.
TABLE 1
Ring BF20 BF24 BF28 BF36 Ring Height BF20 BF24 BF28 BF36
Diameter in. in. in. in. in. in. in. in. in.
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
D1 5.5 7.5 9.5 12 H1 18.00 18.75 18.75 23.0
(13.97) (19.05) (24.13) (30.48) (39.37) (47.63) (47.63) (58.42)
D2 6.02 8.02 10.02 14 H2 17.00 17.625 17.625 20.5
(15.29) (20.37) (25.45) (35.56) (43.18) (44.77) (44.77) (52.07)
D3 6.48 8.42 10.42 16 H3 16.00 16.5 16.5 18.0
(16.46) (21.39) (26.47) (40.64) (40.64) (41.91) (41.91) (45.72)
D4 7.50 9.5 11.5 18 H4 15.00 15.375 15.375 15.5
(19.05) (24.13) (29.21) (45.72) (38.10) (39.05) (39.05) (39.37)
D5 8.02 10.02 12.02 H5 14.00 14.25 14.25
(20.37) (25.45) (30.53) (35.56) (36.20) (36.20)
D6 8.42 10.42 12.42 H6 13.00 13.125 13.125
(21.39) (26.47) (31.55) (33.02) (33.34) (33.34)
D7 21.5 25.2 29.6 Wall .094 .094 .094 .1875
(54.61) (64.01) (75.18) Thickness (.239) (.239) (.239) (.47625)
D0 20 24 28
(50.80) (60.96) (71.12)
FIGURE 1

1
1.1 ABOVE GROUND APPLICATION (DRAWING BFS-101)

1. After determining which Model Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form and construction tube size is
required for your application, excess rings above the ring diameter required MUST be removed with
a utility knife, hand snips or saw and discarded. {example: if you are using a 10 in. (25.40 cm)
medium construction tube with the Model BF24 remove excess plastic at top of medium 10 in.
(25.40 cm) ring thereby discarding the 10 in. (25.40 cm) small and 8 in. (20.30 cm) small, medium
and large rings.}

2. Attach the required length of construction tube to the Bigfoot with a minimum of four 3/4 in. - 1 in.
long (19.1 mm – 25.4 mm) #8 wood screws.

3. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw remove the excess frayed tube
material with a utility knife for ease of application to the Bigfoot footing form.

4. Drill 3/8 in. (9.53 mm) holes on a 45-degree angle in the footing form as indicated by the markings
on the flange area at each rib location to accept a minimum of 12 in. (30.48 cm) spikes.

5. Place the Bigfoot on undisturbed soil and drive spikes at a 45 degree angle inwards to prevent
Bigfoot from rising when concrete is being poured. If the soil is such that the spikes cannot resist
the upward pressure caused by the concrete being poured into the footing form then alternative
methods such as sandbags or backfill must be used to hold the footing form in place.

6. If the height of the construction tube exceeds 3 ft. (0.91 m) above ground the tube must then be
braced in accordance with Section 3.0, “Bracing” in the Installation Manual (See Drawing BFS-
103).

7. The total combined height of the Bigfoot Systems® must not exceed 5 ft. (1.52 m).

8. When ready to pour use another Bigfoot inverted on top of the construction tube to act as a funnel.

9. The Model BF36 is not recommended for above ground applications.

2
1.2 BELOW GRADE APPLICATION MODELS BF20, BF24 AND BF28 (DRAWING BFS-102)

1. After determining which Model Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form and construction tube size is
required for your application, excess rings above the ring diameter required must be removed with a
utility knife, hand snips or saw and discarded. {example: if you are using a 10 in. (25.40 cm)
medium construction tube with the Model BF24 remove excess plastic at top of medium 10 in.
(25.40 cm) ring thereby discarding the 10 in. (25.40 cm) small and 8 in. (20.30 cm) small, medium
and large rings.}

2. Attach the required length of construction tube to Bigfoot footing form with a minimum of four
3/4 in. - 1 in. long (19.1 mm - 2.54 cm) wood screws.

3. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw, remove excess frayed tube
material with a utility knife for ease of application.

4. Place the Bigfoot in the excavation on top of undisturbed soil or 4 in. - 6 in. (10.16 - 15.24 cm) of
compacted crushed stone or gravel, level and have inspected by a Building Inspector if necessary,
then backfill in accordance with section 4.0 “Backfill for Below Grade Applications”. The Model
BF36 footing form must be placed on level undisturbed soil or on 4 to 6 inches (102 to 152 mm) of
compacted crushed stone or gravel. Align the Bigfoot and construction tube with batter board lines,
plum and brace as shown in (Drawing BFS-103).

5. When backfilling avoid dropping or placing heavy rocks or heavy wet clay on Bigfoot Systems®
footing form.

6. If the tube height above grade exceeds 3 ft. (0.91 m) the tube must then be braced in accordance
with Section 3.0, “Bracing” in the Installation Manual (See Drawing BFS-103).

1.3 BELOW GRADE APPLICATION Model BF36 (DRAWING BFS-102)

1. See #1,2, and 3 Below Grade Application for the Models BF20, BF24 and BF28

2. Align batter board lines, plum and brace as shown in Figure 2- Typical Bracing during construction.

3. Backfill over the footing form to a minimum height of 2 feet (610mm) from the bottom of the footing
form and compacted with a mechanical compactor. Continue backfill in 8- to 12-inch (203mm) lifts to
a maximum height of 5 feet. Compaction must be carried out between each lift. The concrete must be
placed in lifts that are 10 to 16 inches (254 to 406 mm) in height, with the concrete being consolidated
after each lift, as per previous instructions.

3
 7. Height Restrictions

a) The total combined height of Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms must not exceed 13 ft. (3.96 m).
b) The maximum tube height for the 6 in. (15.24 cm) construction tubes must not exceed 3 ft.
(0.91 m) above grade.
c) The maximum tube height for the 8 in. (20.30 cm) construction tubes must not exceed 4 ft.
(1.22 m) above grade and braced.
d) The maximum tube height for the 10 in. (25.40 cm) and 12 in. (30.48 cm) construction tubes
must not exceed 8 ft. (2.44 m) above grade and must be braced.
e) The maximum tube height for the 12in (30.48 cm), 14in (35.56 cm), 16in (40.64 cm) and 18in
(45.72) construction tubes, must not exceed 8 ft. (396.24 cm) above grade and must be braced.
f) Backfill must not exceed 5 ft. (1.52 m).

8. When ready to pour use another Bigfoot footing form inverted on top of the construction tube to
act as a funnel.

2.0 CONSTRUCTION TUBE PIERS

Construction tubes exceeding 8 ft. (2.44 m) in height above grade must be approved by a Professional
Engineer and require external vibration. Place “top of concrete” grade line with piano wire to designed
height of the piers from the batter boards.

With Above Ground Applications loosely place construction tube on the collar of the Bigfoot Systems®
Footing Form and mark the concrete level. Remove the construction tube, mark the concrete level with a
wrap-around template and saw off the excess construction tube squarely. If the construction tube frays
inward when cut with a handsaw, remove excess frayed tube material with a utility knife for ease of
application. Lay construction tube on a level area and attach four 1 in. (2.54 cm) x 3 in. (7.62 cm) x 8 in.
(20.32 cm) scab boards on the top of the construction tube on the outside at four quarter points, with two or
more screws from inside the construction tube walls (See Drawing BFS-103). Place the construction tube
on the Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form collar and attach with a minimum of four 3/4 in. to 1 in. long (19.1
mm - 2.54 cm) wood screws. Place and screw the four bracing boards to the top of the pier scab boards and
to the four “2 x 4" anchor stakes. (See Drawing BFS-103) Level and plumb the pier, check the “top of
concrete” level mark, adjust if necessary, attach and secure the bracing boards. RE-CHECK!! Then fasten
the Bigfoot to the ground as detailed in Section 1.1 (Items 4 and 5) “Above Ground Application.”

Model BF36 is not recommended for above ground applications.

With Below Grade Applications pre-attach the construction tube to the Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form
with a minimum of four 3/4 in. - 1 in. long (19.1 mm - 2.54 cm) wood screws, and lower into the excavated

4
hole. Level, plumb and mark the concrete level on the construction tube. Use a minimum of six
in. – 1
in. long (19.1mm – 25.4mm) wood screws, evenly spaced around the diameter of the Bigfoot when using
the Model BF36. Remove the Bigfoot from the hole and lay the construction tube on supports. Mark the
concrete level with a wrap-around template and saw off the excess construction tube squarely. If the
construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw, remove excess frayed tube material with a utility
knife for ease of application. Attach the four 1 in. (2.53 cm) x 3 in. (7.62 cm) x 8 in. (20.32 cm) scab
boards on the top of the construction tube on the outside at four quarter points, with two or more screws
from inside the tube walls. (See drawing BFS-103) Carefully replace the assembled unit in the excavated
hole, check for level, plumb, “top of concrete” level mark and then backfill as detailed in Section 4.0
“Backfill for Below Grade Applications.”

3.0BRACING (DRAWING BFS-103)

Brace the construction tube with four framing boards at the top and nail to stakes and scab boards. Brace
the top of construction tubes to each other with spreaders attached to the braces or the scab boards.

4.0 BACKFILL FOR BELOW GRADE APPLICATIONS

Place backfill a minimum of 2 ft. (0.61 m) to a maximum of 5 ft. (1.52 m) from the bottom of the footing
form as shown in Drawing BFS-102. Backfill should be consolidated with a manual plate tamper or a “2 x
4" on end. Do not strike Bigfoot Systems® Footing Forms with tamper. Re-check alignment of pier. Do
not over consolidate so as to distort the shell of the footing form. The backfill is intended to hold the
footing form in place.

5.0 PLACING CONCRETE

Concrete shall have a minimum of 3000 psi (20.7 Mpa) 30-day compressive strength and consist of not
more than 3/4 in. (19.05 mm) aggregate. Place concrete in 10 in. - 16 in. (25.40 cm - 40.64 cm) lifts and
‘rod’ or probe concrete with#4 or #5 rebar 10 to 12 thrusts per lift. Do not strike inside the top lip of the
Bigfoot footing form when rodding the first lift of concrete - rod in center area NOT around perimeter.
Finish pouring concrete in equal lifts and rod to the perimeter of the construction tube surface. Place three
to four #4 or #5 rebar in the construction tube extending approx 6 in. (15.24 cm) below the bottom ring of
the footing form. When placing rebar keep approximately 2 in. (5.08 cm) from the side of the construction
tube. Level concrete at the top of the construction tube, screen off and place the anchor plate or anchor
bolts as specified. Re-check alignment or piers and move to re-align and re-secure braces as necessary
before concrete sets.

6.0 STRIPPING OF FORMS

Stripping of the plastic footing form is not necessary with the Bigfoot Systems® Footing Form. Remove
wooden braces, cut and remove construction tube 4 in. (10.16 cm) below the finished grade. If the footing

5
form should need to be removed, use form oil inside the footing form before pouring concrete. If removal
of tube is necessary after concrete is poured this should then be done within 24 - 48 hours for best results.

7.0 STRUCTURAL STEEL

If structural steel is required it must be designed by a qualified professional engineer in accordance with the
Building Codes.

6.0 SPACING OF FOOTING

Spacing of the footing forms is dependent on loads, number of stories and joist span. Footings should be
spaced in accordance with Section 9.15.3 of the NBCC (1995) for Canada; and the Universal Building
Code (1997) and the Federal Building Code for the United States.

9.0 LOADS FOR BIGFOOT SYSTEMS® FOOTING FORMS

Allowable loads for the various footing forms can be found at Table BFS-101 for Canadian applications
and Table BFS-102 for American applications.

Bigfoot Systems Inc.

RR#2, Mahone Bay
6750 Hwy. #3, Martins Point
Nova Scotia, CANADA
B0J 2E0
Toll Free: 1-800-934-0393
Phone: 1-902-627-1600
Fax: 1-902-627-1700
E-mail:[email protected]
Web-site: www.bigfootsystems.com May 10, 2007
Revision 1

6
 TABLE BFS-T102
UNITED STATES

Allowable Gravitv'Loads on BIGFOOT Systems ® Footing Forms

Models BF20, BF24, BF28 and BF36

Soil Description Allowable Soil Model BF20 Model BF24 Model BF28 Model BF36
Bearing Allowable Allowable Allowable Allowable
Pressure Loads Loads Loads Loads
psf (kPa) lbs (kN) lbs (kN) lbs (kN) lbs (kN)

Clay, Sandy Clay, Silty 2000 4364 6283 8560 14134 .50
Clay and Clayey Silt (95 .76) (19 .4) (27 .9) (38 .1) (62 .82)

Sand, Silty Sand 3000 6546 9425 12840 21201 .75

Clayey Sand Silty (143 .64) (29 .1) (41 .9) (57 .1) (94 .23)
Gravel, and Clayey
Gravel

Sandy Gravel or 5000 10910 15,708 21400 35336 .25

Gravel (239 .40) (48 .5) (69 .9) (95 .2) (157 .05)

Sedimentary Rock 6000 13092 18,850 25680 42403 .50

(287 .28) (58 .2) (83 .8) (114 .2) (188 .46)

Crystalline Bedrock 12,000 26184 37,699 51360 84804 .75

(574 .56) (116 .5) (167 .7) (228 .4) (376 .91)

OF NO*


Notes :

1) The allowable gravity loads shown meet or exceed the requirements of the Canadian National Building Code,
Section 9.4.4 .1 .
2) Minimum concrete compressive strength shall be 3000 psi (20 .7 A'fPa) at 28 days .
3) Calculations are in accordance with CSA A23 .3-M77 which is equivalent to ACI 318 .95 .
4) Gravity loads include only dead loads (weight of construction materials) and service loads such as snow loads
and rain loads . Pier design and their ability to resist lateral and uplift loads is beyond the scope of this table.
5) Piers requiring design for earthquake loads shall be designed by a qualified Professional
Engineer .
6) Maximum lift when pouring concrete is 16" (40 .6 cm)
7) Allowable loads shown are for use in the US . and are based on soil bearing pressure values provided by BOCA .
Canadian users should refer to table BFS-T101,(Canada) .
8) Bigfoot System' Footing Forms are not intended as a substitute foundation system for the full
foundations commonly used under residential housing unless they have been designed to do so
by a qualified professional engineer .

GATE , QJ\

K. DUAL . o

6784 1
 TABLE BFS-T101
CANADA

Allowable Loads on BIGFOOT Systems Footing Forms

Models BF 20, BF24, BF28 and BF36

Soil Allowable Soil Model BF 20 Model BF24 Model BF28 Model BF36
Description Bearing Pressure Allowable Loads Allowable Loads Allowable Loads Allowable Loads
psf (kPa) lbs (kN) lbs (kN) lbs (kN) lbs (kNs)

Soft Clay 835 .60 (40 .00) 1823 .28 (8 .1) 2624 .6 (11 .7) 3573 .0 (15 .9) 5913 (26 .28)

Loose Sand or 1044 .50 (50 .00) 2279 .10 (10 .1) 3280 .8 (14 .6) 4466 .3 (19 .9) 7391 (32 .85)
Gravel*
Firm Clay* 1566 .75 (75 .00) 3418 .65 (15 .2) 4921 .2 (21 .9) 6699 .4 (29 .8) 11085 (49 .27)

Compact or 2089 .00 (100 .00) 4558 .20 (20 .3) 6561 .6 (29 .2) 8932 .6 (39 .7) 14782 (65 .70)
Dense Silt*

Dense or 3133 .50 (150 .00) 6837 .3 (30 .4) 9842 .3 (43 .8) 13398 .8 (59 .6) 22174 (98 .55)
Compact Sand
or Gravel"

Stiff Clay* 3133 .50 (150 .00) 6837 .3 (30 .4) 9842 .3 (43 .8) 13398 .8 (59 .6) 22174 (98 .55)

Glacial Till 4178 .00 (200 .00) 9116 .4 (40 .5) 13123 .1 (58 .4) 17865 .1 (79 .5) 29565 (131 .40)

Clayey Shale 6267 .00 (300 .00) 13674 .6 (60 .8) 19712 .9 (87 .7) 26797 .7 (119 .2) 44347 (197.10)

Sound 10455 .00 (500 .00) 22812 .8 (101 .5) 32839.2 (146 .1) 44705.6 (198 .9) 73912 (328.50)
Bedrock


Notes:

1) The allowable loads shown meet or exceed the requirements of the National Building Code, Section 9.4.4.1.
2) * most common range of soils
2) Minimum concrete compressive strength shall be 3000 psi (20 .7 MPa) at 28 days.
3) Calculations are in accordance with CSA A23 .3-M77 which is equivalent to ACI 318 .95.
4) Gravity loads include only dead loads (weight of construction materials) and service loads such as snow loads and rain
loads. Pier design and their ability to resist lateral and uplift loads is beyond the scope of this table .
5) Piers requiring design for earthquake loads shall be designed by a qualified Professional
Engineer.
6) Maximum lift when pouring concrete is 16" (40 .6 cm)
7) Bigfoot Systems ®footing forms are not intended as a substitute foundation system for the full
foundations commonly used under residential housing unless they have been designed to do so
by a qualified professional engineer .


NOTES : ABOVE GROUND APPLICATION

1 . TOTAL COMBINED I-EIGHT OF BIGFOOT SYSTEMS°

FOOTING FORM MUST NOT EXCEED FIVE FEET(S) .

2 DRILL 3/g' HOLE AT A45 DEGREE ANGLE AT EACH

DETENT MARK

3. DRIVE A 17 SPIKE THROUGH 3S' HOLE ATA 45

DEGREE ANGLEIMNARD&

4. TUBES MUST BE BRACED ONCE THE COMBINED

HEIGHT EXCEEDS THREE FEET (3)ABOVE GROUND.

CONSTRUCTION TUBE 5. SCAB BOARDS ARE FASTENED TO THE CONSTRUCTION

TUBE WITH 1-1/4' WOOD SCREWS FROM THE INSIDE OF
THE TUBE

6. BIGFOOT SYSTEMS° FOOTI NG FORMS MUST BE

PLACED ON UNDISTURBED GROUND .

7. CHECK ALIGNMENT OF CONSTRUCTION TUBE BEFORE

POURING CONCRETE .
5' MAX

SPIKE DETE NTS

12"SPIKE S @4 5 DEGREE ANGLE

UNDISTURBED GROUND 4.OFIssfON

BIGFOOT SYSTEMS FOOTING FORM

TTTLE

ABOVE GROUND APPLICATION

SIZE CAGE CODE DWG NO I REV

DRAWN : KD A BFS-101
-------------------- I
SCALE SHEET
DATE : 4 OCT 99 1 I of l
.= 1'


T
I
CONSTRUCTION TUBE NOTES : BELOW GRADE APPLICATION
I----
1 . THE TOTAL COMBINED HEIGHT OF BIGFOOT SYSTEMS®
FINISH GRADE FOOTING FORM MUST NOT EXCEED THIRTEEN FEET (13') .

2 . SCREW CONSTRUCTION TUBE TO FOOTING FORM WITH

A MINIMUM OF FOUR (4) 3/4" #8 WOOD SCREWS .

3 . BIGFOOT SYSTEMS®FOOTING FORMS MUST BE PLACED

ON UNDISTURBED GROUND OR 4"-6" COMPACTED GRAVEL

4 . BACKFILL MUST BE PLACED UP TO A MINIMUM OF 2' TO

A MAXIMUM OF 5' FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOTING
FORM . THE BACKFILL IS INTENDED TO HOLD THE FOOTING
FORM IN PLACE .

5 . BACKFILL SHOULD BE CONSOLIDATED WITH A MANUAL

PLATE TAMPER OR f '2 X 4" ON E ND . DO NOT STRIKE
BIGFOOT SYSTEMS ®FOOTING FORM . D O NOT OVER
CONSOLIDATE SO AS TO DISTORT THE SHELL OF THE
FOOTING FORM .

6 . CHECK ALIGNMENT OF CONSTRUCTION TUBE AFTER

BACKFILLING .
5'

2'

UNDISTURBED GROUND OR ~-n Of JO,

BIGFOOT SYSTEMS FOOTING FORM
4"- 6" COMPACTED GRAVEL

o r
rh TITLE
K . UUKk RD BELOW GRADE APPLICATION
o /
r c
OP N SIZE CAGE CODE DWG NO REV
BFS-102 11
DRAWN : KD A 1
SCALE SHEET
DATE 16 FEB 2000 1 1 OF 1
.= 1'
m
 IV
I

SCAB BOARDS X 4

B RACES X4

STAKES X 4

CONSTRUCTION TUB

- SCREWS

FOOTING FORM

UNDISTURBED GROUND, OR 4"-6"

COMPACTED CRUSHED GRAVEL

NOT TO SCALE SCALE : 1"= 8"

r
BIGFOOT SYSTEMS FOOTING FORM
DAT-/
n
cT+ TITLE
K CUR WORD
T, BRACING
6784
OF NO SIZE CAGE CODE DWG NO IREV
BFS-103
DRAWN : KD
-------------------- A 1
DATE : 16 FEB 2000 SCALE SHEET
I OF I
m