A cellar (Dutch: kelder) is a space in a building that lies wholly or largely below ground level. Cellars are used for storage, for technical installations, or — increasingly — as a full living, working or hobby room. If the space is only partly below ground with its floor just below street level, it is called a semi-basement (souterrain).
Structural aspects
A cellar always has to deal with earth and water pressure from outside. The structure must resist that pressure and be watertight:
- Watertight construction — often a “concrete tank” of water-resistant concrete, or masonry walls with a water barrier.
- Earth and water pressure — the walls act as retaining walls and must be designed against tipping and leakage.
- Uplift — below the groundwater level an empty cellar may want to float like a boat; its own weight and the foundation must prevent this.
- Daylight — through a cellar light or light well.
Application
- Storage — provisions, wine, bicycles, services.
- Living space — home office, cinema, gym or an extra room.
- Parking cellar — in larger buildings.
Points to watch
- The groundwater level is decisive: have it and the soil profile established with a ground investigation.
- Watertightness is crucial; putting it right afterwards is expensive and difficult.
- Provide ventilation to prevent damp and a musty smell.
Related terms
- Semi-basement
- Foundation
- Excavation
- Water barrier
- Cellar light
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