A Guide To Floating Foundations
Foundations play a vital role in the construction of every type of structure.
Whether it is a new house, commercial building or even a bridge, foundations are there to provide the structure with a secure and solid base that the work can be built on top of while also bearing its significant weight.
Without a good quality foundation in place, the application will not be structurally sound and unsafe. In severe cases, the structure may even collapse as its weight cannot be held.
At Concrete Supply UK, we regularly supply our clients across the country with quality concrete mixes that are perfect for all kinds of domestic and commercial applications – and this includes foundations.
No matter what kind of foundation you’re looking to build, with our support you can rest assured that you will have the perfect concrete mix to complete the job to the highest technical standards always while prioritising safety.
Our mixes have been used for a variety of foundation types and this includes floating foundations.
But what is a floating foundation?
In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about floating foundations.
Read on to learn more…
What Is A Floating Foundation?
A floating foundation is a type of foundation that is built by excavating the soil in a unique way so that the weight of the structure will be equal to the total weight of the excavated soil.
These foundation types are made from concrete and unlike some alternative options are not directly attached to the soil or ground below – hence they are ‘floating’.
Usually, a floating foundation will be the preferred choice for projects where the ground is unstable or the soil is of a particularly bad quality. Usually, a reinforcement mesh or matting is laid between the piles in order to provide the area with more stability and to ensure that subsidence is less likely during the construction process.
Types Of Floating Foundations
There are two main types of floating foundations:
- Mat foundations
- Slab foundations
Let’s take a deeper look at both types.
Mat Foundations
Mat floating foundations usually comprise of a concrete slab that rests on top of the ground or a pile wall. Which method that is used will depend on the type of structure that is being built and the specifics of the project. While this technique is commonly used for projects across the UK, it is worth noting that the ground settlement can be impacted over time and it is also sensitive to water ingression.
Slab Foundations
Slab foundations, or monolithic slabs as this type is also known, involve the use of an integral or monolithic pad. This is a type of slab that is poured in as one element and that will almost always have the same thickness across its depth. In these instances, you can expect to see a beam framework underneath the slab which is able to transfer the load of the structure to the surrounding soil or pile walls. Usually, slab foundations are more commonly used for commercial applications and they will be constructed using a steel beam framework within the concrete pad.
Both floating foundation types have their various pros and cons, so it is worth carefully considering your options and the suitability of your project before making a final decision.
Benefits Of Floating Foundations
There are a whole host of benefits to using floating foundations.
This includes:
- Can be used in areas with a lower soil bearing capacity – As mentioned above, floating foundations are often the preferred choice for sites where the soil is of poor quality or unstable. They allow projects to still be built in these areas due to their unique style still ensuring structural stability.
- Excellent stability – Like with all foundation types, it is important that floating foundations provide great stability. Fortunately, this is always the case with floating foundations and you do not need to rely on the quality of your soil like in most cases. Instead, you will always have peace of mind that what is being built will be structurally sound and therefore safe for people to reside or work in once the work has been completed.
- Will not impact other foundations – If you are working on a project close to other structures and foundations, you do not need to worry about the work impacting what is already there. This is because the foundation is not directly attached to the soil or ground below like other types with its ‘floating’ nature helping to keep it separate.
- Less labour needed – Due to the fact that footer trenches are not required when building floating foundations, less labour is needed and the process can be completed fairly quickly. This is advantageous for projects operating on tighter deadlines or that need to be completed quickly. In some cases, this type of work can also be up to 50% cheaper than traditional deep foundations due to the fact less groundwork is required.
While suitable for a wide range of different project types, it is also worth noting that floating foundations are ideal for buildings or structures that are based in areas prone to high water tables or excess moisture. This is because they are less susceptible to water damage and they are commonly used when constructing boat docks, piers and other structures that need to be based on bodies of water.
Here at Concrete Supply UK, we regularly provide high-quality concrete mixes, such as readymix, fibre reinforced or self compacting, for foundations and a wide range of other projects. Serving customers across the country, we have earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s go-to concrete suppliers.
Whether you’re working on a home DIY project or a large-scale commercial job, our expert team will always be here to help. We understand that every project is different and therefore requires different things from its concrete. This is why we always create truly bespoke types of concrete mixes that are formulated to our customer’s exact needs. We’ll even calculate the quantities of concrete you need so you only ever pay for what you need. So, to place an order or find out more, contact Concrete Supply UK today.
