Types of Raft Foundation

Various types of Raft foundation used depending on the condition of soil and the
load transfer mechanism on the foundation.
Followings are the different types of raft foundation used in construction:
1.Flate plate mat
2.Plate thickened under the column
3.Two-way beam and slab Raft
4.Plate raft with pedestals
5.Plied raft
6.Rigid Frame Mat or Cellular Raft Foundation

Different types of mat foundation are briefly discussed below.

1. Flat Plate Mat
This is the simple form of raft foundation used when the columns and walls are
uniformly spaced at small intervals and subjected load are relatively very small.
Reinforcement is fixed in both directions and more reinforcement is required at the
column locations and load bearing walls. The thickness of this types of raft
foundation is generally restricted within 0.3 m for economic reason. A thicker slab
would not be very economical.
2. Plate Thickened under Columns

When the columns and load bearing walls are subjected to very heavy load, the slab
is thicken under the columns and walls also the extra reinforcement is also
provided to resist against diagonal shear and negative reinforcement.
3. Two-way Beam and Slab
In this type of foundations beams are cast singularly with the raft slab which is
connecting the columns and walls. This type of raft is suitable when the columns
are placed at a larger distance.
4. Plates with Pedestals
In this type of foundation, a pedestal is provided at the base of the columns.
Purpose of this type of foundation system is same as flat plate which thickened
under columns.
5. Piled Raft
This type of raft foundation is supported on piles which is used when the soil at a
shallow depth is highly compressible and the water table is very high. Piles under
raft always help in reducing settlement and provides more resistance against
buoyancy.
6. Rigid Frame Mat/Cellular Raft Foundation
In this type of raft foundation act as a deep beam where rigid frame mat is
referred when columns carry extremely heavy loads and the connecting beams exceeds
0.9m depth. Here two concrete slabs are placed from which one on top of another and
connected with foundation walls in both directions and it forms a cellular raft
foundation.Rigid frame mat is very rigid and is economical when the required slab
thickness is very high.