Cellular Raft Foundation

Cellular raft foundation is constructed on loose soil and on soil that tends to settle
unevenly for instance inactive mining site. In such condition, the thickness of the
constructed slab may exceed 1 meter, therefore the construction of cellular raft
foundation is preferable.
This type of foundation consists of two concrete slabs which are placed at a
distance ontop of each other. Beams are constructed between the two slabs in both
directions forming hollow cellular raft foundation. A cellular raft foundation is highly
rigid and is more economical compared to slab with the same thickness and rigidity.
The purpose of foundations is to resist vertical, lateral and uplift load and to
transmit a foundation load to a solid ground. Suitable for loose soil or soils that
tends to settle unevenly such as back filled inactive mining site. The thickness of
the constructed foundation may exceed 1 m. Other types of foundation are not
economical for this type of soil.
Advantages and disadvantages
Suitable for loose soil or soils that tends to settle unevenly such as back filled
inactive mining site. The thickness of the constructed foundation may exceed 1 m.
Other types of foundation are not economical for this type of soil.
A cellular raft consists of an arrangement of two-way interlocking foundation beams
with a ground bearing slab at the underside and a suspended slab at the top
surface. The upper and lower slabs are usually incorporated within the beams to
form I sections. The intersecting beams effectively break the large slab into two-way
spanning continuous small panels (see Fig. 9.26).
The top slab is cast using precast soffits or other forms of permanent formwork such
as lightweight infill blocks.
These rafts are used on sites subject to severe mining activity or in areas of poor
ground where large bending
moments are to be resisted. They are also used in locations where a valuable
increase in bearing capacity can be achieved by the removal of the overburden and
where deep foundation beams are required.