Raft Foundation for New Build House in Norfolk

To construct a new Potton home in Norfolk UK, a raft foundation was necessary. The entire area of the new building was covered by a reinforced concrete raft slab, which floated on the ground to distribute the load. Raft foundations are employed only when it is impractical to use traditional strip or trench fill foundations. Subsequently, the Potton house was assembled on the slab, utilizing timber framing.

What are raft foundations?

Raft foundations are large concrete slabs that spread the weight of a building evenly over a larger area of soil, reducing the amount of settlement and ensuring greater stability. They are typically used in situations where the soil is not strong enough to support the weight of a building, or when the ground is uneven.

Raft foundations are also preferred when the building is constructed on soft clay or silt soils, or where there is a possibility of ground movement due to adjacent construction work. By using a raft foundation, the building’s weight is distributed over a wider area, reducing the load on the soil and minimizing the risk of structural damage over time.