The residential foundation includes multiple complexities in its design.
The geometric configuration includes multiple perimeter angles, interior building corners, and hinge points. Hand calculations provide an approximate estimate for the complex design.
The foundation was analyzed using RiSA- ADAPT Builder to provide an accurate and precise analysis.
The traditional pti method derives its results from taking multiple rectangular areas and produces a conservative assumption of the load capacity that the foundation is capable of safely withstanding.
With a finite element analysis approach, the values are accurate and provide a more feasible understanding of actual design conditions. The ballpark assumptions are replaced with precise math and can depict the increased strength in the Wafflemat box slab structure.
In addition to the Wafflemat slab structure allowing for a stiffer slab and higher strength design values, it also allows for a cost-effective and timely solution for the project.
Wafflemat is easy to assemble and provides the proper support needed to ensure that it is built to every specification. All reinforcement has its proper location and clearances met with the supports included in the delivery package, all interior beams are pre-formed and held together with the box ties and material is shipped to the jobsite within 3 weeks of being ordered.
Wafflemat’s Engineering Department has been working to perfect the optimization of Wafflemat foundations, as well as produce the necessary recommendations to ensure that the construction documents reflect the most efficient method for its design.
The revised “value engineered” foundation drawings were submitted and approved by the City of Flower Mound. One key factor to consider in the construction of a Wafflemat foundation is that the grade must be level to ensure that the slab foundation is well balanced and level.
After ensuring the site is properly leveled, graded and compacted, then the form board are installed, similar to any other foundation system –no special accommodations are required for the exterior beams of a Wafflemat Foundation. The exterior beams are the only beams that require trenching.
After the form boards have been installed, the construction crew can begin to place the vapor barrier and then place the Wafflemat boxes. The Wafflemat Foundation System has a customized layout/configuration for each individual project. The construction documents include the optimized box layout and box spacing. The delivery includes all the boxes and clips needed to properly place and secure the recommended configuration.
The clips make it easy to perfectly align the placement of the boxes as well as provide the proper chair height to support the post-tensioned cables and ensure all reinforcing clearances are met, as it is critical for the design. The chair placement of the tendon provides the architect/engineer peace of mind knowing that the foundation tendons have been installed directly to their specifications – eliminating the possibility of over excavated interior beams and incorrect tendon clearances.
After the form boards, the plumbing, and Wafflemat boxes have been placed and the reinforcing steel or cable tendons have been installed, the concrete can be poured. The Wafflemat Foundation uses less concrete than what is required for a traditional foundation, and is a faster, safer, and more efficient method allowing the ease of the concrete crew to produce a quality foundation in a timely manner.
Recap:
Area of foundation: 10,000 ft2
Time spent pouring concrete: ½ day,
Wafflemat foundation effectively was a great alternative solution to the original design.
Not only did Wafflemat save overall cost and time by eliminating the soil remediation, it also reconfigured the foundation to optimize the area and produce a stiffer slab than a traditional pti design method approach.
When comparing values, the moment of inertia was 2.5x’s greater than the original slab design and eliminated the complexity of the original construction documents.
Call us today at 855-923-3628 or submit this form to see if we can optimize your next foundation!
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