Foundations for poor soils

摘要

A buoyant foundation for poor soils comprises a base layer formed from individual elements of a foamed synthetic plastics material and an upper layer 30 of aggregate or settable cementitious material such as concrete. The upper surface of the upper layer 30 is substantially horizontal surface for supporting an applied structure. The elements 20 transmit the load of the applied structure directly to the soil of a prepared site. Preferably, the synthetic plastics material of the elements 20 is polyurethane or polystyrene. The combined weight of the foundation, the applied structure and any dynamic loads gives an overall displacement weight which is no greater than the weight of the displaced soil material (water and soil combined). Neutral buoyancy stormwater drains and methods of forming buoyant foundations are also disclosed.