Foundation structure

Abstract

The invention provides a method of constructing a composite foundation structure ( 10 ) comprising shuttering ( 12 ) of pre-cast panels ( 14 ), defining an intersecting grid of channels ( 16 ) wherein beams ( 18 ) of settable material are cast. The panels ( 14 ) are connected to form rectangular structures ( 14.1 ). The rectangular structures are arranged on the ground ( 22 ), with the panels ( 14 ) in parallel extending spaced relationship, and with adjacent rectangular structures ( 14.1 ) being connected to and spaced from each other by spacers ( 20 ) of the same material. An interesting grid of channels ( 16 ) is thus defined between the rectangular structures ( 14.1 ). Thereafter a settable material is cast into the channels ( 16 ) and across the rectangular structures ( 14.1 ) and allowed to set. The concrete bonds to the pre-cast panels ( 14 ) and spacers ( 20 ) to form an integral composite foundation structure ( 10 ) that can be constructed relatively easily in problem soils.

1 . A method of constructing a composite foundation structure including the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of panels;    arranging the panels to provide shuttering defining a grid of intersecting channels for receiving settable material;    casting settable material into the channels; and    allowing the settable material to set and to bond to the shuttering so that the panels are incorporated into the foundation structure as an integral part thereof.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , which includes the further step of providing a level surface on which the shuttering is constructed.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the shuttering are arranged such that they form angular structures each defining an internal opening, the grid of channels being defined between adjacent structures.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein adjacent structures are connected to and spaced from each other with spacers.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3  or  4  insofar as they are dependant on  claim 2  wherein the step of providing a level surface on which the shuttering is constructed includes levelling the existing soil surface, by removing soil, which includes the further step of returning removed soil to the internal openings after the step of arranging the panels and prior to casting the settable material into the channels.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , which includes the further step of compacting the soil in the openings.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels are selected from the group comprising non-degradable pre-cast concrete and fibre reinforced cementicious material.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the spacers are of cementicious material.  
   
   
       9 . A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
   
   
       10 . A composite foundation structure constructed according to the method of any one of  claims 1  to  9 .  
   
   
       11 . A foundation structure comprising a grid of intersecting beams of set settable material and shuttering of pre-cast panels bonded to the settable material.  
   
   
       12 . A foundation structure according to  claim 11  wherein the shuttering is of settable material.  
   
   
       13 . A foundation structure according to  claim 11  or  12  wherein the panels are selected from the group comprising non-degradable pre-cast concrete and fibre reinforced cementicious material.  
   
   
       14 . A foundation structure substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.