RAFT POD SLAB
What is Raft Pod Slab? The Raft Pod Slab System is a better way of building concrete slabs for new homes, extensions or commercial industrial buildings.
A raft slab foundation is an above-ground foundation used to provide load-bearing capacity in expansive, rocky or hydro collapsible soils. The foundation consists of a perimeter flooring and a series of narrow internal beams or strip footings with one-meter centres running each way. Edge formwork makes the sides of the slab and pods create voids between the strip footings.
- The original Raft foundation system revolutionised the way floors were constructed. Now, over 20 years later, ‘poly pod’ Raft floors remain the go-to for builders looking for cost efficiency, quicker construction, and seismic strength.
- Raft floors can be honed to expose aggregates or coloured to become your home’s feature floor.
ADVANTAGES OF A RAFT POD SLAB
- Reduced costs Construction can continue in all weather – As the Raft slab floor is built on the ground, and not in the ground, this means that construction isn’t weather-dependent. The installation can commence and continue even in very wet weather.
- Prompt installation and less waste – As the Raft slab system is efficiently designed the labour involved, and therefore time, is heavily reduced. This speeds up installation markedly. Compared to traditional foundations, there is also much less excavated material and waste.
- Seismically sound – In comparison with conventional footings-based foundations, Raft slabs are seismically strong and performs better in an earthquake.
- Cost-saving – Raft foundations are cost saving when compared to traditional foundation methods, as there is no need to dig footings.
- Energy-efficient – Boasting a great thermal rating, insulated Raft concrete foundations are compatible with underfloor heating.
- Raft slabs are popularly used for residential and light commercial flooring.
- Less concrete waste
- Minimal disturbance of soil
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Strong and durable
- Thermal value
- Low water absorption
- Recyclable (sustainable material)
- Manufactured in New Zealand
- Made from fire retardant grade raw material
- Ability to accurately predict the required concrete quantities
RAFT POD SIZES
All measurements in millimetres (height, length, width)
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1100 x 1100 x 200
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1100 x 1100 x 220
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1100 x 1100 x 300
INSTALLATION OF A RAFT SLAB
The raft pod slab consists of 4 main steps in the construction process:
Ensuring the building site is level – If the building site is not level, it is required to cut and fill the site until the surface has become completely flat and levelled surface has been achieved.
Raft pod layout – Once the site has been levelled and first plumbing alongside white ant treatment has been conducted the pods are ready for layout. The area is then set up with outside edge boards and covered in plastic sheeting. Next, the raft pods are laid out with spacers in a grid pattern within the formwork.
Reinforcement bars – After this, the reinforcement bars are
dropped on top of the spacers between the raft pods. The top mesh is then laid.
Pouring concrete – Finally, the concrete is carefully poured, ensuring the intersecting are completely filled, and the waffle pods and mesh are covered
EPS PODS
EPS Pods are suitable for any raft or floating pod floor system used throughout New Zealand. Made from expanded polystyrene, Pods are exceptionally durable, retaining compressive strength, resistance to water and thermal insulation for the life of the building.
For a solid insulation solution, Pods achieve a substantially higher R-value than other insulating materials. Expanded polystyrene has a long-established reputation for creating energy efficient homes that rely less on heating and cooling.
Made of 98% air and containing recycled material, Pods are exceptionally strong and do not settle over time.
RAFT POD SIZES
All measurements in millimetres (height, length, width, height)
1100 x 1100 x 200 mm
1100 x 1100 x 220 mm
1100 x 1100 x 300 mm
ADVANTAGES OF EPS IN BUILDING EPS consists of 98% air and has long been used as a thermal insulator in a number of applications. The insulating ability of EPS makes it an ideal material for energy efficient building products particularly when combined with its other properties: • Lightweight making it easy to transport and install; • Moisture resistant increasing water penetration resistance; • Sound absorbency which increases sound insulation particularly when used in combination with harder building materials such as concrete; • Safe to use – EPS is non-toxic, does not contain CFCs, can be 100% recycled, does not harbour micro-organisms, is odourless and non-allergenic; • Versatile in that it can be moulded, shaped and cut into virtually any shape or pattern. This allows the cost-effective production of numerous decorative building products such as mouldings and cornices; • Fire retardant – All EPS used in TASS building products is fire retardant and will not propagate or contribute to the spread of fire; • Long lasting – EPS does not rot or degrade over time and remains dimensionally stable so EPS building products will remain fully functional for the life of any building in which they are used.
DESIGN OF A RAFT POD SLAB
AN APPOINTED ENGINEER WILL PROVIDE YOUR PROJECT WITH A DESIGN. Our team will work closely with your engineers and architects to achieve the best outcome for your project.
Example of a typical plan view of a Raft Design
Example of a Typical sections of a Raft slab.
MANUFACTURING STANDARD All products and grades of Expanded Polystyrene supplied by Slabline for pod floors comply with manufacturing standard AS 1366 Part 3 1992.
CONTACT US FOR A QUOTATION.
