Floors/Heavy Duty Pads

Pad foundations are a form of spread foundation formed by rectangular, square, or sometimes circular concrete ‘pads’ that support localized single-point loads such as structural columns, groups of columns or framed structures. This load is then spread by the pad to the bearing layer of soil or rock below. Pad foundations can also be used to support ground beams.

A pad foundation should be designed to effectively spread a concentrated force into a bearing stratum. They are a popular design solution as they are generally cost-effective and are relatively easy to design and construct, and are suitable for most subsoils except loose sands, loose gravels and filled areas.

In order for pad foundations to spread the load into the soil, the pad must be either sufficiently deep (allowing the force of the load to spread out at a pre-defined angle), or be constructed with adequate reinforcement. The soil’s bearing capacity, as well as the concrete’s strength, are the factors that define the angle of the load’s spread.