Rigid raft foundations are used in areas where large settlements can occur due to either subsidence or to consolidation.

In this situations, more rigid forms of construction are used, such as cellular rafts, and beam-strip rafts.

Fig: Plan view of beam-strip raft

Fig: Cellular raft The bearing pressure under a rigid raft is calculated as for an isolated base. Note that for a cellular raft (as for a basement) the removal of the overburden increases the net allowable bearing pressure. The actual bearing pressure under the raft will differ from the assumed pressure due to the effects of soil-structure interaction. The experienced foundation engineer takes account of the difference between the assumed and actual bearing pressure behaviours by making quick and conservative assumptions.

Fig: Rigid raft foundation For example, in areas of the subsidence a two thirds spanning and one third cantilever condition is recommended by Curtin.

Fig: Rigid raft foundation The most important consideration in the calculation of the design bending moments and shear forces for the raft is that the requirements of equilibrium are satisfied. The reactions at the positions of the columns must equal the applied loads