The Wafflemat™ Foundation Forming System

On-grade Mat Foundation for Expansive, Collapsible and Rocky Soils

Upfront

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The Wafflemat Foundation-Forming System

– What it is – and isn’t – Features – Typical installation steps – ‘How To’ – Photo Sequences – Technical resources – Contacts Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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Description

• What it is – Elevated post-tension slab (4” to 6”) poured monolithically over either 8.5” or 12” high, 19” x 19” foundation forms (‘Waffleboxes’), which provide void space for movement of soils – A series of ribs, 3’8” on center, are created by inter-connecting the foundation forms • What it’s not – Slab resting entirely on grade, made entirely of concrete, without a place for movement of soils – Dirt-formed rib system requiring significant trenching and construction Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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It is

is not...

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Section View

Top View Cross Section Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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Features

Design:

– Use on expansive, collapsible, and rocky soils. -

Performance:

Voids resist swelling from over-watering, surface drainage, and flooding. Ribbed footprint means less contact with soil, yet extremely stiff slab. Prefect placement of cables equals minimum sag/additional strength. Acts as built-in vapor barrier.

Implementation:

– No presoaking pads, no trenching for concrete beams, no footings, no earth spoils and off haul. Less depth of trenching for plumbing laterals beneath foundation forms. Quick -- and, fool proof -- set up/installation. -

References:

Millions of sf residential & light commercial space installed since 1995 in most difficult soil conditions in US and Mexico without one structural callback/failure.

One More: Made of “green” (re-cycled polypropylene plastic) materials

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Typical Installation Cycle

• Day 1: Form boards set, plumbing installed, inspection • Day 2: On-grade mat foundation forms (‘Waffleboxes’) spread and clipped/connected – Two sizes of void boxes; 8.5” uses plastic clips, 12” metal clips – Place tendons/anchor bolts – Set interior form; i.e., garage firewall / porch – Inspection • Day 3: Slab poured – Strong enough for crew to walk on Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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‘How To’

• Estimate number of Wafflebox foundation forms in footprint - Take total sf of footprint, divide by 4.15

- Example: 1500 sf / 4.15 = 361 Waffleboxes needed • Calculate number installed per man hour - Detailed survey of last 15 projects; most 175 per man hour, least 28 per man hour, average 75 per man hour • Determine yards of concrete in a Wafflemat slab - 28 sf per cubic yard using 8.5” Wafflebox w/ 5” slab - Example: 1500 sf / 28 = 54 yards Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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Setup

Setup

Groups of two/four Waffleboxes clipped & connected 12

Slab Pour

Finish

5,000 sf house in Hawaii

Note: Plumbing already up 16

Waffleboxes left out for point loads 17

Cables in Clips

Strong enough to walk on

Working in Hawaii

Waffleboxes ‘lock’ when concrete poured

Used on Multi Levels

Finished House

Technical Resources

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On Grade_Mat_Foundation_for_Expansive_Soils • Google: ‘On-grade mat foundations’ • Best Base Website  – ‘Technical Papers’

Wafflemat Slabs Provide Superior Performance

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Lowering the Carbon Footprint When Using the Wafflemat System for Concrete Slab Foundations

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Wafflemat System Design Considerations

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Wafflemat FAQ Thermo Mechanical Analysis of Wafflemat Samples Wafflemat and the IBC

Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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Contacts

• www.thebestbase.com

• • • • • • • Tom Richards ,

925.683.2739

Jim Winslow , Implementation: 925.352.2456 Rich Treanor , Planning/Production: 925.640.8680 Tom Bragg , Engineering Liaison: 925.915.0808 John Cook , S.E.: 707.578.8185 Dan Rhoades , G.E.: 925.932.1177 Greg Carr , P.E.: 925.336.6366 Best Base Confidential. All Rights Reserved.

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