Get Fast 24 Hour Delivery Of Official Engineered Stamped Drawings For A Floating Slab

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Need Engineered Stamped
Drawings For Floating Slabs?

Floating Slab Stamp Just click the green "Get Yours Now" button above, fill out the details on your building and site in the form and click the submitbutton.

We will instantly receive your information and get started on your drawings right away. Within 24 business hours after ordering, we will then forwarded the drawings to you by e-mail or fax.

What Is A Floating Slab?

Floating slabs are used as a foundation for sheds, car garages, additions etc. It's a concrete slab with a deepened and reinforced perimeter but which does not have frost footings. This type of foundation is called a "floating slab" because it "floats" on the soil.

Why Use Floating Slabs?

Building a floating slab is one of the most economical methods of constructing a foundation. Traditional foundations include a strip footing with a frost wall above. The strip footing is installed below the frost level, usually 4'-0" below grade. The cost of a strip footing and frost wall is alot higher because there is more excavation, concrete and labour required.

Why do I need engineered stamped drawings?

Canadian building codes make it necessary to get engineered stamped drawings for floating slab foundation more than 55 m^2 (538 ft^2) in building area.

We provide floating slab drawings for:

- Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan & Prince Edward Island

What Types Of Buildings Need Engineered Stamped DrawingsFor Floating Slabs?

Floating slabs can be used for the following buildings:

Accessory Buildings

Garages

Drive sheds

Barns

Cottages

House additions (Plumbing allowed with special considerations)

Frequently Asked Questions (Click To Expand)

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1. How long does it take to get drawings?

Floating slab stamped drawings are delivered within 24 hours. In case of special requirement of clients to have the designs immediately we can deliver it within few hours.

2. Do I have to put insulation under the floating slab?

Insulation is required under a floating slab only when the space above is heated for a building of residental occupancy. The Ontario Building Code requires this under OBC 12.3.2.1 (Thermal Insulation for Buildings of Residental Occupancy).

2" of R10 insulation will meet this requirement.

3. Why do you use rebar in the top and bottom of the thickened slab portion (grade beam) of the floating slab?

The rebar in the bottom of the thickened slab portion (grade beam) turns the thickened portion into a traditional concrete beam. The load from the building above causes tension in the bottom of the grade beam. Concrete is not strong in tension, but steel is. The rebar in the top of the grade beam is to resist the inverted loads produced by soft spots in the soil under the beam.

4. Some contractors like to place poly under the floating slab, is this required?

No, but poly placed between the floating slab and the ground keeps the water in the newly placed concrete from draining out. This will make the concrete stronger.

5. Will there be some cracking on the slab surface?

Cracking in floating slabs is inevitable. This is due to concrete shrinkage or the bending forces from the soil movement below. Our slabs have been designed to control excessive cracking.

6. Where in the Ontario Building Code does it say when a floating slab needs engineered stamped drawings?

OBC Table 9.12.2.2 shows the minimum depths of foundations (which shows depth of foundation to below frost, ie 3'-11") But OBC 9.12.2.2 (6) (b) (iii) states these depths don't apply for buildings "not more than 55 m^2 (538 ft^2) in building area".

If you were over 55m^2, OBC 9.4.1.1 (1) (c) states that you are allow to design a structural member using loads and deflections in Part 4 (meaning engineered stamped drawings)

7. What kind of concrete should I use for the floating slab?

Ordering the proper concrete for your project is very important. According to the National and Ontario Building Codes and CSA A438 - Concrete Construction for Housing & Small Buildings for concrete exposed to freeze--thaw and deicing salts the concrete shall have:

Maximum water/ cementing materials (w/cm) ratio = 0.45

Minimum 28day compressive strength = 32 MPa

Air content = 5-8%

It is always a good idea to ask to see and keep a copy of the concrete delivery tickets from the ready mix truck to verify that the proper concrete has been ordered.

What are the rates for engineered stamped drawings?

Waddell Engineering will provide you 2 drawings in PDF format stamped by a professional engineer. The drawing are as follows:

Drawing FS1 - Foundation plan
Drawing FS2 - Cross sections through the floating slab + general construction notes.

Waddell Engineering Ltd.
119 Pinebush Rd. Cambridge ON.
Phone: 519-267-6789
Office Fax: 1-866-388-9659

Have Questions? Contact Us Now!