Method and arrangement for precast floating foundation

Abstract

A floating foundation assembly includes a plurality of piers and one or more decks. The plurality of piers are screwed into or otherwise secured to a ground surface at predetermined distances from each other, at predetermined depths. The one or more decks include a precast prestressed deck with standardized geometries. The one or more precast prestressed decks are installed transversely across tops of the plurality of piers and are configured for affixing a structure above them. The one or more precast prestressed decks are manufactured in a controlled environment at an off-construction site, after which they are transported to a construction site and installed on top of the plurality of piers to form the floating foundation assembly. These resulting decks and supporting floating foundation assemblies have superior quality, durability, weatherproofing, and crack resistance.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A floating foundation assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of piers arranged at predetermined distances from each other in a ground surface; and   one or more precast prestressed decks, arranged transversely across tops of the plurality of piers, configured for affixing a structure on top of the one or more precast prestressed decks.   
     
     
         2 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of piers are screwed at predetermined depths in the ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined distances and the predetermined depths are based on at least one of a size of the structure, a shape of the structure, a load of the structure, and one or more characteristics of soil underlying sections of the structure. 
     
     
         4 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more decks are precast and prestressed in an environment at a location different from a location of the plurality of piers, and wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks are transported to the location of the plurality of piers once the plurality of piers is arranged at the predetermined distance from each other in the ground surface. 
     
     
         5 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more precast decks are prestressed on a 300 to 400 feet prestressing line prior to their arrangement across the tops of the plurality of piers. 
     
     
         6 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks are spaced apart to spread a load of the structure in a predetermined manner over the piers. 
     
     
         7 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of piers comprise helical steel screw piers. 
     
     
         8 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks comprise green concrete. 
     
     
         9 . The floating foundation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks comprise a ribbed deck, a waffle deck, or both. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a foundation assembly, the method comprising:
 arranging a plurality of piers at predetermined distances from each other in a ground surface; and   installing one or more precast prestressed decks, transversely across tops of the plurality of piers, for affixing a structure on top of the one or more precast prestressed decks.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein arranging the plurality of piers comprises screwing the plurality of piers at predetermined depths in the ground surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined depths and the predetermined distances at which the plurality of piers are screwed in the ground surface are based on at least one of a size of the structure, a shape of the structure, a distributed load of the structure, characteristics of the underlying soil, and local historical weather conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 prestressing the one or more precast prestressed decks at a location different from a location of the plurality of piers; and   transporting the one or more precast prestressed decks to the location of the plurality of piers.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein prestressing the one or more precast prestressed decks occurs prior to installing the one or more precast prestressed decks on top of the plurality of piers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising prestressing the one or more precast prestressed decks on a 300 to 400 feet prestressing line. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 coupling the one or more precast prestressed decks to the plurality of piers; and   loading walls of the structure on the installed one or more precast prestressed decks.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks are configured to evenly spread loads of the structure across the piers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of piers comprise helical steel screw piers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks comprise green concrete. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more precast prestressed decks comprise a ribbed deck, a waffle deck, or both. 
     
     
         21 . A method of determining locations and depths of piers for supporting a foundation, the method comprising:
 determining load distributions for a structure across an area supporting the structure;   based on the load distributions and soil characteristics across the area, determining locations and corresponding depths of the piers to support the structure;   inserting the piers into the soil at the locations to the corresponding depths; and   coupling precast, prestressed decks to the piers, thereby forming a floor of a foundation.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the soil characteristics comprise the load-bearing properties of the soil. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the soil characteristics correspond to types of the soil, a slope of the soil, or any combination thereof.