Hybrid Steel Raft Foundation™

(Composite Steel Grid Foundation for Maximum Stability, Multi-Unit Loads & Complex Terrain)

The Hybrid Steel Raft Foundation™ is WAN-NSO’s advanced composite platform system engineered for mid-rise modular buildings, multi-pod commercial complexes, industrial clusters, and stacked prefab structures.
It combines a precision-fabricated steel I-beam raft with a reinforced composite base layer, producing one of the most versatile and load-resilient modular foundation systems in global use.

It is specifically optimized for:

  • high uniform loads
  • dynamic lateral forces
  • variable soil profiles
  • rapid deployment on difficult terrain

TECHNICAL STRUCTURAL DIAGRAM — HYBRID STEEL RAFT

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MODULAR SUPERSTRUCTURE │
│ (Multi-Unit, Multi-Level, High-Load Modular Buildings) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
▲
│ STABILIZED LOAD TRANSFER
▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STEEL RAFT GRID (Cross-Braced I-Beam Frame) │
│ ------------------------------------------------------------------ │
│ • Structural I-beams, fully cross-braced │
│ → Controls torsion, racking & lateral drift │
│ │
│ • Dynamic Vibration Dampening │
│ → Reduces resonance from mechanical equipment, pedestrian loads, │
│ wind oscillation, and modular stacking alignment shifts. │
│ │
│ • Seismic-Compatible Geometry │
│ → Energy-dissipating nodes prevent brittle structural failure. │
│ │
│ • Hot-dip galvanized for 70–90 year corrosion resistance │
│ → Ideal for coastal / industrial / high-humidity regions. │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
▲
│ SHEAR, COMPRESSION & LOAD DISTRIBUTION
▼
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ COMPOSITE BASE LAYER (Reinforced Concrete Bed) │
│ ---------------------------------------------------- │
│ • High-strength concrete (fiber + silica modified) │
│ • Functions as a load spread plate, preventing │
│ point-load concentration. │
│ │
│ • Anti-Corrosion Barrier: epoxy or nano-ceramic coat │
│ → Protects steel interface & ensures long-term │
│ chemical stability. │
│ │
│ • Connective Shear Keys: │
│ → Prevent lateral sliding during earthquakes, │
│ wind shear or hydrostatic soil pressure. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
▲
│ GROUND CONTACT & SETTLEMENT CONTROL
▼
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ COMPACTED ENGINEERED SUBGRADE (High Stability Zone) │
│ -------------------------------------------------------- │
│ • Uniform compaction ensures even settlement. │
│ • Designed to have Low Movement Index (LMI). │
│ • Enhanced using region-specific stabilization: │
│ → Lime & cement blends (clay soils) │
│ → Polymer stabilization (coastal sands) │
│ → Geo-grid reinforcement (weak or peat soils) │
│ │
│ • Engineered for high structural loads & long service life│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

ENGINEERING RATIONALE & PERFORMANCE BEHAVIOR

1. Multi-Directional Structural Stability

The Steel Raft Grid behaves like an engineered exoskeleton:

  • Resists torsional twisting
  • Mitigates lateral shear during high winds
  • Provides uniform support for stacked modular buildings
  • Enhances rigidity across large modular footprints

Its cross-braced I-beam geometry ensures predictable deformation behavior, ideal for mid-rise modular developments.

2. Vibration Dampening & Dynamic Load Performance

Unlike concrete-only slabs, the steel raft system provides:

  • lower natural frequency
  • dissipation of mechanical vibrations
  • improved comfort in multi-level modular units

This makes it ideal for:

  • workshops
  • commercial buildings
  • industrial machinery rooms
  • residential mid-rise structures

3. Superior Corrosion Resistance

WAN-NSO applies hot-dip galvanization plus nano-ceramic sealant, achieving:

  • 70–90 year corrosion durability
  • high resistance to salt, humidity, and industrial contaminants
  • minimal maintenance across the structure’s lifespan

This makes it exceptionally suitable for coastal regions, port cities, and chemical-industrial zones.

4. Optimized for Difficult Terrain

The Hybrid Steel Raft is purpose-built for areas where:

  • deep excavation is not feasible
  • water tables are high
  • soil mechanics are unpredictable
  • the project must be installed rapidly
  • heavy modular stacks must be supported

It performs reliably in:

  • swampy ground
  • shoreline soils
  • rocky terrain
  • expansive clay belts
  • reclaimed land

5. Heavy Load Compatibility

Because the system distributes load across a steel grid before transferring it to the composite layer, it supports:

  • large modular compounds
  • 2–5 story modular stacks
  • industrial equipment clusters
  • long-span commercial layouts

Load dispersion is highly optimized due to the raft-like behavior of the steel frame.

GLOBAL USE CASE PERFORMANCE PROFILE

United States

  • Texas & Louisiana — soft clay + flood zones
  • California — seismic demand + poor soil pockets
  • Pacific Northwest — rainfall saturation

South America

  • Brazil — rainforest waterlogging and lateritic soils
  • Chile — seismic vulnerability zones

Caribbean

  • Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Jamaica — coastal corrosion + high winds

Europe

  • Netherlands — low-lying water-saturated soils
  • Italy & Greece — seismic belt foundations

Middle East

  • UAE & Oman — loose dune sands, high heat expansion
  • Saudi Arabia — mixed rocky and desert profiles

South Africa

  • Durban — coastal salinity
  • Gauteng — expansive clays and lateritic earth

BEST FOR:

✔ Large modular compounds
✔ Multi-level modular housing
✔ Commercial buildings
✔ Industrial clusters and fabrication pods
✔ Projects requiring rapid deployment
✔ Sites with poor or variable soil mechanics
✔ Coastal or high-corrosion regions