Floating Slabs for
Unheated Buildings
by Fredrick E. Crory
frost action.
During the past year, I've had several One sure way to protect a structure
inquiries about designing foundations from frost heaving is to elevate it on
for unheated or partially heated build- piers or piles. But this is not always
ings in northern New England. One was practical, particularly for garages, workfor
an unheated, three-car garage, shops, and other buildings that carry
another was for a small cottage that was motor vehicles, machinery, or other
to be heated only occasionally, and a heavy loads. Slab-on-grade foundathird
was for a warehouse that was to be tions, on the other hand, are