NZ769232A - A building element - Google Patents

Abstract

A building element for use in forming a slab or a foundation with a settable material, includes a body having an upper surface, a bottom, and sidewalls extending from the upper surface to the bottom. A hole extends into the body from the upper surface towards the bottom of the body. At least one rib-forming channel extends across the upper surface and intersects with the hole. At least one upright channel is in one of the sidewalls, the at least one upright channel extending from the bottom of the body to an associated rib-forming channel to be continuous with the associated rib-forming channel. Concrete is displaced or poured onto the building element system so that the upright channels and the rib-forming channels are filled with concrete with the concrete extending above the pods. When the material sets in the upright channels to define weight-bearing feet, there is provided an increased distribution of pressure on the substrate, as opposed to a case where the pods do not have such upright channels that extend to the bottom of the pod (building element). This can be useful where the substrate is relatively soft.