definition
strict definition
floating
An object freely supported by water or another liquid or semi-liquid substance, without a fixed foundation.
An object is considered floating when it has no foundation, but rather is freely supported on a body of water or other liquid or semi-liquid substance. Floating objects can be temporarily or permanently moored, at which time their foundation system changes.
Buoyancy provides the support while the object remains freely floating. The supporting substance need not be water alone.
Tethering the object to a fixed point gives it the separate mooring support classification. That can be temporary or permanent even though the object remains water-supported.
floating Photos
Related definitions
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caisson foundation
A foundation consisting of reinforced concrete piers which are poured into drilled holes in the ground. -
load-bearing wall foundation
A foundation in which the slurry wall or a vertical slab provides major load-bearing structural support. -
mat foundation
A foundation supporting essentially an entire building on a large continuous footing, sometimes combined with piles or caissons. -
mooring
A support arrangement tying a water-supported floating structure to a fixed point, temporarily or permanently. -
no foundation
An object designed to rest directly on the ground through its own cohesive construction, without a built foundation. -
pile foundation
A foundation consisting of vertical supports which are hammered into the ground. -
spread foundation
A foundation distributing structural loads through one or more broad horizontal footings, mats, or pads.