A raft foundation is a type of foundation that is used to support buildings on weak soil or in areas with high water tables. Synonyms for a raft foundation include a mat foundation, a slab-on-grade foundation, and a continuous footing foundation. Mat foundations are often used for larger buildings because they distribute the weight of the building over a larger area. Slab-on-grade foundations are commonly used for single-story residential buildings on level ground. Continuous footing foundations are used when the building has a continuous wall footing that extends around the perimeter of the building. All of these types of foundations are used to provide stability and support for buildings on unstable or weak soils.