grillage

American  

[gril-ij] / ˈgrɪl ɪdʒ /

noun

1. a framework of crossing beams used for spreading heavy loads over large areas.

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grillage British  

/ ˈɡrɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. an arrangement of beams and crossbeams used as a foundation on soft ground

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Etymology

Origin of grillage

From French, dating back to 1770–80; grille, -age

Example Sentences

It meant that Burnham could use Root’s floating grillage for foundations without having to worry about catastrophic settlement.

From Literature

Workers laid foundations of immense timbers in crisscrossed layers in accord with Root’s grillage principle, then used steam-powered derricks to raise the tall posts of iron and steel that formed each building’s frame.

From Literature

On top of these they laid a grillage of steel, then filled it with cement.

From Literature

Once complete, this grillage of steel would be filled and covered with Portland cement to produce a broad, rigid raft that Root called a floating foundation.

From Literature

All timber grillage and the tops of all piles should be kept below the lowest water level, and be capped with concrete or stone.

From Project Gutenberg