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Sloof
STRUCTURE & PHYSICSintermediate
Definition
A reinforced concrete tie beam cast at or just above ground level, connecting the tops of the foundation pads or strip footings and providing a continuous base for the masonry walls above. Sloof distributes loads evenly across the foundation system and prevents differential settlement from cracking the walls. The term is derived from Dutch colonial engineering practice and remains standard in Indonesian construction vocabulary.
Example
In a typical Indonesian two-storey house, the sloof is cast first after the pondasi batu kali is complete — forming a level, reinforced concrete perimeter that ties all the column bases together before pasangan bata wall construction begins.