Existing raft foundation design methods are discussed. A computer model for rectangular rafts on a layered soil system has been used to obtain graphical solutions for settlements and maximum bending moments in a uniformly loaded square raft resting on a homogeneous soil layer of finite depth. A simple hand calculation of an equivalent modulus and Poisson's ratio extends the applicability of the graphical solutions to multi-layered soil systems. The importance of considering the rigidity of the superstructure is emphasized by comparing the results of alternative analytical methods. /TRRL/