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Foundations

Foundation engineering involves the design and construction of foundations that support structures and transmit loads to soil or rock, utilizing knowledge from geology, soil mechanics, and structural engineering. Foundations are categorized into shallow and deep types, with various common types such as spread footings, strip footings, and driven piles, each serving specific structural needs. The selection of foundation type is influenced by factors like adequate depth, bearing capacity, settlement, and soil conditions.

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7 views4 pages

Foundations

Foundation engineering involves the design and construction of foundations that support structures and transmit loads to soil or rock, utilizing knowledge from geology, soil mechanics, and structural engineering. Foundations are categorized into shallow and deep types, with various common types such as spread footings, strip footings, and driven piles, each serving specific structural needs. The selection of foundation type is influenced by factors like adequate depth, bearing capacity, settlement, and soil conditions.

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Research from: Foundation Engineering Handbook

A foundation is defined as that part of the structure that supports the weight of the structure and
transmits the load to underlying soil or rock. In general, foundation engineering applies the
knowledge of geology, soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and structural engineering to the design
and construction of foundations for buildings and other structures. The most basic aspect of
foundation engineering deals with the selection of the type of foundation, such as using a shallow
or deep foundation system.

Another important aspect of foundation engineering involves the development of design


parameters, such as the bearing capacity or estimated settlement of the foundation. Foundation
engineering could also include the actual foundation design, such as determining the type and
spacing of steel reinforcement in concrete footings. Foundation engineering often involves both
geotechnical and structural engineers, with the geotechnical engineer providing the foundation
design parameters such as the allowable bearing pressure and the structural engineer performing
the actual foundation design.

Foundations are commonly divided into two categories: shallow and deep foundations.

Category Common types Comments

Shallow foundations Spread footings Spread footings (also called


pad footings) are often square
in plan view, are of uniform
reinforced concrete thickness,
and are used to support a
single column load located
directly in the center of the
footing.

Strip footings Strip footings (also called


wall footings) are often used
for load-bearing walls. They
are usually long reinforced
concrete members of uniform

1
width and shallow depth.

Combined footings Reinforced-concrete


combined footings are often
rectangular or trapezoidal in
plan view, and carry more
than one column load.

Mat foundation A large and thick reinforced-


concrete foundation, often of
uniform thickness, that is
continuous and supports the
entire structure. A mat
foundation is considered to be
a shallow foundation if it is
constructed at or near ground
surface.

Deep foundations Driven piles Driven piles are slender


members, made of wood,
steel, or precast concrete, that
are driven into place by pile-
driving equipment.

Piers Similar to cast-in-place piles,


piers are often of large
diameter and contain
reinforced concrete. Pier and
grade beam support are often
used for foundation support
on expansive soil.

Caissons Large piers are sometimes


referred to as caissons. A

2
caisson can also be a
watertight underground
structure within which
construction work is carried
on.

Mat or raft foundation If a mat or raft foundation is


constructed below ground
surface or if the mat or raft
foundation is supported by
piles or piers, then it should
be considered to be a deep
foundation system.

Floating foundation A special foundation type


where the weight of the
structure is balanced by the
removal of soil and
construction of an
underground basement.

Basement-type foundation A common foundation for


houses and other buildings in
frost-prone areas. The
foundation consists of
perimeter footings and
basement walls that support a
wood floor system. The
basement floor is usually a
concrete slab.

Shallow and Deep Foundations

The selection of a particular type of foundation is often based on a number of factors, such as:

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Adequate depth. The foundation must have an adequate depth to prevent frost damage. For such
foundations as bridge piers, the depth of the foundation must be sufficient to prevent
undermining by scour

Bearing capacity failure. The foundation must be safe against a bearing capacity failure.

Settlement. The foundation must not settle to such an extent that it damages the structure.

Quality. The foundation must be of adequate quality so that it is not subjected to deterioration,
such as from sulfate attack.

Adequate strength. The foundation must be designed with sufficient strength that it does not
fracture or break apart under the applied superstructure loads. The foundation must also be
properly constructed in conformance with the design specifications.

Adverse soil changes. The foundation must be able to resist long-term adverse soil changes. An
example is expansive soil, which could expand or shrink causing movement of the foundation
and damage to the structure.

Seismic forces. The foundation must be able to support the structure during an earthquake
without excessive settlement or lateral movement

Based on an analysis of all of the factors listed above, a specific type of foundation (i.e., shallow
versus deep) would be recommended by the geotechnical engineer.

Shallow Foundations

A shallow foundation is often selected when the structural load will not cause excessive
settlement of the underlying soil layers. In general, shallow foundations are more economical to
construct than deep foundations.

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