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2 - Foundations and Substructure

1) Foundations are the structures below ground level that transfer loads from buildings to the soil. This includes the substructure and ground floor. 2) Foundations must safely transfer the dead, imposed, and wind loads of the building without causing settlement that could damage the building. 3) Proper foundation design considers soil conditions, structural loads, economics, and potential subsoil movements to choose a suitable foundation type and size it appropriately.

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123 views17 pages

2 - Foundations and Substructure

1) Foundations are the structures below ground level that transfer loads from buildings to the soil. This includes the substructure and ground floor. 2) Foundations must safely transfer the dead, imposed, and wind loads of the building without causing settlement that could damage the building. 3) Proper foundation design considers soil conditions, structural loads, economics, and potential subsoil movements to choose a suitable foundation type and size it appropriately.

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Foundations and Substructure

Kavita Ramnarine-Ramsawak
BSc. Civil Eng., MSc. Coastal Eng. & Mngmt,
M.ASCE, MAPETT, R.Eng
Typical Building
Substructure
• Defined as all the structure below the
superstructure which in general terms is
considered to include all the structure
below ground level but including the
ground floor bed.
Foundation
• The foundation is the base on which a
building rests and its purpose is to
safely transfer the load of the building
to a suitable soil
• This load comprises the dead, imposed
and wind loads
• It should transfer the load in such a
manner as not to cause any settlement
or other movement which would
impair the stability or cause damage to
any part of the building
Terminology
• Backfill : Materials excavated from site and if suitable used to fill
in around the walls and the foundation
• Bearing capacity: safe load per unit area which the ground can
carry
• Bearing pressure: the pressure produced on the ground by the
loads
• Settlement : ground movement which may be caused by
• Deformation of the soil due to imposed loads
• Volume changes of the soil as a result of seasonal conditions
• Mass movement of the ground in unstable areas
Subsoil Movements can affect our foundation
How trees affect
foundations and
buildings
Cracks in Walls
• Cracking in walls are caused by applied forces which exceed
those that the building can withstand.
• Most cracking is superficial, occurring as materials dry out
and subsequently shrink to reveal minor surface fractures of
< 2mm. These insignificant cracks can be made good with
proprietary fillers.
Severe Cracking in Walls
Severe cracking in walls may result from foundation
failure, due to inadequate design or physical damage.
Further problems could include:
• Structural instability
• Air infiltration
• Sound insulation reduction
• Rain penetration
• Heat loss
• Visual depreciation
Conduct a Survey
1. the cause of cracking, that is:
• Loads applied externally, (tree roots, subsoil movement)
• Climate/temperature changes (thermal movement)
• Moisture content (faulty dpc, building leakage)
• Vibration (adjacent work, traffic)
• Changes in physical composition (salt or ice formation)
• Chemical change (corrosion or sulfate attack)
• Biological change (timber decay)
2. The effect of a building’s performance (structural and
environmental)
3. The nature of movement -completed, ongoing,
intermittent (seasonal)
1. Assessment of site conditions in the context of
Basic Design the site and soil investigation report.
Procedure 2. Calculation of anticipated structural loading(s).
3. Choosing the foundation type taking into
consideration:
• Soil conditions;
• Type of structure;
• Structural loading(s);
• Economic factors;
• Time factors relative to the proposed contract period;
• Construction problems.
4. Sizing the chosen foundation in the context of
loading(s), ground bearing capacity and any likely
future movements of the building or structure.
Materials used in Foundations
References

Construction Technology Volume 1-4


By R. Chudley

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