FOUNDATION:

Need for Foundation:

Foundations are essential to the stability and durability of buildings

because they distribute the weight of the structure across the ground
and protect it from external forces:

Stability: Foundations prevent uneven settlement of the building, which can

cause cracks and damage.

Load distribution: Foundations spread the weight of the building over a

large area of lsoil or rock, preventing excessive pressure on any one point.

Resistance to external forces: Foundations are designed to withstand

forces like wind, seismic activity, and changes in soil moisture.

Moisture and corrosion protection: Foundations prevent ground moisture

from penetrating the structure.

Level surface: Foundations provide a level surface for construction.

Anchoring: Foundations anchor the structure into the ground, increasing

stability and preventing overloading.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Foundation

 Topographic Location. ...

 Weather Conditions. ...
 Previous Use. ...
 Groundwater Table. ...
 Soil Bearing Capacity. ...
 Design Loadings and Seismic Characteristics. ...
 Economic Design. ...
 Foundation is the lowest part of the building or the civil structure
that is in direct contact with the soil which transfers loads from the
structure to the soil safely.

TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS:

Based on the depth, foundation is broadly classified into two types.

If the depth of the foundation is less than or equal to its breadth, then it
is called as shallow foundation. If the depth of the foundation is greater
than its breadth, then it is known as deep foundation. The following are
the different types of foundation:

SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS:

The depth of the shallow foundation is less and is economical to

build lightweight structures. It depends on the ratio of the depth and
width of the foundation of the structure. They are constructed where soil
layer at shallow depth (up to 2m) is able to support the structural loads.
The depth of shallow foundations is generally less than its width. Various
types of shallow foundation are described below:

❖ Isolated Footing:

Isolated footing is also known as spread footing or individual

footing. It is the type of footing which supports either one wall or one
column spreads the superimposed load of wall or column over a large
area. In this footing, the bearing capacity of soil is high. If the shape of
footing is in rectangular or square, then it is called as pad footing.
Sometimes, it is stepped or hunched to spread the load over a large
area and it is termed as stepped footing. If the footing is sloped, then it is
called as sloped footing.

❖ Combined footings:

If two to three columns connected collectively with one single

footing is called combined footing. It is used when the two columns are
so close to each other that their individual footings would overlap. Also,
this footing is necessary when a column is very close to the boundary of
the property and hence there is no scope to project footing much beyond
the column face. A combined footing may be rectangular or trapezoidal
in plan.
❖ Strip footing:

A strip footing is provided for a load-bearing wall. The width of the

footing is generally two three times the thickness of the wall. A strip
footing is also provided for a row of columns which are so closely spaced
that their spread footings overlap or nearly touch each other. The
broader base of the footing area provides more stability to the structure.
It can also be used for retaining wall foundation. It is more economical to
provide a strip footing than to provide a number of spread footings in one
line. A strip footing is also known as continuous footing.

❖ Cantilever Footing:

This type of footing consists of two isolated footings connected

with a structural strap or a lever. The strap connects the two footings
such that they behave as one unit. The strap is designed as a rigid
beam. The individual footings are so designed that their combined line of
action passes through the resultant of the total load. A strap footing is
more economical than a combined footing when the allowable soil
pressure is relatively high and the distance between the columns is
large. This type of footing is also known as strap footing.

❖ Mat Foundation:
 A mat or raft foundation is a large slab supporting a number of
columns and walls under the entire structure or a large part of the
structure. A mat is required when the allowable soil pressure is low or
where the columns and walls are so close that individual footings would
overlap or nearly touch each other. Mat foundations are useful in
reducing the differential settlements on non-homogeneous soils or where
there is a large variation in the loads on individual columns. It is also
known as raft or Grid foundation.

DEEP FOUNDATIONS:

Deep foundation is used for where hard strata are not available
within the limit of shallow foundation. This type of foundations is used
when top soil is not capable of taking the load of the structure even at 3
to 4m depth. Deep foundation helps to prevent the structure from the
uplift. Various types of deep foundation are described below:
❖ Pile Foundation:

In this type of foundation, the load is transmitted by a vertical

member. This vertical member is known as a pile. These piles are
generally made of steel, concrete and wooden. Nowadays precast
members are also used. Pile foundation is further classified as follows:

According to Function:

Bearing pile:

These piles are used if the hard strata are available at

reasonable depth. The load is transmitted by columns to the
hard layer of soil.

Friction pile:

These piles are used where the soil is soft at a considerable depth.
Friction piles transfer the load to the soil by the friction between soil and
the pile. The friction developed is to be properly assessed before
deciding the length of the pile. The surface of such piles is made rough
to increase the skin friction so that required length of pile is reduced.
According to Material:

Concrete pile:

The piles which are made with the help of concrete are known as
concrete piles. The diameter of these pile varies from 30 to 50 cm.
Minimum length of these pile is not taken less than 20 meters and
maximum it can be taken till 30 meters. These piles may be either
precast or cast-in-situ. Precast piles are manufactured in the factory
which is further transported to the construction site where ever it is
required. These piles can bare load up to 800 KN. Cast-in-situ piles are
made or manufactured on site where it is to be installed. It saves money
as the transportation cost is reduced. These files bare load up to 750
KN.

Timber piles:

As the name suggests these piles are made up of wooden so they

are known as wooden or Timber piles. For these piles, seasonal timber
wood is used. The diameter of the timber pile varies in between 20 to 50
cm. The maintenance cost of these piles is more because as it is wood if
it comes in contact with water then it can be damaged by fungus or white
ants. So, care has to be taken.

Steel piles:

These Piles are generally in shape of 'I' or hollow section. It can be

easily driven in the soil because it has a very small cross-sectional area.
These piles can be used as a bearing pile but cannot be used as friction
piles because if we use them as a friction pile it can sink in the soil due
to structural load.
Composite pile:

When the piles are made from more than one material they are
known as composite pile. These piles are made from concrete and
wood. These piles are used in those areas where the water table is up.
These piles are used in such conditions just because concrete and wood
both are good water absorbers.

❖ Pier Foundation:

A pier foundation is a vertical column of relatively larger cross-

section than a pile. If the diameter is greater than 0.6 m or equal to 0.6
meters then it is termed as a pier. The shape of the pier foundation is
cylindrical, and it is supported with the help of piles. The load coming
from the superstructure is carried to the hard strata through these
vertical piles. They are generally cast on site. It is used for a heavy multi-
storey structure where the load of the structure is heavy, and it is
generally used in bridges and fly-overs to resist the heavy traffic loads.
This type of foundation is chosen when the depth of the hard strata is at
5 meters or less than 5 meters. Also, this type of footing is done when
not much heavy load is coming from the superstructure. The size of
excavation depends upon the level at which hard strata exists. The size
and shape of this concrete pier depend upon the level of hard strata is
present.
❖ Well foundations:

It is also called as drilled shaft or caisson foundation. It is generally

used for bearing the very heavy loads of the structure. It is a cast-in-situ
foundation and also available as pre-cast material. Construction of this
foundation is done with the help of auger and used where the pile
foundation is not enough to bear the heavy load of the structure. The
depth of the drilled shaft foundation is more than the pile foundation. And
it is not preferable to use in water-bearing granular soils, loose and soft
clay soils. This foundation generally used in underwater project like river,
lake and sea. It is used as pier of bridge, building and construction of the
dam. It is constructed with the help of water shoring. This foundation
works as a compression member. Drilled Caissons are classified into
three categories as:

Concrete caissons with enlarged bottom:

In this at top which is at ground level of cap is provided. Above that

cap brickwork is carried out. Below this cap a pier is constructed which is
further followed by the enlarged bottom which is also known as bell. The
angle of this bell at bottom is 60 degree.

Caissons of steel pipe with concrete filled:

 In this also at the top which is at ground level, a cap is provided.
Below this cap, at both extreme ends, a steel shell is created. This steel
shell is the outer portion. Inside this steel shell concrete is filled.

Caissons of steel pipe with concrete and steel core:

The assembly of this type is also the same as the caissons of steel
pipe with concrete-filled. But the only change is that in the central portion
of the steel core or a rod is fixed which gives more stability to the
structure as the weight taking capacity increased due to the steel core.

FACTORS FOR SELECTION OF SUITABLE FOUNDATION TYPE FOR

A BUILDING

The type of foundation is selected based on the following factors:

❖ Building height

❖ Load condition

❖ Soil type

❖ Type of building (residential, administrative, warehouse)