Category: Foundations

Following guidelines may be taken while designing shallow foundation other than rafts and mats.

The following general steps have to be adopted in the design of foundations:

Selection Procedure The selection of a foundation suitable for the type of structure to be constructed or for a given size depends on several factors. Following are the general steps to be followed in choosing the type of foundation.

Settlement of foundations may be caused due to the following reasons:

For some structures or for soil conditions the routine method of providing foundations may not be suitable. Such foundations under special conditions are dealt below. 1. Grillage Foundation Steel columns may be founded on concrete footings or footings of steel. Many a times the latter approach is preferred. This primarily consists of steel beams arranged… Continue reading Foundation under Special Conditions

The design and construction of deep foundations for transferring the weight of the super- structure through soft or weak soils, to deep load bearing strata is a challenging job for a civil engineer. Piles, piers and caissons are the most common types of deep foundations. For any system the mechanism of deriving support from the… Continue reading Types and Suitability of Deep Foundations

Shallow foundations are all suitable for building and are sub-divided into a number of types according to their size, shape and general configuration. They are discussed below. 1. Spread Footings These footings are the most common of all types of footings with minimum cost and complexity of construction (Fig. 15.1(a)). It necessarily provides the function… Continue reading Types and Suitability of Shallow Foundations

Structural foundations may be grouped under two broad categories – shallow foundations and deep foundations. This classification indicates the depth of foundation installation. A shallow foundation is one which is placed on a firm soil near the ground, and beneath the lowest part of the super-structure. A deep foundation is one which is placed on… Continue reading SHALLOW AND DEEP FOUNDATIONS

Thus the foundation should satisfy the following requirements. 1. Depth of Foundation 2. Shear Failure of Foundation Foundation should be safe against breaking into the ground (i.e., against shear failure). In order to satisfy this requirement an adequate factor of safety on the bearing capacity of the soil is provided. 3. Settlement of Foundation Foundation… Continue reading Requirements of Good Foundation

Foundations sustain large wind forces and earthquake forces and also provide safety against scouring or undermining by flood water or burrowing animals. Distress or failure due to seasonal variations causing volume changes in soils are minimised by providing special type of foundations.