Types of Foundations and their Selection

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER TWO

TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS AND THEIR SELECTIONS

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The lowest artificially built part of a structure which transmits the load of the structure to the ground is called
foundation.

The foundation of a structure is always constructed below ground level so as to increase the lateral stability of
the structure. It includes the portion of the structure below ground level and other artificial arrangements in
the form of concrete block, grillage, raft, piles etc. at its base so as to provide a firm and level surface for
transmitting the load of the structure on a large area of the soil lying underneath.

2.2 PURPOSES OF FOUNDATIONS

Foundations are used for the following purposes.

i. To distribute the load of the structure over a large bearing area so as to bring intensity of loading
within the safe bearing capacity of the soil lying underneath.
ii. To load the bearing surface at a uniform rate so as to prevent unequal settlement.
iii. To prevent the lateral movement of the supporting material.
iv. To secure a level and firm bed for building operations.
v. To increase the stability of the structure as a whole.

2.3 TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS.

Foundations can be broadly classified into the following two categories

 Shallow foundations
 Deep foundations

2.3.1 Shallow Foundations

The foundations provided immediately beneath the lowest part of the structure, near to the ground level are
known as shallow foundations. The purpose of this type of foundations is to distribute the structural loads
over a considerable base area at the foundation bed. Since spread foundations (shallow foundations) are
constructed in open excavations, therefore, they are termed as open foundations

Shallow foundations are further classified into the following types: -

a. Spread or Isolated footings
b. Combined footing
c. Cantilever footing
d. Continuous or wall footing
e. Raft foundation

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016

Types of Foundations and their Selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spread or Isolated Footings:- They are used to support individual column. Isolated footings are
stepped type, simple type or slope type, having projections in the base concrete. To support heavy loads,
reinforcement is also provided at the base. The reinforcement provided is in the form of steel bars and is
placed in both directions.

Fig. 3. 1 Spread or isolated footings

Combined Footing:- A combined footing supports two or sometimes three column in a row. Combined
footing is used when property lines, equipment locations, column spacing or other considerations limit the
footing clearance at the column locations. The combined footing can be rectangular in shape if both the
columns carry equal loads, or can be trapezoidal if there is a space limitation and they carry unequal loads.
Generally they are constructed of reinforced concrete.

Cantilever or Strap Footing: - Cantilever footing consists of two individual footings connected by a
beam called a strap. It is also sometimes called as strap footing. Cantilever footing may be used where the
distance between the columns is so great that a trapezoidal combined footing becomes quite narrow, with
resulting high bending moments. The strap beam does not remain in contact with soil so a strap doesn’t
transfer any pressure to the soil.

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016

Types of Foundations and their Selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fig. 3. 2 Combined footing

Continuous or Wall Footing:- In this type of footing a single continuous reinforced concrete slab is
provided as foundation of wall and three or more columns in a row. This type of footing is suitable at
locations liable to earthquake activities. This also prevents differential settlement in the structure.

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016

Types of Foundations and their Selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Columns
A
C

Wall b b

A C

Plan Plan

Wall
Column
Footing Footing

D D

Section A.A Section C-C

Wall on footing Columns on footing

Fig. 3. 4 Continuous or wall footing

Raft Foundation:- A raft or mat is a combined footing that covers the entire area beneath a structure and
supports all the columns. When the allowable soil pressure is low or the structure loads are heavy, the use of
spread footings would cover more than one-half of the area, and it may prove more economical to use raft
foundation. It is also used where the soil mass contains compressible layers so that the differential settlement
would be difficult to control the raft tends to bridge over the erratic deposits and eliminates the differential
settlement.

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016

Types of Foundations and their Selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flat plate mat foundation Two-way beam and slab (Ribbed mat)

Fig. 3. 5 Raft footing

2.3.2 Deep Foundations.

When the upper ground stratum at a site is weak and unable to carry the load even by a raft foundation, then
eventually shallow foundation has to be ruled out, and a deep foundation, taken to an available firm stratum, is
adopted. Deep foundation may be in the form of Piles or Well (i.e., Caissons).

A pile is relatively a small diameter shaft, which is used to transmit the loads to deeper soil layers capable of
supporting the loads. A well on the other hand is a large diameter circular body, usually, sunk into the ground,
by removing the ground soil and it is usually adopted for structures across rivers streams, where heavy
scouring is involved, such as for supporting the piers of a road or a railway bridge, or some monumental
building.

2.4 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FOUNDATION DESIGN

2.4.1 General

The usual approach to a normal foundation-engineering problem is

1. To prepare a plan of the base of the structure showing the various columns, load-bearing walls with
estimated loads, including dead load, live load, moments and torques coming into the foundation
units.
2. To study the tentative allowable bearing pressures allocated for the various strata below the ground
level, as given by the soil investigation report.
3. To determine the required foundation depth. This may be the minimum depth based on soil strength
or structural requirement considerations.
4. To compute the dimensions of the foundation based on the given loading and allowable bearing
pressure.
5. To estimate the total and differential settlements of the structure. If these are excessive the bearing
pressure will have to be reduced or the foundation taken to a deeper and less compressible stratum
or the structure will have to be founded on piles or other special measures taken

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016

Types of Foundations and their Selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.4.2 Loads on Foundation

An accurate estimation of all loads acting on the foundation should be made before it can be properly
designed. A foundation may be subjected to two or more of the following loads.

a) Dead load: -

 Weight of structure
 All material permanently attached to structure
 Static earth pressure acting permanently against the structure below ground surface.
 Water pressures acting laterally against basement walls and vertically against slab.

b) Live load: - temporary loads expected to superimpose on the structure during its useful life.
c) Wind load: - lateral load coming from the action of wind. Local building codes provide magnitude
of design wind pressure.
d) Earth-quake load: - lateral load coming from earthquake motion. The total lateral force (base
shear) at the base of a structure is evaluated in accordance with local building code.
e) Dynamic load: - load coming from a vibrating object (machinery). In such case, separate foundation
should be provided. The impact effect of such loads should be considered in design.

2.4.3 Selection of Foundation Type

In selecting the foundation type the following points must be considered

a. Function of the structure
b. Loads it must carry
c. Subsurface conditions
d. Cost of foundation in comparison with the cost of the superstructure.

Having these points in mind one should apply the following steps in order to arrive at a decision.
i. Obtain at least approximate information concerning the nature of the superstructure and the loads
to be transmitted to the foundation
ii. Determine the subsurface condition in a general way.
iii. Consider each of the usual types of foundations in order to judge whether or not
a. They could be constructed under existing conditions.
b. They are capable of carrying the required load.
c. They experience serious differential settlements.

The types that are found to be unsuitable should then be eliminated.

iv. Undertake a detailed study of the most promising types. Such a study may require additional
information on loads and subsurface conditions.

Determine the approximate size of footing or the approximate length and number of piles required

v. Prepare an estimate for the cost of each promising type of foundation.

vi. Select the type that represents the most acceptable compromise between performance and cost.

Foundation Engineering I-CENG 3141: Lecture Notes ASTU 2016