FOUNDATION

Every building consists of two parts:- Superstructure and Substructure or

foundation. The part of the building which is above the ground level is called
superstructure. The lower portion of the building located below the ground level is
termed as substructure. The foundation transmits the load of the superstructure to
the soil.
A f​ oundation is that part of structure which is in direct contact with the ground to
which the loads are transmitted. The soil which is located immediately below the
base of the foundation is called s​ ubsoil or foundation soil​. The lowermost portion
foundation which is in direct contact with the subsoil is called ​footing.
Functions of foundation
1. To distribute the loads of the superstructure to a large area so that the
intensity of the load (total load / total area) does not exceed the Safe Bearing
Capacity of soil.
2. Foundations distribute the non uniform load of superstructure evenly to
subsoil.
3. Foundations provide levelled and hard surface over which the superstructure
is built.
4. It provides lateral stability ie, stability against sliding & overturning due to
horizontal forces.
5. Foundations provide structural safety against scouring due to burrowing
animals & flood water.
TYPES OF FOUNDATION
Foundations may be broadly classified into two.
1. Shallow foundations
2. Deep foundations
A foundation is said to be s​ hallow ​when the depth of the foundation is equal to or
less than its width. If depth of foundation is greater than its width, it is termed as
deep foundation.

SHALLOW FOUNDATION
If foundation can be constructed at reasonable shallow depth, it is termed as ​shallow
foundation.​ Following are the various types of shallow foundations.

A. SPREAD FOOTING
Spread footings are those which spread the superimposed loads of wall or column
over a larger area. The base is generally made of concrete. They supports either a
wall or column, accordingly they are classified into Strip footings and Isolated
footings.
Strip footings / Wall footings
Spread footings provided for load bearing walls are called strip footings. They are
used when the wall carries lighter loads or when the safe bearing capacity of soil is
very high. Simple strip footing consists of a rectangular slab, made of concrete,
beneath the wall as shown. For small loads, the footings may be made of masonry,
but for larger loads RCC footing may be necessary.

Stepped footings a
​ re a type of wall footing in which the foundation is provided in
steps as shown. They are used when the wall carries heavier loads or when the Safe
bearing capacity of soil is not very high.

Isolated footings
Spread footings provided for a single column is termed as isolated footing. They
may be square, rectangular or trapezoidal. The function of isolated footing is to
distribute the load of the column over a larger area so that the intensity of the load
is reduced. For small loads, the footing can be of plain cement concrete and for
heavily loaded columns, RCC footings are used.
The thickness of the slab required depends on the load and projection of the footing
slab beyond the column face.
The isolated footing may be simple, stepped or sloped. In s​ loped footing concrete
base does not have uniform thickness, with greater thickness at its junction with
column & smaller thickness at its ends as shown.
B. COMBINED FOOTING
Combined footings are spread footings which supports two or more columns.
Combined footings can be either rectangular or trapezoidal. They are designed in
such a way that the C.G of the column loads should coincide with the centroid of
the footing area. Combined footings are provided when,
1. The columns are very near to each other so that their independent footings
overlap.
2. When the bearing capacity of the soil is less, requiring more area under
individual footing.
3. When the end column is near a property line.
Rectangular footings are used when the columns carry equal loads while t​ rapezoidal
columns​ are used when the columns carry unequal loads.
C. STRAP FOOTING
If the independent footings of two columns are connected by a beam, it is called a
strap footing. A strap footing may be used when the distance between the columns
is too great, so that the combined footing may be quite narrow, with high bending
moments. The strap beam does not remain in contact with soil & thus does not
transfer any pressure to the soil. The beam transfer the column loads on to the soil
with equal and uniform soil pressure under both footings.

D. MAT or RAFT FOUNDATION

Mat foundation is a combined footing that covers the entire area beneath a
structure & supports all the walls & columns. When the allowable soil pressure is
low or building loads are heavy, use of spread footings cover more than one half
the area & hence it is more economical to use mat foundation. The mat foundation
is also used to reduce the settlement by making weight of the structure & raft
approximately equal to weight of soil excavated.
DEEP FOUNDATIONS
If the foundation is laid to comparatively larger depth, it is called ​deep foundation.
Deep foundations are of following types.
1. Pile foundation
2. Well foundation
3. Pier foundation
PILE FOUNDATION
A pile is a vertical load transferring element used as foundation. Pile foundations
are adopted when
1. If thick stratum is available at a greater depth
2. The load of the superstructure is heavy & its distribution is uneven
3. Top soil has poor bearing capacity
4. There is a large fluctuation in ground water level.
Pile foundations are classified as follows
Classification based on function
1. End bearing piles​: They are used to transfer load through water or soft soil to a
suitable hard stratum
2. Friction Piles​: They transfer loads by means of skin friction along the length of
the pile.
 3. Compaction Piles:​They are used to compact the loose soil thereby increasing
the bearing capacity of the soil.
4. Tension Piles
5. Anchor Piles
6. Fender Piles
7. Sheet Piles
Classification based on materials
A. Concrete Piles
i. Pre cast concrete piles
ii. Cast in situ concrete piles
1. Cased piles
2. Uncased piles
2. Timber Piles
3. Steel Piles
4. Composite Piles
WELL FOUNDATION / CAISSONS
Caissons are box like structure –either circular or rectangular, which are sunk from
the surface of land or water to desired depth. They are used for foundation works
of bridge piers, abutments etc.
The components of a well foundation are:
1. Cutting edge​: The cutting edge is provided to facilitate sinking.
2. Well curb​ : The tapered portion of the well above the cutting edge
3. Steining​ : The walls of the well are known as steining. Steining is made of
brick masonry, stone masonry, plain or reinforced concrete. As the steining
later becomes an integral part of the structure, it should be designed for the
imposed loads.
4. Bottom Plug:​ After the well has been sunk to the final position, the bottom plug
is formed by concreting. The bottom plug serves as the base of the well. The
well is filled with sand partly or completely.
5. Top Plug :​ At the top of the well, a top plug is formed by concreting.
6. Well Cap:​ A RCC well cap is provided at the top to transmit the load of the
superstructure to the wall.