ARCHITECTURE BUIDLING CONSTRUCTION

ASSIGNMENT 2: DEEP FOUNDATIONS

Question 1: Define foundation and state its objectives. What are the different types of
foundation?

• The low artificially built part of a structure which transmits the load of the structure to
the ground is called foundation.
• Objectives
o To distribute the load of the structure on large area.
o To distribute the load on underlying soil evenly.
o To provide a levelled and hard surface for the superstructure to be built over
it.
o To increase the stability as a whole against sliding, overturning or other
distribution forces like wind, rain etc.
o To prevent lateral movement of the supporting materials so that safety of the
structure is not endangered.
• Types of Foundation
o Shallow Foundation
▪ Individual footing or isolated footing
▪ Combined footing
▪ Strip foundation
▪ Raft or mat foundation
o Deep Foundation
▪ Pile foundation
▪ Drilled Shafts or caisson

• Individual Footing
o Individual footing or an isolated footing is the most common type of
foundation used for building construction.
o This foundation is constructed for a single column and also called a pad
foundation.
o The shape of individual footing is square or rectangle and is used when
loads from the structure is carried by the columns. Size is calculated
based on the load on the column and the safe bearing capacity of soil.
o Rectangular isolated footing is selected when the foundation experiences
moments due to the eccentricity of loads or due to horizontal forces.

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 • Combined Footing
o Combined footing is constructed when two or more columns are close
enough and their isolated footings overlap each other.
o It is a combination of isolated footings, but their structural design differs.
o The shape of this footing is a rectangle and is used when loads from the
structure is carried by the columns.

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067

 • Raft Foundations
o Raft or mat foundations are the types of foundation which are spread
across the entire area of the building to support heavy structural loads
from columns and walls.
o The use of mat foundation is for columns and walls foundations where the
loads from the structure on columns and walls are very high.
• This is used to prevent differential settlement of individual footings, thus
designed as a single mat (or combined footing) of all the load-bearing
elements of the structure.

• Pile Foundation
o Pile foundation is a type of deep foundation which is used to transfer
heavy loads from the structure to a hard rock strata much deep below the
ground level.
o Pile foundations are used to transfer heavy loads of structures through
columns to hard soil strata which is much below ground level where
shallow foundation such as spread footings and mat footings cannot
o This is also used to prevent uplift of the structure due to lateral loads such
as earthquake and wind forces.

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067

Question 2: What are the classification of Piles based on Function and materials.

• Classification based on function:

o End bearing piles (Point bearing)
▪ These transmit most of their loads to the load bearing layer (which can
be dense sand or rock).
▪ Most of the pile capacity is inferred from the end bearing point.
o Friction Piles
▪ These transmit their load through the layers through which the piles
pass which is mostly through the surface friction (skin friction) with the
surrounding soils.
▪ Here the piles are driven to such a depth that the frictional resistance
which is developed at the side of the piles equals to the load coming
on the piles.
• Classification based on materials:

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067

 o Timber Piles
▪ Timber can be used for manufacture of temporary piles and also for
permanent ones in regions where timber is readily and economically
available.
▪ It’s most suitable for long cohesion piling and piling under
embankments.
o Steel Piles
▪ Steel can be used for both temporary and permanent works.
▪ They are suitable for handling and driving for piles with prolonged
lengths.
▪ Their relatively small cross sectional area along with the high strength
makes penetration easier in firm soil.
▪ If it’s driven in to a soil with low Ph value, there may occur a risk of
corrosion which can be eliminated by tar coating or cathodic
protection.
o Concrete Piles
▪ Concrete is used to manufacture of precast concrete piles, cast in
place and pre-stressed concrete piles.
▪ Pre-stressed concrete piles are becoming more approved than the
ordinary pre-cast as less reinforcement is required.

Question 3: What is a piled raft foundation

• The piled raft is a foundation constructed by combining both the piles and a raft
foundation.
• Firstly, the piles are constructed and then the raft is placed combining all the piles.
Interaction of the pile, soil, and raft is the key factor considered in designing the piled
raft foundation.
• The efficient use of the interaction leads to end up with the economical design.
• Generally, a pile foundation or raft foundations are constructed separately to transfer
the loads from the superstructure to the ground.
• However, in piled rafts, both the piles and raft act together as one unit to carry the
loads.
• The addition of piles to a raft increases the effective size of a foundation and can
help resist horizontal loads.
• This can improve the performance of the foundation in reducing the amount of
settlement and differential settlement, as well as improving the ultimate load capacity.
• Piled raft foundations are typically used for large structures, and in situations where
soil is not suitable to prevent excessive settlement.
• They are an increasingly popular choice for high-rise buildings.
• Typically, the piles provide most of the stiffness while the raft provides additional
capacity at the ultimate loading.

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067

Question 4: Explain the caisson type foundation.

• A caisson foundation also called as pier foundation is a watertight retaining structure

used as a bridge pier, in the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships.
• It is a prefabricated hollow box or cylinder sunk into the ground to some desired
depth and then filled with concrete thus forming a foundation.
• Caisson foundation is Most often used in the construction of bridge piers & other
structures that require foundation beneath rivers & other bodies of water.
• This is because caissons can be floated to the job site and sunk into place.
• It is used when soil of adequate bearing strength is found below surface layers of
weak materials such as fill or peat.
• It is a form of deep foundation which are constructed above ground level, then sunk
to the required level by excavating or dredging material from within the caisson.
• Types of Caisson Foundations
o Box Caissons
o Excavated Caissons
o Floating Caissons
o Open Caissons
o Pneumatic Caissons
o Sheeted Caissons
o
o

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067

Siddharth Sidhu AR-18-067