Special Case Foundations

Special foundations are used where conventional footings and foundations design fails to
provide the tools and solutions that are necessary for building stability.

Types of Special Foundations

1. Raft or Mat Foundations

2. Preserved Wood Foundations

3. Post-Tensioned Foundations
A special reinforcement technique for concrete grade
beams and floor slabs is sometimes used to resist the forces of the soil and to prevent
differential movement of the structure

4. Cables or Tendons
Post-tensioned slabs and grade beams use steel cables or tendons that are laid in place
before the concrete is poured. The cables are most often surrounded by a
Cables or Tendons plastic sheathing. After the concrete is poured, jacks are used to
pull the cables tight, strengthening the assembly

Applications of special case foundations

a. Buildings where exterior walls were located at or right on the property lines.
b. Buildings erected on the side of a hill with a history of landslides or a site showing the
typical characteristics indicating the possibilities of a surface rupture.
c. The presence of poor or unstable soil conditions which required application of one of
the many soil modification methods available.
d. Foundations that needed to be erected within existing construction and without the
removal of the existing appurtenances and equipment, or without the interruption of
existing manufacturing production work and assembly lines.
e. When the demands that are arising from uncommon environmental conditions such as
for offshore structures, buried structures, vibration or earthquake prone structures
need to be met.