WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION?

The foundation is the lower part of a structure that transfers the load to the supporting soil. The main purpose of
the foundation is to distribute the total weight of the superstructure over a large area of soil.
PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION

 Distribute the load of the structure over a larger area so that the intensity of the load does not exceed the
safe carrying capacity of the adjacent soil.
 Distribute the load below the ground in an even way and thus avoid an uneven settlement of the
foundation.
 Provide a level and hard surface for the superstructure to be built on it.
 Increase the stability of the structure against landslides, flights or any other force such as wind, rain, etc.
 Avoid lateral movement of the support material to ensure that the safety of the structure is not at risk.

1. SUPERFICIAL FOUNDATION
It is so called when the depth of the foundation is equal to or less than its width. In this type the foundation
part is instantly located below the lowest part of a structure. The total load of the structure is distributed
over a horizontal area at a shallow depth below ground level.
CLASSIFICATION
A. EXTENDED SHOES: In this type of foundation an extension is provided under the base of the wall or
column that is known as footings, and the bases with this type of footings are known as extended shoes.
A spread is also provided to distribute the load of the structure to the ground over a wider area so that
the safe carrying capacity of the soil is not exceeded.
 TYPES OF EXTENDED SHOES:
I. WALL SHOE: In this type, brick yarns are provided below the structure giving 50mm of
compensation outward to each side of the wall.
II. RCC SHOE: RCC shoes are used when the masonry wall is subjected to a very heavy load
and the load capacity of the floor is very low. In this type, a 3cm thick layer of concrete is
tested before the RC shoe is built over it. Stress bars are provided on RC shoes. The base of
the RCC tail can be square, rectangular or circular.

B. COMBINED SHOE: It consists of a common shoe provided to two columns that can be rectangular or
trapezoidal.
 TYPES OF COMBINED SHOES:
I. STRIP SHOES: This type of shoe distributes the weight of a load-bearing wall along the
ground area. The shoe is usually twice the width of the load-bearing wall, sometimes even
wider.
II. STRAP SHOE: In the strap shoes, the outer and inner column are connected by a belt beam,
which does not transfer any load to the adjacent floor.

C. GRILL FOUNDATION: This type of foundation is suitable when the load transferred by a wall or column is
exceptionally heavy and the load capacity of the soil is very low. Deep excavations are also excluded from
this base.
Grill foundations have two types:
 I. Steel grid foundation.
II. Wooden grid foundation.
D. ECCENTRICALLY LOADED SHOE: In this type of foundation, the distribution of pressure on the ground
remains uniform. However, the foundation may be subject to an eccentric load in the following situations:
 When a column or wall is located at the boundary of the property, its foundation is restricted and
cannot extend beyond the property boundary, which generates eccentric loads on the
foundation.
 Cantilevered balconies, corbels,etc. Adhered to the walls or columns that induce a bending
moment and therefore give rise to an eccentric load on the foundation.
Eccentric loads cause an uneven distribution of pressure on the underlying soil of the foundation. If
the eccentricity is small, it should be ensured that the maximum pressure intensity does not exceed
the safe carrying capacity of the soil. And if the eccentricity is large, the wall or column can be
overturned. If this is the case, there are two methods that will ensure the stability of the wall or
column without infringing the area beyond the boundary of the property.
o Shoe displacement
o Strap shoe check

2. DEEP FOUNDATION

Itis a type of foundation in which the foundation is placed at a deeper depth below ground level. The depth of
the base is much greater than its width.
CLASSIFICATION

A. PILE FOUNDATION: Pile foundation is a type of foundation in which the thin member of wood, concrete,
or steel is inserted into the ground to transfer the load of a structure. The load is transferred to a stronger
layer by friction or bearing. This type of foundation is usually used in situations of low soil bearing
capacity or there is a weak soil layer on the surface.

 CLASSIFICATION OF THE BATTERY BASE:

a) BEARING PILES: The support piles are conducted through the soft-coated floor and their
lower part rests on the structure of the hard bed. The support piles of the ends act as
columns or vertical pillars. They create ameans to transfer the structural load through piles
to the hard lower stratum. The soft soil also provides lateral support to the piles increasing
the load capacity of the soil.
b) FRICTION PILES: When the overlapping soil is for great depths and it is not possible to
support the lower end of the pile on the hard bed, the load is carried out developing
friction between the surrounding soil and the surface of the piles. The load capacity of the
friction piles can be increased by increasing the diameter, grouping the piles, driving the
pile for greater depth and making the surface of the pile rough.
c) SHEET PILES: These types of pile foundations are used to act as retaining walls.
Sheet piles are used:
 To build retaining walls on furniture or other marine works.
 To retain the sides of the foundation trenches.
 To protect the erosion of river banks.
  To confine the soil to increase its carrying capacity.
 To isolate the foundation from the surrounding soil.
 To protect the foundations from erosion by sea or river.

d) CNCLATION PILES: These types of piles provide anchorage against horizontal pulls and thrusts.
e) MASS PILES: These piles are driven inclined to resist horizontal and inclined forces properly.
f) FENDER PILES: These types of piles are made of wood and protect the concrete platform or
riverside structures from the impact caused by ships.
g) COMPACTION PILES: These piles are driven through granular soil to increase the carrying capacity
of the weak soil.

 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MATERIALS:

a) PILES OF WOOD
b) CONCRETE PILES
c) STEEL PILES
d) COMPOSITE PILES
e) LOTS OF SAND

B. ATAUDES: A cofferdam is a temporary structure that excludes water from a given site to allow
construction on a dry surface.

CLASSIFICATION OF ATAUDES ACCORDING TO THE MATERIAL

a) LAND ATAUD
b) ROCK FILL ATAUD
c) SIMPLE WALL ATAGUIA
d) DOUBLE WALL ATAGUIA
e) CRIB COFFERDAM
f) ATAUD CELLULAR

C. CAISSON FOUNDATION: The caisson is a waterproof structure made of wood, steel or reinforced
concrete that excavates for the base of bridges, pillars, etc. This type of foundation is mainly used in the
construction of bridge pillars and other structures that require underwater foundation.

TYPES
a) ABRA CAISSON
b) BOX CAISSON
c) PNEUMATIC DRAWER