LECTURE#15

Sub structure: Sub-structure or Foundation is the lower portion of the building, usually
located below the ground level, which transmits the loads of the super-structure to the
supporting soil. A foundation is therefore that part of the structure which is in direct contact
with the ground to which the loads are transmitted.
Requirements Of Foundation:
1. The foundation of sub-structure distributes the load of the building evenly on the soil
in such a way that at not below the foundation the soil pressure exceeds the maximum
allowable bearing capacity of soil.
2. It helps in strengthening the building against the lateral forces caused due to tornado,
earthquake, etc.
3. It provides strong surface for the construction of proposed structure.
4. To provide safety to the structure from flow of water and seepage

Purposes of foundation:
1. To distribute loads 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.
2. To load the bearing surface at a uniform rate so as to prevent unequal settlement.
3. To prevent the lateral movement of the supporting material.
4. To secure the level and firm bed for building operations.
5. To increase the stability of the structure as a whole.
Factors affecting selection of foundations.
1. Types and intensity of loads acting on various parts of the structure which may be dead
load, live load, wind load, snow load, etc.
2. Nature and bearing capacity of the soil on which the structure directly rests.
Precast concrete:
Precast refers to the process of construction in which a concrete element is cast somewhere
other than where it is to be used. The other place may be somewhere else on the building site
or away from the site, probably in a casting yard or factory. The precast element may be pre-
stressed, may be of ordinary reinforced concrete, or may even  be without reinforcement

Advantages of Precast Concrete

Following are the advantages of precast concrete:

1. The concrete of superior quality is produced as it is possible to have better technical
control on the production of concrete in factory.
2. It is not necessary to provide joints in the precast construction.
3. The labour required in the manufacturing process of the precast units can easily be
trained.
4. The moulds employed for preparing the precast units are of steel with exact
dimension in all directions. These moulds are more durable and they can be used
several times.
5. The precast articles may be given the desired shape and finish with accuracy.
6. The precast structures can be dismantled, when required and they can then be suitably
used elsewhere.
7. The transport and storage of various components of concrete for cast in situ work are
eliminated when precast members are adopted.
8. When precast structures are to be installed, it is evident that the amount of scaffolding
and formwork is considerably reduced.
9. The construction is quick.

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10. Its resistance to fire. .

11.  No time is waste for curing of the floor.
12. It is economical.

Disadvantages of Precast Concrete

Following are the disadvantages of precast concrete:

1. If not properly handled, the precast units may be damaged during transport.
2. It becomes difficult to produce satisfactory connections between the precast members.
3. It is necessary to arrange for special equipment for lifting and moving of the precast
units.
4. It required fairly uniform spacing of beams throughout the structure which becomes
practically difficult.
5. In order that the precast members may be able to resist handling, stresses, great care
has to be taken in their construction and design.
6. There is wastage due to breakages in transportation of the members from factory to
the site of erection.
7. Good supervision and skilled labour is required for manufacturing the units.
8. The forms used for casting the units are normally costly and as such the construction
is economical only when the units are manufactured on a large scale.

Insitu construction:
“A process where concrete is poured into forms or moulds in the actual position in which the
concrete will permanently remain after the forms have been removed”
 Before concrete is poured, formwork must be erected. Since the appearance of cast-in-
place concrete is directly dependent upon the quality of formwork, it means that
formwork must be coated with release agents to avoid the concrete sticking to
formwork.
 In in-situ concrete construction the production of concrete is carried out on site and it
means large volumes of plant and equipment are to be hired or purchased and
operated. The cost of plant and machinery contributes greatly to the total cost of the
construction.
 The fact that concrete production is done on site makes in-situ concrete construction
relatively slow as compared to precast or steel construction.
 Structures built of in-situ concrete are said to offer a monolithic architectural
character. The monolithic nature means there is an even distribution of loads in all
directions. The structures are also rigid and therefore need no extra structural
resistance. However, because Insitu structures are built without movement joints there
is a likelihood of built-up stresses which may cause failure of concrete. Movement
joints are vital as they open and close up to relieve stresses in the concrete.
 Longer-span portal frames can be cast in place using in-situ concrete.
 The primary benefit of cast-in-place concrete is its high level of strength.
 Cast-in-place concrete is appropriate for basement walls and home foundations. It is
also relatively resistant to structural damage in the event of an earthquake, flood or
other natural disaster.
 Builders can make cast-in-place concrete even stronger by using steel reinforcement
bars, or rebar, which is inserted in the form before the concrete is poured in.

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Advantages to in situ concrete:

1) Adapts to any building shape.
2) It can be assumed to be more or less monolithic, since joints only occur as a result of
different pouring to the same structure.
3) It is easily used for two way structural systems.
4) It is adaptable to post tensioning.
5) No cranes are needed.
6) Cast-in-place concrete is highly versatile, meaning builders can use it for a variety of types
of homes and buildings.
7) It is not necessary to pay for crane on site

Disadvantages of in situ concrete:

1) Erection of formwork is time consuming
2) Concrete must cure before it is loaded
3) Quality control of finish surfaces is not assured
4) Climate can create problems for curing, and for construction itself
5) Workmanship is variable

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