Different types of foundation and factors

effecting their selection

CE-431
Pile foundation
Pile foundation
SPSP foundation
Steel-pipe-sheet-pipe (SPSP) foundation has been widely
adopted in various parts of the world to support large
scale bridge structures due to its

• Strong rigidity
• Large vertical bearing capacity
• Trustworthy construction and
• Cost effectiveness
The watertight joints enables it to serve as temporary
cofferdam as well.
SPSP foundation in large scale bridges

Nhat Tan Bridge, Vietnam

Tokyo Gate Bridge, Japan (http://nhattanbridge.com)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Gate_Bridge)

Foundation of Nhat Tan Bridge, Vietnam

(http://nhattanbridge.com)
KMG project, Bangladesh
(The daily star, Bangladesh)
SPSP & SPSP foundation
Steel pipe sheet pile
(SPSP) is composed of
two components-
1. steel pipe and
2. couplings welded on
the sides of the steel
pipe.

The interlocking of the

couplings links steel
pipes to construct SPSP
foundation and the
interlocked couplings
form the joints of SPSP
foundation.
Photo: Katayama T. [2007]
This method has been jointly developed by JFE Steel
Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, and Obayashi Corporation
Formation of SPSP foundation
• SPSP of high bending
rigidity driven to firm
bearing layer to form an
enclosure of different
shapes (circular, oval,
rectangular, etc.)

• Joint pipes are filled with

high strength mortars and
the pile heads are
connected rigidly by means
of a footing allows the
assembly of SPSP to Photo: JFE Steel corporation

behave as an integral unit.

ADVANTAGES OF SPSP FOUNDATION
• This integral foundation system offers larger rigidity which
enable resistance to considerable lateral force during
earthquake and driving the piles to firm bearing layers
provides large vertical bearing capacity along with
reduction in the occupied area compared to ordinary pile
foundation.
• Foundation possible to be used both for temporary
cofferdam and for permanent foundations can reduce
construction period and reduce construction cost.
• Piles with small section areas realize less earth removal, low
vibration, and noise results in reduction of construction
period and environment friendly construction.
• Using interlocks of high shear strength can further reduce
the size of the foundation.
Rigid and flexible foundation
• For H/D ratio 0.5-3, the structural behavior is usually
governed by rigid body movement. ex. Caisson
foundation
• For H/D ratio higher than this, the structural behavior is
usually governed by flexural behavior. ex. Pile
foundation
• Inclined pile are often used to in cases where lateral
resistance is necessary due to seismic loading.
Caisson Foundation
Caisson is a French word which means ‘a large chest or ‘a
box’.
A caisson foundation which is also called as pier
foundation is a watertight retaining structure. 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.
Types of Caisson Foundation
There are three types of caisson
a. Open Caisson.
b. Box Caisson
c. Pneumatic Caisson.
Shapes of Caisson Foundation
Basic shapes- Circular, Rectangular, Square, Hexagonal,
Octagonal
Combination of basic shapes- Double Circular, Double
Rectangular, Double hexagonal, Double-D, Double
Octagonal
Uses of Caisson Foundation
1.Caissons are more suitable for the deep foundation under
water where the foundation should be extended up to or
below the river bed so as to obtain the proper stability.
2. Caissons as type of well foundation is constructed in rivers
and lake, bridges, break water dock structures for the point of
view of shore protection.
3.When depth of water in river, lake, or sea etc. are more,
then caisson structure is used.
4. It is also used for pump house which are subjected to huge
vertical as well as horizontal forces.
5. It is also occasionally used for large and multi- storied
building and other structures.
Advantages
1.The caisson can be extended up to large depths.
2. Caissons are more suitable for the deep foundation under
water where the foundation should be extended up to or
below the river bed so as to obtain the proper stability.
3. Quality control of pneumatic caisson is good because work
is done in dry conditions. Concrete gain more strength due to
dry conditions.
4. In-situ soil tests are possible to determine the bearing
capacity of pneumatic caisson.
5. There is direct and easy passage to reach the bottom of
caisson, hence any obstruction can easily be removed.
Disadvantages
1. In box caisson the placing of concrete is done for concrete
seal under water, it may not be satisfactory.
2. If any obstruction of boulders or logs are encountered,
then progress of work becomes slow.
3. The help of divers may be required for excavation at the
cutting edges.
4. Construction of pneumatic caissons is much expensive
than open caissons.
5. During working the various constructional activities, a
proper care has to be taken, otherwise it may lead to fatal
accidents.
6. Labor cost is high.