Selection of Type of Foundation
Types of foundation
Shallow foundations:
1 Spread footing or wall footing Isolated/ undividual column & and
2 Combined footings
3 Raft/Mat foundation
4 Grillage foundation
Deep foundation :
1 Floating pile
2 Bearing pile
3 Drilled piers or caissons
Earth- retaining structures :
Retaining walls, bridge
1 Permantent soil retention
abutments
Sheeting structures (sheet
2 marine cofferdams for underwater
piles, wood sheeting, etcs )
Use Condition of soil at site
Bearing capacity is reasonably adequate for applied load.
continuous wall
Two to four column on footing and/ or
Compressibility of soil is acceptable.
sapce is limited
Several rows of parallel columns; heavy Soil bearing capacity is generally less than for spread footing
column loads ; used to reduce differential and over half the plan area would be covered if spread footings
settlements are used. Settlement has to be acceptable
Reasonable soil bearing capacity, necessary to restrict the
Very large column loads from
depth of foundation to enable it to be above the ground water
superstructure
table
In groups of two supporting a cap which Surface and near surface soils have low bearing capacity and
is conneted to column good soil is at a reasonable depth
In groups of two supporting a cap which Surface and near surface soils are very weak good soil is at a
is conneted to column reasonable depth
Surface and near surface soils are very weak good soil is at a
For large column loads
reasonable depth
Any type of soil but a specified zone in backfill is usually of
controlled fill
Temporary or permanent for excavations;
Retain any type of soil or water
construction
`
 General Guidelines for Design

Footings should be constructed at an adequate depth below ground level to avoid passive
1. failure of the adjacent soil by heaving.

The footing depth should be preferably below the zone of seasonal volumne changes due
to freezing, thawing, frost action, ground water and so on.
2.

Adequate precautions have to be taken to cater for expansive soils causing swelling
3. pressure (upwards pressure on the footing).

The stabitity of the footing has to be ensured against overturning, sliding uplift
4. (floatation), tension at the contactt surface (base of the footing), excessive settlement and
bearing capacity of soil.
The Foundation needs to be protected against corrosion and other harmful materials that
5. may be present in the soilo at site.

The design should have enough flexibility to take care of modifications of the
6. superstructure at a later stage or unanticipated site conditions.