FOUNDATION

DEFINITION
• Foundation is that part of a building which is in direct contact with
the soil and transmits loads to it.
• Foundations are normally placed below the ground surface.
• Foundation can be built in various types of material. Generally
bricks, stones, concrete, steel, etc. are used in different forms for
constructing the foundation of a building.
• The function of a foundation is to distribute the load over a larger area at a
uniform rate so that the pressure on the soil does not exceed its allowable bearing
capacity.
• Foundations increase the stability of a building and enable the construction to be
carried out systematically.
 FUNCTIONS OF FOUNDATION
• Distribution of load ; help to distribute the loads of the upper
structure to a large area of soil
• Stability against sliding and overturning ; foundation imparts lateral
stability to the upper structure by anchoring it to the ground. It
increases the stability against sliding and overturning due to
horizontal forces of wind, earthquake,etc.
• Minimise differential settlement ; foundation distribute the super-
imposed loads evenly on the sub-soil, even in the case of non-
uniform loads.
• Safety against undermining ; foundations provide safety against
scouring / undermining by flood water or burrowing animals
• Provide level surface which upper-structure can be raised
• Minimises distress against soil movement.
 ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF
FOUNDATION
• The foundations should be capable of sustaining the design loads (dead,live,wind,
or seismic) without exceeding the permissible stresses of the materials of the
foundations
• The design loads should be transmitted by the foundations to the sub-soil so that
the bearing pressure of the supporting soil is within the allowable limits
• Foundations should be taken sufficiently deep to control distress or failure caused
by shrinkage or swelling of the sub-soil.
TYPES OF FOUNDATION
 FOOT FOUNDATION
• Foot foundation (pondasi tapak) / shallow foundation ; used in a
simple construction and to sustain loads from column, walls, or the
edge of a simple bridge. (used in houses, floors, fence, simple
bridge)
 MAT FOUNDATION
• Mat foundation (pondasi lajur / setempat) ; used for
sustaining heavier loads from a simple construction
considering soil settlements (used in 2 storey houses)
 PILE FOUNDATION
• Pondasi tiang ; used in a high-rise construction with piling
system (used in high-rise building)
 RAFT FOUNDATION
• Raft foundation (pondasi plat menerus) ; used in a high-rise
building construction with plate system (ex : high-rise
building)
 RETAINING WALL FOUNDATION
Retaining wall foundation ; To retain lateral forces permanently
(ex ; retaining wall for basement)
 DINDING PENAHAN TANAH
(RETAINING WALL)

Pasangan batu kali / beton

Turap : - beton
- baja
- kayu
 SHEET PILE STRUCTURE
• Structure sheet pile ; used for
retaining lateral soil forces
temporarily (ex; for
excavation, waterfront,
cofferdams)
 THINGS THAT CAN DAMAGE THE
FOUNDATION
• Over loading (the loads above are over the
foundation’s capacity)
• Earthquakes, floods, soil erosion, etc.
• Roots of a large tree that sometimes can lift the
foundation
• Soil structural damage caused by another heavy
building near the foundation
• Age of the foundation causing material fatigue
• Uncertainty factors and diverse types of soil
causing miscalculating in design