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Foundation Design Guidelines South Africa

This document discusses foundations for buildings and structures. It explains that foundations are built below ground and form the base to carry the total load of the building. Various types of foundations exist depending on factors like structural loads, soil type, economics, buildability, and durability. Common foundation types referenced include strip footings, raft slabs, piles, and ground beams. The document provides some empirical rules and guidelines for foundations in heavy soil or shrinkable clay, and stresses the importance of consulting a structural engineer to design foundations suited for the particular building and soil conditions.

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Forbes Kamba
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268 views5 pages

Foundation Design Guidelines South Africa

This document discusses foundations for buildings and structures. It explains that foundations are built below ground and form the base to carry the total load of the building. Various types of foundations exist depending on factors like structural loads, soil type, economics, buildability, and durability. Common foundation types referenced include strip footings, raft slabs, piles, and ground beams. The document provides some empirical rules and guidelines for foundations in heavy soil or shrinkable clay, and stresses the importance of consulting a structural engineer to design foundations suited for the particular building and soil conditions.

Uploaded by

Forbes Kamba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FOUNDATIONS

part of the building which sits on the ground, to carry the than 2m.

built below ground and form the base for any structure and
following:

• the total load of the building/structure


•
• economics,
• buildability, and
a general reference to all the elements that make up the • durability

structure and all elements between the ground and the

trench and soil/gravel/rock beneath the trench, concrete


groups are more appropriate when the structural loads

throughout South Africa. For this reason, various types of

most common reference is in their form.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FOUNDATIONS

Warning: It should be noted that there is no standard

Empirical rules apply to buildings not exceeding two storeys


in height and with loadings not exceeding those detailed

where the founding material is heavy soil, or shrinkable


clay or a soil with collapsible fabric. These rules include
that:

•
• Concrete should have a compressive strength of at

not weaker than 1 part of cement to 4 parts of sand


to 5 parts of coarse aggregate (see concrete mixes
overleaf).
•
of not less than 200 mm.
•
Ground Beams

It is always recommend that the services of a structural

the structure.

importance that we understand the loads a type of soil or


said to suit all types of buildings - the variables are too vast
and therefore making use of a structural engineer or geo
technical engineer is always recommended
always recommended that the services of a geotechnical or

before any building work commences.

Standards

Any building should be designed to provide strength,

accordance with accepted standards. The design of the


structural system of any building should be carried out in
accordance with SANS 10160 (for loads) and SANS 10164
(for structural use of masonry). However, “deemed-to-
CONCRETE
Concrete Aggregates

Coarse aggregate (Stone)

Fine aggregate (Sand)

Cement

Note:
CONCRETE

www.theconcreteinsitute.org.za

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