FOUNDATION SYSTEM

(SHALLOW AND DEEP FOUNDATIONS)

Foundation is one of the essential parts of the structure. It is defined as that part of the structure that transfers
the load from the structure constructed on it as well as its weight over a large area of soil in such a way that the
amount does not exceed the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil and the settlement of the whole structure remains
within a tolerable limit. Foundation is the part of a structure on which the building stands. The solid ground on which
it rests is known as the foundation bed.

Foundation should fulfill the following objectives:

 Distribute the weight of the structure over a large area of soil.

 Avoid unequal settlement.
 Prevent the lateral movement of the structure.
 Increase structural stability.

.Types of Foundation
In general, all foundations are divided into two categories, - shallow and deep foundations. The terms Shallow
and Deep Foundation refer to the depth of the soil at which it is placed. Generally, if the width of the foundation is
greater than the depth, it is labeled as the “Shallow Foundation”. If the width is smaller than the depth of the
foundation it is called a “Deep Foundation.” However, deep foundation and shallow foundation can be classified as
shown in the following chart.
 TYPES OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION

1. Mat (Raft) Foundation

Consisting of a single large continuous rectangular or

circular slab under a building, the mat (or raft) foundation
carries and distributes an entire load of a structure. Raft
foundations can support a number of columns and walls at
once and spread the load out under the entire footprint of
the building.

When the soil layer beneath a building has low stability or

bearing capacity, mat foundations can reduce differential
settlement. Mat foundations are common in commercial building projects and in areas where basements are popular.

2. Spread Footing

Footings are the bottom part of a foundation that actually

touches the ground. They help transfer the weight of the
building directly to the soil, as well as prevent moisture from
seeping into the structure, which can cause mold and mildew
problems. Different types of foundations use different types of
footings: concrete footings are common, but stone, brick, and
wood footings also exist.

The advantages of spread footing include cost savings, easier construction of basements, and decreased risk of
foundation cracking or collapse. On the downside, spread footings are limited to certain types of soil and settlement
can be a significant issue.

3. Basement Foundation

Basement foundations serve the same purpose as regular foundations:

to distribute a building’s weight evenly and protect it from moisture
and water. Unlike typical foundations, however, basement foundation
walls are fully submerged in the soil to create working or storage
space below the ground level.

Because basements are typically completely below ground level, they

can take longer to build than standard foundations. They often require heavy-duty equipment like excavators, cranes,
and graders to dig and move soil. Despite the difference in depth, basement foundations are constructed in the same
way as regular foundations, using poured concrete, concrete blocks, or precast concrete slabs.
 Depending on the area you’re working in and your client’s requests, you may encounter these two types of
basement foundations:

 Full basement: Full basements are submerged on a level plane that covers the entire building perimeter. You
can opt to leave a basement unfinished or install insulation, drywall, and flooring to create living space below
ground.

 Daylight: If a house rests on a slope, a daylight basement foundation makes more sense. As the name
suggests, one side of the basement sits above ground (letting in daylight) while the other side is completely
submerged. Daylight basements are ideal for homeowners who want walkout basements that allow them to
access yards or patios.

4. Crawl Space Foundation

Typically elevated a few feet off the ground, crawl space

foundations are deeper than standard foundations but more
shallow than basement foundations. These foundations leave a
small protected space of about three to four feet high under the
house, providing access to drainage pipes, plumbing, and
other elements running beneath the house, but not enough
room for most people to stand.

In addition to make it easier to reach plumbing and piping,

crawl spaces keep houses cooler in warmer climates by allowing air to move freely underneath the structure. Although
crawl space foundations tend to cost less to build than other basement foundations, you will also need to consider
insulation and moisture control. Moisture control may mean installing a vapor barrier, a sump pump, or both.

5. Concrete Slab Foundation

The most common type of foundation, slab foundations consist of a 6- to 8-inch concrete pad underneath a structure.
The load your foundation needs to bear determines the thickness of the slab. Although less suited to extremely cold
climates that get a lot of freezing temperatures and snow and
earthquake-prone areas, slab foundations tend to be relatively
cheap, easy to build, low maintenance, and energy efficient.

Constructing a simple slab foundation involves pouring concrete

directly onto soil prepared with sand or gravel to assist with
drainage. Other slab foundations have additional components like
supporting concrete feet or insulating foam.
 TYPES OF DEEP FOUNDATIONS

1.Pile Foundation

Pile foundations consist of long, slender cylinders

made of strong material. When pushed into the stable
ground deep below the surface, pile foundations
transfer the load to the desired depth and support the
structure above.

A number of specific ground conditions call for pile

foundations, including a layer of weak soil at the surface, high groundwater levels, deep drainage systems, or soil that
is impossible to excavate to the desired depth. Pile foundations are also used on structures with heavy, concentrated
loads, such as water tanks, bridges, or high-rise buildings.

Common materials used to create pile foundations include concrete, steel, and timber—and each type has
disadvantages and advantages. Steel can take heavier loads and reach greater depths, but may cost more and corrode
over time. Wood foundations are economical and easy to install but can’t always penetrate hard soil.

1. Caisson Foundation
Caisson foundations consist of
prefabricated hollow boxes or cylinders
that serve as watertight retaining
structures. Also known as pier foundations,
caissons provide underwater support for
bridge piers, concrete dams, or ship
repairs.
Caisson foundations can be built at or near
the surface of the ground and then sunk to the desired depth. To create this kind of deep foundation,
Engineers auger a hole in the ground, excavate or dredge material from within the caisson, and then fill
it with concrete. Caissons can be drilled into bedrock or other suitably stable soil layers below the water
surface.

3. Buoyant Foundation

Designed to support heavy loads on soft soil surfaces,

buoyant foundations act as floating substructures.
Whether you know them as floating raft foundations,
hollow box foundations, or compensated foundations, the purpose remains the same: to reduce the load intensity over
the soil.

Buoyant foundations balance the weight of excavated soil with a structure of the same weight, reducing settlement in
soft or weak soil. Also useful for home building in flood-prone areas, buoyant foundations elevate structures above
highwater levels.

 Advantages of Shallow Foundations:

o Cost-Effective: Shallow foundations are more economical than deep foundations. They require less
excavation and fewer materials.

o Speed of Construction: Construction of shallow foundations is faster due to their simplicity.

o Minimal Soil Disturbance: Shallow foundations disturb the site soil less compared to deep
foundations, which involve extensive excavation and pile installation .

 Disadvantages of Shallow Foundations:

o Limited Load-Bearing Capacity: Shallow foundations can’t support heavy loads as effectively as deep
foundations. They are suitable for small structures and houses.

o Susceptibility to Settlement: Uneven soil conditions may cause differential settlement, leading to
foundation issues.

o Weather Sensitivity: Shallow foundations are more vulnerable to severe weather conditions

 Advantages of Deep Foundations:

o include high load-bearing capacity, settlement control, and versatility in challenging soil
conditions.
 Disadvantages of Deep Foundations:
o include higher costs, complex design and installation processes, environmental considerations,
site constraints, and maintenance and accessibility issue.

REFERENCES

https://www.scribd.com/doc/63429538/Shallow-Foundation-and-Deep-Foundation?
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9 Different Types of Foundations in Construction (kairalitmt.com)Shallow Foundation and Deep Foundation |

PDF | Deep Foundation | Foundation (Engineering) (scribd.com)

Types of Foundation and their Uses in Building Construction (theconstructor.org)

8 Most Important Types of Foundation - Civil Engineering (civiltoday.com)

9 Different Types of Foundations in Construction (kairalitmt.com)