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Today, we’ll be talking about the various types of foundations used in building structures.
Foundations are the considered to be the bedrock of any construction and engineering project, so understanding the different types of foundations is always crucial.
TABLE OF CONTENT:
1_TYPES OF SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
A foundation is the part
of a structure that is present just the below ground level. It is responsible
for transferring the load of the structure to the soil below. Foundations are
considered of utmost importance for the stability of any engineering structure.
TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS:
We'll classify the
Foundations into two main categories:
Shallow foundations and
Deep foundations.
Shallow foundations are
used for structures where not much load is applied and where the soil bearing
capacity is not an issue. Most of the times they are constructed within the top
3 meters of soil.
Types of shallow foundations:
Spread footings:
Spread footing is the most
common and widely used type of shallow foundation. They are square or
rectangular in their shape and geometry and are designed to evenly spread the
overall weight of the structure over a large area.
Strip footings:
Strip footings are almost
similar to spread footings, but they are long and narrow. They are mostly used
to support the load of walls and other horizontal structures.
Raft foundations:
Raft foundations are large
concrete slabs that cover the overall area of the structure. They are often
constructed for structures which possess heavy loads or where the soil bearing
capacity is not up to the mark.
Types of Deep foundations:
Deep foundations are used
where the bearing capacity of existing soil is not what is required or when the
structure to be constructed is to carry heavy loads. They are often build to depths
of 10 meters or more below the ground.
Pile foundations:
Pile foundations are very long, slender columns that are driven down into the ground. These long columns are usually made of wood, concrete, or steel.
Drilled shaft foundations:
Drilled shaft foundations are very similar to pile foundations, but they are constructed by the process of drilling a hole into the ground and then this hole is filled with concrete.
The type of foundation
that we use for a specified or designed structure depends on a number of
factors, which includes the weight of the structure, the soil bearing capacity,
and the budget as well.
"Those were 2 main
types and few sub types of foundations used in construction structure. Choosing
the right foundation is of utmost importance for ensuring the long-life
stability and longevity of any engineering project."
I hope this article was
helpful. If you have any questions related to foundations, please leave them in
the comments below.
