A case study about the Common foundations used in Bangladesh.

1. Introduction
In engineering, a foundation is the element of a structure which connects it to the ground,
transferring loads from the structure to the ground. Foundations are generally considered
either shallow or deep.
The main role of foundations is to structurally support the building by transferring the loads
of the building through the walls into the surrounding soil. In terms of a timber frame
structure, the foundations must also protect the timber from moisture ingress by lifting the
members above the ground.
The foundation must transmit the combined, dead and imposed loads on a building to the
ground safely.

Procedure for construction of foundation starts with a decision on its depth, width, and
marking layout for excavation and centerline of foundation. Foundation is the part of the
structure below the plinth level in direct contact of soil and transmits the load of
superstructure to the ground.
Generally, it is below the ground level. If some part of the foundation is above ground
level, it is also covered with earth filling. This portion of the structure is not in contact with
air, light, etc., or to say that it is the hidden part of the structure.

2. Description

Types of Foundation and their Uses

Following are different types of foundations used in construction:

1. Shallow foundation

A shallow foundation is a type of building foundation that transfers structural load to the
earth very near to the surface, rather than to a subsurface layer or a range of depths, as
does a deep foundation.

o Individual footing or isolated footing

o Combined footing
o Strip foundation
o Raft or mat foundation
 2. Deep Foundation

In case, the strata of good bearing capacity is not available near the ground, the
foundation of the structure has to be taken deep with the purpose of attaining a bearing
stratum which is suitable in all respects.
The most common forms of construction pertaining to deep foundation are:

 Pile foundation
 Drilled Shafts or caissons

1. Individual Footing or Isolated Footing

Individual footing or an isolated footing is the most common type of foundation used for
building construction. This foundation is constructed for a single column and also called
a pad foundation.

The shape of individual footing is square or rectangle and is used when loads from the
structure is carried by the columns. Size is calculated based on the load on the column
and the safe bearing capacity of soil.

Rectangular isolated footing is selected when the foundation experiences moments due
to the eccentricity of loads or due to horizontal forces.

2. Combined Footing
Combined footing is constructed when two or more columns are close enough and their
isolated footings overlap each other. It is a combination of isolated footings, but their
structural design differs.

The shape of this footing is a rectangle and is used when loads from the structure is
carried by the columns.

3. Spread footings or Strip footings and Wall footings

Spread footings are those whose base is wider than a typical load-bearing wall
foundations. The wider base of this footing type spreads the weight from the building
structure over more area and provides better stability.

Spread footings and wall footings are used for individual columns, walls and bridge piers
where the bearing soil layer is within 3m (10 feet) from the ground surface. Soil bearing
capacity must be sufficient to support the weight of the structure over the base area of
the structure.

These should not be used on soils where there is any possibility of a ground flow
of water above bearing layer of soil which may result in scour or liquefaction.
4. Raft or Mat Foundations
Raft or mat foundations are the types of foundation which are spread across the entire
area of the building to support heavy structural loads from columns and walls.

The use of mat foundation is for columns and walls foundations where the loads from the
structure on columns and walls are very high. This is used to prevent differential
settlement of individual footings, thus designed as a single mat (or combined footing) of
all the load-bearing elements of the structure.

It is suitable for expansive soils whose bearing capacity is less for the suitability of spread
footings and wall footings. Raft foundation is economical when one-half area of the
structure is covered with individual footings and wall footings are provided.

These foundations should not be used where the groundwater table is above the bearing
surface of the soil. The use of foundation in such conditions may lead to scour and
liquefaction.

Types of Deep Foundation

1. Pile Foundations
Pile foundation is a type of deep foundation which is used to transfer heavy loads from
the structure to a hard rock strata much deep below the ground level.

Pile foundations are used to transfer heavy loads of structures through columns to hard
soil strata which is much below ground level where shallow foundations such as spread
footings and mat footings cannot be used. This is also used to prevent uplift of the
structure due to lateral loads such as earthquake and wind forces.

Pile foundations are generally used for soils where soil conditions near the ground surface
is not suitable for heavy loads. The depth of hard rock strata may be 5m to 50m (15 feet
to 150 feet) deep from the ground surface.

Pile foundation resists the loads from the structure by skin friction and by end bearing.
The use of pile foundations also prevents differential settlement of foundations

2.Drilled Shafts or Caisson Foundation

Drilled shafts, also called as caissons, is a type of deep foundation and has an action
similar to pile foundations discussed above, but are high capacity cast-in-situ foundations.
It resists loads from structure through shaft resistance, toe resistance and/or combination
of both of these. The construction of drilled shafts or caissons are done using an auger.
Drilled shafts can transfer column loads larger than pile foundations. It is used where the
depth of hard strata below ground level is located within 10m to 100m (25 feet to 300
feet).

Drilled shafts or caisson foundation is not suitable when deep deposits of soft clays and
loose, water-bearing granular soils exist. It is also not suitable for soils where caving
formations are difficult to stabilize, soils made up of boulders, artesian aquifer exists.

Pile foundations are broadly used in Bangladesh.

Because Pile foundations are principally used to transfer the loads from superstructures,
through weak, compressible strata or water onto stronger, more compact, less
compressible, and stiffer soil or rock at depth, increasing the effective size of a foundation
and resisting horizontal loads.

Pile foundations are the part of a structure used to carry and transfer the load of the
structure to the bearing ground located at some depth below ground surface. The main
components of the foundation are the pile cap and the piles. Piles are long and slender
members which transfer the load to deeper soil or rock of high bearing capacity avoiding
shallow soil of low bearing capacity The main types of materials used for piles are Wood,
steel and concrete. Piles made from these materials are driven, drilled or jacked into the
ground and connected to pile caps. Depending upon type of soil, pile material and load
transmitting characteristic piles are classified accordingly

Types of Pile Foundation

Pile foundations can be classified based on function, materials and installation process,
etc. Followings are the types of pile foundation used in construction:

A. Based on Function or Use

1. Sheet Piles
2. Load Bearing Piles
3. End bearing Piles
4. Friction Piles
5. Soil Compactor Piles
B. Based on Materials and Construction Method
1. Timber Piles
2. Concrete Piles
3. Steel Piles
4. Composite Piles

Sheet Piles
This type of pile is mostly used to provide lateral support. Usually, they resist lateral
pressure from loose soil, the flow of water, etc. They are usually used for cofferdams,
trench sheeting, shore protection, etc. They are not used for providing vertical support to
the structure. They are usually used to serve the following purpose-

 Construction of retaining walls.

 Protection from river bank erosion.
 Retain the loose soil around foundation trenches.
 For isolation of foundation from adjacent soils.
 For confinement of soil and thus increase the bearing capacity of the soil.

Load Bearing Piles

This type of pile foundation is mainly used to transfer the vertical loads from the structure
to the soil. These foundations transmit loads through the soil with poor supporting
property onto a layer which is capable of bearing the load. Depending on the mechanism
of load transfer from pile to the soil, load-bearing piles can be further classified as flowed.

End Bearing Piles

In this type of pile, the loads pass through the lower tip of the pile. The bottom end of the
pile rests on a strong layer of soil or rock. Usually, the pile rests at a transition layer of a
weak and strong slayer. As a result, the pile acts as a column and safely transfers the
load to the strong layer.
The total capacity of end bearing pile can be calculated by multiplying the area of the tip
of the pile and the bearing capacity of at that particular depth of soil at which the pile rests.
Considering a reasonable factor of safety, the diameter of the pile is calculated.

Friction Pile
Friction pile transfers the load from the structure to the soil by the frictional force between
the surface of the pile and the soil surrounding the pile such as stiff clay, sandy soil, etc.
Friction can be developed for the entire length of the pile or a definite length of the pile,
depending on the strata of the soil. In friction pile, generally, the entire surface of the pile
works to transfer the loads from the structure to the soil.
The surface area of the pile multiplied by the safe friction force developed per unit area
determines the capacity of the pile.
While designing skin friction pile, the skin friction to be developed at a pile surface should
be sincerely evaluated and a reasonable factor of safety should be considered. Besides
this one can increase the pile diameter, depth, number of piles and make pile surface
rough to increase the capacity of friction pile.

Soil Compactor Piles

Sometimes piles are driven at placed closed intervals to increase the bearing capacity of
soil by compacting.
B. Based on Materials and Construction Method

Timber Piles
Timber piles are placed under the water level. They last for approximately about 30 years.
They can be rectangular or circular in shape. Their diameter or size can vary from 12 to
16 inches. The length of the pile is usually 20 times of the top width.
They are usually designed for 15 to 20 tons. Additional strength can be obtained by bolting
fish plates to the side of the piles.
Advantages of Timber Piles-

 Timber piles of regular size are available.

 Economical.
 Easy to install.
 Low possibility of damage.
 Timber piles can be cut off at any desired length after they are installed.
 If necessary, timber piles can be easily pulled out.

Concrete Piles
Pre-cast Concrete Pile
The precast concrete pile is cast in pile bed in the horizontal form if they are rectangular
in shape. Usually, circular piles are cast in vertical forms. Precast piles are usually
reinforced with steel to prevent breakage during its mobilization from casting bed to the
location of the foundation. After the piles are cast, curing has to be performed as per
specification. Generally curing period for pre-cast piles is 21 to 28 days.
Advantages of Pre-cast Piles

 Provides high resistance to chemical and biological cracks.

 They are usually of high strength.
 To facilitate driving, a pipe may be installed along the center of the pile.
 If the piles are cast and ready to be driven before the installation phase is due, it
can increase the pace of work.
 The confinement of the reinforcement can be ensured.
 Quality of the pile can be controlled.
 f any fault is identified, it can be replaced before driving.
 Pre-cast piles can be driven under the water.
 The piles can be loaded immediately after it is driven up to the required length.

Steel Piles
Steel piles may be of I-section or hollow pipe. They are filled with concrete. The size may
vary from 10 inches to 24 inches in diameter and thickness is usually ¾ inches. Because
of the small sectional area, the piles are easy to drive. They are mostly used as end-
bearing piles.
Advantages of Steel Piles

 They are easy to install.

 They can reach a greater depth comparing to any other type of pile.
 Can penetrate through the hard layer of soil due to the less cross-sectional area.
 It is easy to splice steel piles
 Can carry heavy loads.

Following are the situations when using a pile foundation system can be

 When the groundwater table is high.

 Heavy and un-uniform loads from superstructure are imposed.
 Other types of foundations are costlier or not feasible.
 When the soil at shallow depth is compressible.
 When there is the possibility of scouring, due to its location near the river bed or
seashore, etc.
 When there is a canal or deep drainage systems near the structure.
 When soil excavation is not possible up to the desired depth due to poor soil
condition.
 When it becomes impossible to keep the foundation trenches dry by pumping or
by any other measure due to heavy inflow of seepage.

Advantages of Pile Foundation :

This can be pre-ordered

Most of the time foundations are made at the place of the construction but in this case, if
the engineer would be aware of the size and structure of the foundation needed for a
particular home then that person would be able to get the foundation made prior. This
would not only save a lot of your time but at the same time it would also be mess-free and
the best thing is that it would save up the labor charges which is great for sure.

we can get it customized

Most of the time it has been seen that the foundation is cut short or have to join to cover
large areas but in case of pile foundation the matter would be different as here you would
be able to get the perfect size of the foundation according to your requirement which is
great for sure. However, in this case, you would have to be sure about the size of the pile
that would have to use for the construction of your home.
Reduced construction time

You would be aware of the fact that the construction of the base consumes the most
amount of time and workers cannot compromise in that case because if they would do so
then the entire construction quality of the home would be affected that no one wants.

If you would pre-order the pile foundation of your home after being confirmed about the
sizes then you would be able to save up a lot of your time which is great for sure but you
have to be sure about the size otherwise it can eat up some extra time for the correction.

Suitable for all sizes of land

No matter if you have a huge plot for getting your home constructed or if you have a very
listed space for your home construction but you can still have this foundation and it is
suitable for both the cases.

Most of the time it becomes hard to create piles for a large area but with pile foundations,
this would no longer be a problem which is a great thing for sure. If your land is limited
then also you can cut the size of the foundation and get it installed in your land for the
construction of your home which is a great thing for sure.

Suitable for deep installations

This is best for lands that are very deep and if you care about getting your home
constructed in a deep land then this would be best for your home. Deep lands are very
hard to work with as they are prone to slides and so people tend to avoid such kind of
lands but if you have such land and you don’t want to waste it then the pile foundation
would be best for our home.

Best for wetlands

If you are about to get your home constructed on wetland then you would be aware of the
fact that wetlands are very hard to work with. To make the space perfect and secure for
home constructions, you can use a pile foundation which is great for sure and this would
serve the purpose at the same time

Long-lasting

You might know the fact that the sustainability of a home depends upon the quality of its
base and if you would get a pile foundation underneath then you would not have to bother
about the base quality of the home which is a great thing for sure.
Good for places where drilling and creating holes are tough

Wetlands are one such places where you would not be able to drill down anything easily
and it also makes creating holes very tough so even for those situations, the pile
foundation would be best for you. This would not require all those things as this foundation
is pre-made in a factory.

3. Conclusion

The course Foundation Engineering is one of the most necessary subjects

of civil engineering since all the structures are to be built on foundations. The
structure may be strong but for the durability and stability of the structure its
foundation needs to be strong enough for which one should have a thorough
knowledge of foundation Engineering.