Surname & Initials Student Number

Plaatjie AJ 222448938

Module Construction Technology

Assignment 2

Due date 05/09/2022

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Contents
Foundation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……2
Settingout.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............…….2
Excavation.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……2
Functions of Foundation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………2
Shallow Foundation Types…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Factors that affect choosing the foundation type…………………………………………………………………….……...….…..……….3
Concrete Placing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….……..…….3
SANS codes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..…….3
Appendix.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Reference……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………6

Foundations

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A building's foundation is the lower part of the structure that disperses its gravity loads to
the ground. Shallow and deep foundations are the two types into which foundations are
typically divided. The superstructure of a building is supported and anchored by the
foundation, which conveys the building's loads to the earth directly. The bottom of the
foundation needs to be below the frost level in order to protect it from repeated freeze-
thaw cycles.
Nearly all low-rise residential structures have spread footings, which are broad bases (often
made of concrete) that support walls or piers and spread the load over a larger area.
Especially in a structure without columns, a concrete grade beam supported by isolated
footings, piers, piles may be positioned at ground level.
Setting Out
Marking the building's corners is the first step. The lengths of the sides are then verified by
taking diagonal measurements. Profiles, sighting rails, strings, and pegs are used to indicate
the axial lines known as centre lines of the trenches. Outline profile boards are used to
position the trench. To prevent the excavation from being obstructed, profiles are placed
2m from the outline. The frontage lines are positioned correctly in accordance with local
requirements, and the offsets are calculated from axial lines.
Measurements along the main walls and any necessary squared measurements from these
walls are used to locate the cross walls. During this procedure, the overall width of the
trenches must be precisely defined. It is important to do checks and approval by the second
person before the process of excavation to see if the setting- out lines for right angles and
lengths are correct. Finally, a surveyor uses a datum throughout the process.
Excavation
Wooden pegs and strings are used to mark the area that will be excavated before the real
excavation operation starts. The general contractor will also choose the depth in advance.
Excavation is the labour- intensive, equipment-intensive process of removing earth from the
designated area to make way for the foundation. As earth is removed, the trench may need
to be strengthened depending on the depth and soil hardness. Planking will be installed to
hold the sides in place until the foundation can be poured if the ground is very flimsy.
Functions of Foundation
 To bring the intensity of the load within the soil's safe bearing capacity, the
structure's load must be distributed over a large bearing area.
 To consistently load the bearing surface in order to prevent differential settlement.
 To stop supporting material from moving laterally.
 To create a level, firm bed for construction activities.
 To improve the structure's overall stability.
 The loads of a large area of soil are distributed by the foundation. As a result, the
soil's safe bearing capacity is not exceeded by the intensity of the load at its base.
 Spread out the structure's weight over a large area to prevent overloading the
ground's soil.
 To protect the building from natural disasters such as floods, heaves and wind.

Shallow Foundation Types

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In a shallow foundation the structural load is transferred to the earth just below the surface
instead of to a layer below the surface or a range of depths, as does a deep foundation.
Typically, a shallow foundation is one where the width of the foundation is greater than its
depth. A shallow foundation can be strip footing, isolated footing, combined footing strap
and they are cheap when comes to installation.
Factors that affect choosing the foundation type
The Selection criteria for foundation for buildings depend on many factors such as factors
that are related to soil conditions and factors related to loads from the structure and soil
bearing capacity. Another element related to loads on the structure and influencing the
choice of foundation is the settlement calculation of the foundation.
The load of the building is made from its contents such as people known as live loads and
materials inside the building known as dead loads.
The selection of foundation is affected by construction problems, economic factors, type of
structure and soil, ground water conditions, aspects of the environment such as wind, rain,
snow depending on the location and rules and guidelines for construction.
Concrete Placing
Understanding the properties of concrete makes a construction project to be successful and
simple for the contractors. Compressive strength and slump are two common subcategories
of a concrete's properties.
Compressive strength: One of the most crucial structural qualities of concrete is thought to
be its compressive strength. Different grades are used to categorize concrete as an
industrial standard. These classifications are based on the material's compressive strength
when a sample of it is formed into a cube or a cylinder. It is crucial to consider this aspect of
concrete because it is the main indicator of how well concrete can withstand loads that
have an impact on its size.
Concrete slumps: At the construction site, over the course of the job, slumps are used to
assess the workability or consistency of the concrete mix that has been made, including
admixture, temperature, and kind of cement. The amount of compaction has a significant
impact on the strength of concrete at a given mix proportion. Therefore, it is crucial that the
mix consistency allow for easy transportation, placement, and finishing of the concrete
without segregation. A concrete that meets these requirements is deemed to be workable.

SANS Codes
 SANS 2001 – CC1
 SANS 10400 – H: Foundations
 SANS 10400 – G: Excavations

Appendix- Specification for my house plan

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Typical section on foundation brick wall:
 220 mm wall built on a 700 x 300 strip footing.
 Damp-proof course membrane in brick walls.
 Masonry: Stock bricks in 1:3 cement mortar.
 External facings to two courses below the ground level.
Surface beds:
 50 mm cement screed laid on a 100 mm surface bed.
 100 mm unreinforced concrete surface bed on 250- micron DPM on compacted
earth filling.
 200 mm hardcore filling.

SPECIFICATIONS:

 Earthworks: Clear site 3 metres all round beyond the foundation walls.
 Excavated materials to be used for filling.
 Concrete: 15 MPa/ 19mm aggregates
 Waterproofing: Plastic damp-proof sheeting under concrete surface bed. Damp-
proof course membrane in brick walls
Foundation type:
 Combination of strip footings and surface beds.

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References
Anon., 2002. bigdreadymix. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bigdreadymix.com/what-is-the-standard-strength-of-concrete/#:~:text=Usually%2C
%20the%20compressive%20strength%20of,10%2C000%20psi%20(70%20MPa).
[Accessed 01 09 2022].
Anon., 2009-2021. theconstructor. [Online]
Available at: https://theconstructor.org/building/setting-out-foundation/5986/#:~:text=Setting%20out%20of
%20building%20foundation,before%20commencing%20the%20excavation%20process.
[Accessed 30 08 2022].
Anon., 2010. CFS Concrete Flooring. [Online]
Available at: https://concreteflooringsolutions.co.uk/blog/properties-of-concrete-in-construction/
[Accessed 27 08 2022].
Anon., 2021. wikiversity. [Online]
Available at: https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Foundation_in_construction#:~:text=A%20foundation%20is%20a
%20lower,stand%20for%20a%20long%20time.
[Accessed 27 08 2022].
Anon., 2022. bigdreadymix. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bigdreadymix.com/what-is-the-standard-strength-of-concrete/#:~:text=Usually%2C
%20the%20compressive%20strength%20of,10%2C000%20psi%20(70%20MPa).1.
[Accessed 20 08 2022].
Anon., 2022. Wikipedia. [Online]
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_(engineering)
[Accessed 19 08 2022].
Anon., n.d. britannica. [Online]
Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/foundation-construction
[Accessed 02 09 2022].
Encyclopaedia, T. E. o., 2021. britannica. [Online]
Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/foundation-construction
[Accessed 30 08 2022].

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