Introduction To Foundation Systems

ARC5305 Long-Span & Special Structures
Chapter One
Introduction to Foundation
systems
25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 1

Outlines
Introduction
Types of Foundations
Loads on Foundation
Selection of Foundation type and principles of its

design

Introduction
What is foundation?
A foundation is the lowest artificially built part of a

structure which transmits the load of the structure to
the ground.

Introduction
Purposes of Foundations
Foundations are used for the following purposes:
i. To distribute the load of the structure over a large

bearing area so as to bring intensity of loading within
the safe bearing capacity of the soil lying underneath.
ii. To load the bearing surface at a uniform rate so as to

prevent unequal settlement.

Introduction
To secure a level and firm bed for building
operations.
To increase the stability of the structure as a

whole.
To prevent the lateral movement of the supporting

material.

Types of Foundations
Depends on foundation loads and soils bearing
capacity foundations can be broadly classified into
the following two categories.
a) Shallow foundations 𝐷𝑓 ≤ 𝐵
b) Deep foundations 𝐷𝑓 > 𝐵

a) Shallow Foundations
The foundations provided immediately beneath the

lowest part of the structure near to the ground level
are known as shallow foundations.
Shallow foundations are further classified into the

following types:-

i. Spread or Isolated footings
ii. Combined footing
iii.Cantilever footing
iv.Continuous or wall footing
v. Raft/Mat foundation

i. Spread or Isolated Footings
Used to support individual column.

ii. Combined Footing
A combined footing supports two or sometimes

three column in a row.
Combined footing is used when property lines,

equipment locations, column spacing or other
considerations limit the footing clearance at the
column locations.



iii. Cantilever or Strap Footing
Cantilever footing consists of two individual

footings connected by a beam called a strap.
Cantilever footing may be used where the distance

between the columns is so great that a trapezoidal
combined footing becomes quite narrow with
resulting high bending moments.

The strap beam does not remain in contact with
soil so a strap doesn’t transfer any pressure to the
soil.

iv. Continuous or Wall Footing
In this type of footing a single continuous reinforced

concrete slab is provided as foundation of wall and
three or more columns in a row.
This type of footing is suitable at locations liable to

earthquake activities.
This also prevents differential settlement in the

structure.


iv. Raft/Mat Foundation
A raft or mat is a combined footing that covers the

entire area beneath a structure and supports all the
columns.
When its used?
1) The allowable soil pressure is low or the structure

loads are heavy.

2) The use of spread footings would cover more than
one-half of the area
3) The soil mass contains compressible layers so that

the differential settlement would be difficult to
control


Flat plate mat foundation Two-way beam and slab (Ribbed mat)

b) Deep Foundations
When the upper ground stratum at a site is weak

and unable to carry the load even by a raft
foundation, then eventually shallow foundation has
to be ruled out and a deep foundation is adopted.
Deep foundations are further classified into the

following types:-

i. Pile foundation,
ii. Pier foundation or
iii. Well foundation (Caissons)

i. Pile Foundation
A pile is relatively a small diameter shaft which is
used to transmit the loads to deeper soil layers
capable of supporting the loads.
It is adopted for a heavy loaded structure that is
erected in soils having low bearing capacity
transferred to the group of piles through the pile
cap.
 To ensure stability
against lateral forces, a
pile cap must include at
least three piles otherwise
it should be connected by
the beams to adjacent
caps.

Classification of Piles
Based on mode of loads transfer

Based on use

Based on composition

Based on method of Installation

 Driven Piles
 Driven & Cast in-situ Piles
 Bored and Cast in-situ Piles

Bored and Cast in-situ Piles

ii. Pier Foundations (Drilled Caisson Foundation)
Pier foundation is preferred in a location where the
top strata consists of decomposed rock over lying a
strata of sound rock. In such cases it is difficult to
drive the bearing piles through decomposed rock.
Pile foundations transfer the load through friction
and or bearing, pier foundations transfer the load
only through bearing.
g
iii. Well Foundations (Caissons)
These are box like structures circular or rectangular

which are sunk from the surface of either land or
water to the desired depth.
Much large in diameter than the pier foundations.


Loads on Foundation

Selection of Foundation type and principles of its design
In selecting the foundation type the following points

must be considered:
Function of the structure,
Loads it must carry,
Subsurface conditions,
Cost of foundation in comparison with the cost of
the superstructure.

Principles of Foundation design:
Step 1: Preparing a foundation plan and estimate the loads

on it.
Step 2: Determine the allowable soil bearing capacity

depending upon the soil investigation report.
Step 3: Depending upon the allowable soil bearing

capacity and structural considerations, determine the
required foundation depth.
Step 4: Compute the dimensions of the foundation

based on the given loading and allowable bearing
pressure.
Step 5: Estimate the total and differential settlements

of the structure.

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ARC5305 Long-Span & Special Structures

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 1

Selection of Foundation type and principles of its

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 2

A foundation is the lowest artificially built part of a

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 3

Foundations are used for the following purposes:

i. To distribute the load of the structure over a large

ii. To load the bearing surface at a uniform rate so as to

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 4

To increase the stability of the structure as a

To prevent the lateral movement of the supporting

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 5

b) Deep foundations 𝐷𝑓 > 𝐵

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 6

The foundations provided immediately beneath the

Shallow foundations are further classified into the

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 7

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 8

Used to support individual column.

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 9

A combined footing supports two or sometimes

Combined footing is used when property lines,

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 10

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 11

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 12

Cantilever footing consists of two individual

Cantilever footing may be used where the distance

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 13

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 14

In this type of footing a single continuous reinforced

This type of footing is suitable at locations liable to

This also prevents differential settlement in the

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 16

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 17

A raft or mat is a combined footing that covers the

When its used?

1) The allowable soil pressure is low or the structure

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 18

3) The soil mass contains compressible layers so that

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 19

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 20

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 21

When the upper ground stratum at a site is weak

Deep foundations are further classified into the

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 22

ii. Pier foundation or

iii. Well foundation (Caissons)

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 23

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 25

Based on mode of loads transfer

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 26

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 27

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 28

Based on method of Installation

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 29

Bored and Cast in-situ Piles

25-Mar-24 Introduction to foundation systems 30

These are box like structures circular or rectangular