Foundation

Lecture outline
Designing foundations
The primary factor in designing a foundation is an
understanding of the ground conditions. Data is required
concerning:
• The density of the soil below foundation level,
• The cohesion (stickiness) of the soil,
• The effective pressure of the overburden soil at the level of
the foundation (the weight of soil that lies above the level
at which the foundation will be placed),
• The angle of shearing resistance (this relates to the ease
with which one soil particle will 'slide' over another soil
particle),
• The depth of the proposed foundation,
• The width of the proposed foundation footing,
• The shape of the proposed foundation.
Designing foundations

Building Load

Type of
Foundation +
Soil Bearing Capacity
• Type of Soil
• Bearing capacity of soil
• Settlement
1. What is the purpose of foundations?
1. Spread the load exerted by the building over a
sufficiently wide area

2. Divert or transfer the load to a strata

deep in the soil
2. Types of soil
 Igneous rocks
Granite

Basalt

They have a high safe bearing capacity 2-3 times that of sedimentary rocks
and 25-30 times that of clays and sands.
Course grained non-cohesive
soils

Fine grained cohesive soils

 Soil bearing capacity

Safe bearing capacity of soil =

[ultimate bearing capacity of soil]/[factor of safety]
Typical Soil Profile in Singapore
Fill Ground Water Table

Upper Marine Clay

Stiff Clay
20-30 m
Lower Marine Clay

Stiff Soil

Bed Rock
Detailed knowledge of the nature and
variability of the sub-soil is necessary
Boreholes
An example of a
borehole log
A thorough site investigation is paramount
before commencing construction work.

1. Site inspection

2. Desk study
The foundation engineering report
 What is the content of the foundation engineering report?

• Introduction
• General description of site
• General geology of area
• Description of soil conditions found in boreholes and trial pits
• Laboratory test results
• Discussion of the results of the investigation in relation to foundation
design and construction
• Conclusions/recommendations.

The report will conclude with a recommendation of a suitable

foundation system based on all of the factual data.
What would be the common issues discussed in the
engineering foundation report?

1. Groundwater table
2. Harmful substances
3. Archaeological findings
4. Remains of old buildings
 Groundwater table

Permeability of water through the soil varies

Original groundwater table level

Cone of Depression
 Sometimes, it may not be possible to get
rid of all the water!

Thus, waterproofing of basement concrete

becomes essential and the structural design must
allow for substantial hydrostatic pressures.
 Archaeological findings

An early 19th century wooden boat was discovered adjacent to the

Stadium site as part of the archaeological programme across the Olympic
Park.
One of four skeletons discovered within the Aquatics Centre site during
the programme of archaeology across the Olympic Park.
Remains of old buildings
Now after you addressed all the issues that you
possibly can in relation to the foundation works it is
settle
perfectly normal that a building will .............
 What Causes Foundation Settlement?

Poor Compaction
Changes in Moisture Content

Weak Bearing Soils

Maturing Trees and Vegetation

 Differential settlement

The damage occurs when the

foundation sinks in different
areas at different times.
4. Types of foundations

Spread and pile foundations

Spread foundations

Pad foundations

Raft foundations

Strip foundations
Pad foundations
Pad foundations

Raft foundations
Strip foundations

Conventional strip foundation

Wide strip foundation

Deep strip foundation

Pile foundations
Pile foundations

Displacement piles
Driven Piles
Pre-cast shell piles

Cast in-situ piles

Replacement piles
Bored Piles
Pile Caps
References

Chapter 4- Structure & Fabric Pt 2: Foster and Greeno: 7th Edition: Prentice Hall
Chapter 3 - Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings: Emmitt and Gorse: Blackwell Publishing
Construction Technology Vol 2: Industrial and Commercial Buildings : Riley and Cotgrave: Palgrave

www.neilfoundations.co.uk
www.optimafoundations.com
www.metrorms.co.uk/asbestos.pdf