Assignment in Archt 24 - A

Structural Foundations

Edith Joy P. Supat | BS Architecture II

Student

Arch. Alexander Udjaji

Instructor

1 | SUPAT
Foundations are structural elements that connect a structure to the ground that supports it and are typically composed of concrete, steel, and wood. Foundations can generally be classified into two broad categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations. Shallow foundations transfer the structural loads to near-surface soils and are typically used for small to medium-sized buildings when near-surface soil conditions are adequate. Shallow foundations are used occasionally for some large structures when the near-surface soil conditions are favorable or in the presence of shallow bedrock. Due to their cost and ease of construction, shallow foundations are far more prevalent than deep foundations. Examples of shallow foundations include spread footings and mat foundations. Deep foundations transfer some or all of the load to deeper soils and are considerably more expensive and complex than shallow foundation systems. Because the structural quality of soil usually improves with depth, deep foundations generally possess higher structural load capacities relative to shallow foundations. Hence, deep foundations typically are used when adverse near-surface soil conditions (i.e., soft clays, collapsible soils, and/or expansive soils) are encountered and structural load requirements are sufficiently large to warrant deep foundations, or when high lateral load capacity is needed. Examples of deep foundations include piles, drilled shafts, and caissons. Pole Foundation is a foundation system using wooden poles, partly buried in excavated holes, for both lateral and vertical support. Piles Foundation. Piles are slender, structural members, consisting of steel, concrete or timber. It is installed in the ground to transfer the structural loads to soils at some significant depth below the base of the structure. It is used when: (1) the soil near the surface doesnt have sufficient bearing capacity (weak) to support the structural loads, (2) if the estimated settlement of the soil exceeds tolerable limits, (3) if the differential settlement due to soil variability or non-uniform structural loads is excessive, and (4) if the excavations to construct a shallow foundation on a firm soil is difficult or expensive.

2 | SUPAT Caisson Foundation. A caisson is a prefabricated hollow box or timber. It is sunk into the ground to some desired depth and then filled with concrete thus forming a foundation. it is most often used in the construction of bridge piers and it he structures that require foundation beneath rivers and other bodies of water. This is because caissons can be floated to the job site and sunk into place. It it used when soil of adequate bearing strength is found below surface layers of weak materials such as fill or peat. Underpinning. Underpinning is the installation of temporary or permanent support to an existing foundation to provide either additional depth or an increase in bearing capacity. There are several existing conditions which may lead to the need for underpinning. They are Construction of a new project with a deeper foundation adjacent to an existing building Settlement of an existing structure Change in use of a structure Addition of a basement below an existing structure Settlement of existing structures in many cases is caused by lowering of the water table due to tidal fluctuations, wells for a water district, etc. This lowering of the water table can cause the tops of timber piles to decay over time and will require remedial underpinning. With certain soil profiles, rising of the water table can effect a decrease in bearing capacity of the soil causing settlement and require underpinning. Construction of structures on unsuitable bearing material or over compressible layer (peat, organic silts, or poorly compacted backfill) may cause settlement.

Footing. It is an enlargement of the bottom of a column/ bearing wall that spreads the applied structural loads over a sufficiently large soil area. Footings are structural members used to support columns and walls and to transmit their load to the underlying soils. It is the most common type of foundation used due to their low cost and ease of construction.

3 | SUPAT Types of Footing Strap Footing It consists of two isolated footings connected with a structural strap or a lever. The strap connects the footing such that they behave as one unit. The strap simply acts as a connecting beam. A strap footing is more economical than a combined footing when the allowable soil pressure is relatively high and distance between the columns is large. Spread Footing It is circular, square or rectangular slab of uniform thickness. Sometimes, it is stepped or haunched to spread the load over a larger area. When spread footing is provided to support an individual column, it is called Isolated footing Mats or raft Footing It is a large slab supporting a number of columns and walls under entire structure or a large part of the structure. A mat is required when the allowable soil pressure is low or where the columns and walls are so close that individual footings would overlap or nearly touch each other. Mat foundations are useful in reducing the differential settlements on non-homogeneous soils or where there is large variation in the loads on individual columns. Strip Footing A strip footing is another type of spread footing which is provided for a load bearing wall. A strip footing can also be provided for a row of columns which are so closely spaced that their spread footings overlap or nearly touch each other. In such a cases, it is more economical to provide a strip footing than to provide a number of spread footings in one line. A strip footing is also known as continuous footing. Combined Footing It supports two columns. It is used when the two columns are so close to each other that their individual footings would overlap. A combined footing is also provided when the property line is so close to one column that a spread footing would be eccentrically loaded when kept entirely within the property line. By combining it with that of an interior column, the load is evenly distributed. A combine footing may be rectangular or trapezoidal in plan. Trapezoidal footing is provided when the load on one of the columns is larger than the other column.

4 | SUPAT Column Footing In this type of foundation the base of the column is sufficiently enlarged to act as the individual support. The widened base not only provides stability but is useful in distributing the load on sufficient area of the soil. Column footings are usually used in the foundations of residences and buildings where the soil is hard enough has has sufficient bearing capacity.