Piling Building Foundation Q1 - Estate Agent's Examination Part 1&2

Q.
a) Explain the procedures or steps in designing the building foundation. (10 marks)

b) Using sketches, show the types of shallow foundation and describe the soil conditions and types of building structures where it is specifically used. (15 marks)

(25 marks, 2012 Q1)

A.
A good reference site is here, by Teach Engineering contributed by College of Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder.

Foundation

Foundation is the part of structure below plinth level up to the soil. It is in direct contact of soil and transmits load of super structure to soil. Generally it is below the ground level. If some part of foundation is above ground level, it is also covered with earth filling. This portion of structure is not in contact of air, light etc, or to say that it is the hidden part of the structure.

Precautions when piling for building foundation is in another post here.

Depth of Foundation

Depth of foundation depends on following factors.

1. Availability of adequate bearing capacity

2. Depth of shrinkage and swelling in case of clayey soils, due to seasonal changes which may cause appreciable movements.

3. Depth of frost penetration in case of fine sand and silt.

4. Possibility of excavation close by

5. Depth of ground water table

6. Practical minimum depth of foundation should not be less than 50 cm. to allow removal of top soil and variations in ground level.

7. Hence the best recommended depth of foundation is from 1.00 meter to 1.5 meter from original ground level.

Footing

Footing is a structure constructed in brick work, masonry or concrete under the base of a wall or column for distributing the load over a large area.

Width of Foundation/Footings

The width of footings should be laid according to structural design. For light loaded buildings such as houses, flats, school buildings etc having not more than two storeys, the width of foundation is given below.

1. The width of footing should not be less than 75 cm for one brick thick wall.

2. The width of footing should not be less than 1 meter for one and half brick wall.

Different Processes in Foundation Work

The processes executed in the foundation works are given below.

1. Excavation of earth work in trenches for foundation.
2. Laying out cement concrete.
3. Laying the footing in case of raft or column construction.
4. Laying Anti termite treatment.
5. Laying Brick work up to plinth level.
6. Laying Damp proof course on the walls.
7. Refilling of earth around the walls
8. Refilling of earth in the building portion up to the required height according to plinth level.

Foundation of building-filling of foundation

Ref:
http://www.gharexpert.com/articles/Foundation-1511/Designing-a-Foundation_0.aspx