Foundations
Definition of Foundation
• The supporting portion of a structure located below the structure and supported only by soil or rock.
• The purpose of a foundation is to support the structure and distribute the weight of that structure so it settles to the ground evenly rather than unevenly.
What do these 3 Images have in common?
Thegreenelephant.us
www.sl.nsw.gov.au
A STRONG FOOTING• The footing is one major part of the foundation. • Transfers the weight of the building to the earth below• How much soil will settle beneath?• How much weight will go on top?– A house spanning 28’x40’ can weigh 58 tons
• The larger the building, the deeper the foundation penetrates through the weaker soil on the surface to the more stable soils or bedrock beneath.
• A Strong Footing is like an Anchor for walls, holding the stucture down and keeping it stable especially during:– Earthquakes– Strong Wind
www.kpokorny.com
Quick Assignment
• Build a block wall.• Can you tip it over?• Give it a strong footing.• Compare & Contrast.
Point Footings• Pier Foundation• Columns & Beams• Building structure lifted off ground• Minimum ground disturbance• Floor plane is insulated
Pier Foundation
www.timesunion.com
Point / Pier Foundation
http://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2013/02/38199/new-suffolk-home-rises-anew-after-hurricane-sandy/
Pier Foundation
http://www.treehugger.com/culture/visiting-construct-canada-2007.html
Historic 100 Year Old Structure-Weak soil 20 feet below due to neighboring oil tank failure-
Pile Driver & CraneTemporary beams are drivenDown 38 feet tosupport theIntegrity of the surrounding soil while they perform the soil and groundwater remediation excavation.
http://www.fabco-nj.com/Current_Project_.html
docs.bentley.com
www.atlaspiers.com http://www.oas.org/
Line Wall Foundation• Basement Wall Foundation• Bearing wall• Continuous wall footing= foundation wall• Walls below grade structured to resist earth’s
pressure
www.ukplanservice.co.uk
www.hankeyandbrown.com
Basement Wall Foundation
www.foundationrepairca.com
Line Wall Foundation• Perimeter Wall Foundation• Bearing Wall• Used for crawl space construction• Minimal earth pressure• Most Common Type = T Foundation
Crawl Space
seattle.cbslocal.com
www.aetv.com
www.batticdoor.com
activerain.com
www.grit.com
Foundation with Crawl Space
remodeling-projects.com
PLANE• Ground Slab Foundation• Horizontal Slab• Requires stable & compacted soil• Most common foundation in SoCal is Slab on Grade• Inexpensive• Used when:– Land is flat– No basement is required– Temperatures aren’t below freezing
Slab on Grade
Assignment
• Pick out a foundation for your wall design• Refer to p. 239 in text book• Draft a detail on paper and using ACAD
Retaining Walls
L Type
T Type
Cantilever Type
Mass Type