TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS

DEEP
FOUNDATION
-Required when the bearing
capacity of the surface soils
is insufficient to support
loads
imposed
and
transferred to deeper layers
with higher bearing capacity.
Depth> 3m

SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
-

A shallow foundation distributes loads from the building into the upper layers of the ground.
Shallow foundations perform very well on sites with strong soils, sufficiently thick natural gravel rafts overlying
weaker soils or where robust, engineered ground improvement is carried out.

Pile Foundation

Strip

Trench

Pad Foundation Raft Foundation

Relatively long and slender

members constructed by driving
preformed units to the desired
founding level.
Distribute
the
load
of
superstructure into the ground
vertically rather than laterally.
Suitable for superstructure
and high rise buildings
Exp: Hotel or apartments

Foundation

Foundation

Runs continuously under

the walls of the building,
footings,courses,hardcore
and concrete slab.

Used when soil is loose or

in areas with a high water
table.

-Supports localised singlepoint loads and used to

support ground beams
-Should not be less than
150mm

Cover the area beneath the

building and often extended
beyond the external walls,
forming a protective apron
around the base of the
building

Suitable for low rise

structures.
Max- 4 storey high
Exp: Dwelling House

Must only be used in

stable ground, where the
trench sides are firm and
capable of bearing loads.

Ideal foundation choice to

support
light
weight
buildings
Exp: 3/4 stories high

-Able to withstand heavy weight

-Allow use of land unsuitable for
traditional foundations
-Economic
when
bearing
stratum is deep
-No excavation required.
-Excessive settlement occurs
which causes crack lines
-Vibration
could
affect
neighbouring properties
- Can cause ground heave

-Has cheap and familiar

technology
-Dont need specialised
plant
- Little excavation needed.

-Reduces cost, time, labor

and the need for cement
and rebar.
-Speed up construction of
the footing

Suitable for structures

which are formed with
steel members or where
the weight is carried by
columns
-Relatively cheap and easy
to construct
-Most economic as has the
shape of a square
-Requires little excavation

-Requires formwork in noncohesive soils.

-Not ideal for framed
construction
-Limited load carrying ability

high level of the concrete

can create problems for
drainage and services
entering the building

-Pads are very shallow and

can be easily uprooted
-Weak against uplift forces,
wind forces and earthquake
forces.

-Economic as it combines
foundation and floor slab.
-saves time and materials
-Less excavation is required
- Can cope with poor/mixed
ground conditions.
-Expensive and require
reinforcement to be designed
- Weak when supporting
point
loads, specific treatment

due to foundation depths

and design

Expensive

Cheap

required.

Cheap

Cheap

Expensive