Introduction to Foundation Engineering

A lecture note by Er.Kishor Thapa Page 1

Foundations are the substructure which transmits the structural load to the earth in such a way
that the supporting soil is not overstressed and not undergo deformations that would cause
excessive settlement of the structure.

Types of foundation
As per the depth of base of foundation level we can divide the foundations into two types:
Shallow foundations are used when the soil at shallow depth is sufficiently strong to withstand
the stresses that are likely to be imposed on it by the superstructure.
For such foundations, the ratio of the width of foundation (B) to depth of base level of foundation
(D
f
) is greater than or equal to unity.
Deep foundations are used when the soil at shallow depth is unable to safely support the sub-
structure and in this case the stresses originating from the substructure are carried deeper to soil
stratum that are stronger and can safely withstand the imposed stresses. Deep foundations are also
classified as per the depth criteria as if the ratio of width of foundation (B) to the depth of base of
foundation (D
f
) is less than unity.


Figure1.Wall footing Fig.2. Column footing


Foundation types
Shallow
foundation
Column
footing
Wall footing
Combined
footing
Strap
footing
Mat/Raft
Deep
foundation
Pile Well Piers
Introduction to Foundation Engineering

A lecture note by Er.Kishor Thapa Page 2






Figure.3.Combined footing Figure 4. Strip footing




Engineering process of foundation design
Site investigation
Field Testing
Sampling
Laboratory
testing
Idealise profile
& Problem
Analysis
Design
Construction
Introduction to Foundation Engineering

A lecture note by Er.Kishor Thapa Page 3

1) Dead loads: this type of load that include all the loads which are permanently acting to the
foundation such as beam, column, slab, partition walls and other services-decoration loads.
Foundation loads
2) Live loads: the movable or the load which are not permanent in nature to the structure falls in this
category. These loads are due to people, goods, furniture, equipment and machinery etc. Live
load is estimated as per the codal provision.
3) Earthquake load: the load due to earthquake may act vertically or laterally on a structure in any
direction. The worst condition should be anticipated.
4) Wind load: The loads by the wind on the exposed surface of the structure depend on the velocity
of the wind.
5) Snow load: this load due to snow fall on the roof of the structure on cold regions depends on the
magnitude of snow-fall and the type of the roof.
6) Lateral earth pressure: earth residing on the side of structure produces pressure on lateral
direction. This load generally falls on dead load category.
7) Water pressure: the pressure produced by the water on the structure is known as water pressure
which must be considered while calculating the load on structure.

1) Location and depth criteria
Requirements of good foundation
For a satisfactory performance, a foundation must satisfy three basic criterions:
As a geotechnical engineer, we can easily say that foundation should be placed at a depth where
the soil stratum is adequately safe for bearing capacity and settlement of the foundation.
Foundation must be placed below zone of volume change.
Foundation must be placed below the zone of frost heave.
Foundations for the structures in river have to be protected from the scouring action of
the flowing stream.
Underground utilities or defect may also affect the location and depth of foundation.
To avoid damage to an existing structure, the foundation for a new structure at an
adjacent site should be located such that there is no disturbance to the old one.
2) Shear failure criteria or bearing capacity failure criterion
The foundation must not overstress the soil beneath it. An adequate factor of safety is provided to
prevent bearing capacity failure. Generally a factor of safety ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 against
bearing capacity failure is used. Higher factor of safety is used in the case the soil is fine grained,
site has not been investigated thoroughly, the structure is of higher importance etc.

3) Settlement criteria
Uniform settlement causes much less problem than differential settlement. The main problems
associated with the uniform settlement if the settlement is within permissible limits are the
requirement of relocation of utility lines entering and leaving the structure, damage on aesthetic
beauty of the structure. On the other hand the differential settlement of the foundations leads to
distortion of the structure and finally may leads to failure of the structure.


Introduction to Foundation Engineering

A lecture note by Er.Kishor Thapa Page 4

The function of structure
Factors affecting the selection of foundation
The load the foundation carry
The subsurface conditions
Cost of foundation in comparison to the cost of superstructure
Constructability
Service life
Need of client
Type of super-structure
Environmental consideration
Risk level

1) Understanding the functional requirements of the superstructure and determining the loads that
are to be transmitted by the foundation
Procedure for selecting a foundation
Shallow foundations are more economical than deep foundations because they are constructed by the
same methods that are used for construction of superstructure. Being so all the foundations are not
shallow foundation because there are different factors which affect the selection of foundation such as
the load from superstructure, the bearing capacity of soil, the site conditions, material available in the
locality etc. To design a suitable foundation we have to first know about the load to be transmitted, the
existing ground condition and capacity of soil, the possible types of foundation, the performance of each
type and only then we can choose a best alternative among them.
This can be summarized in the following steps:
2) Undertaking the site investigation, determining the soil profile and properties, choosing design
parameters from field and laboratory test results
3) Selecting different alternative types of foundation and checking them if they are safe under the
site condition and loading condition. Eliminate the unsuitable types.
4) Making detailed design of alternative types of foundation. In this step the additional information
regarding the loads and subsurface condition may be required.
5) Preparing an estimate of the cost of each customary type of foundation and choosing the type
which gives most acceptable compromise between performance and cost. Recommending this.