Golden Gate Colleges

Graduate School

Batangas City

Master of Arts in Education -TLE Teaching

TLE 505: Industrial Arts

By:

Recilyn R. Ilao

Dr. LORNA U. DINGLASAN

Professor

March 05, 2022- March 12, 2022

 Foundations in Constructions
“You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation”
- Gordon B. Hinckley
Coverage:
I. Purpose of foundation
II. Foundation Design Considerations
III. Types of Foundation
IV. Common House Foundations
V. Steps in Building House Foundation

Definition
 Foundation is one of the essential parts of the structure.
 Part of the structure that transfers the load from the structure constructed on it as well as
its weight over a large area of soil in such a way that the amount does not exceed the
ultimate bearing capacity of the soil and the settlement of the whole structure remains
within a tolerable limit.
 Foundation is the part of a structure on which the building stands. The solid ground on
which it rests is known as foundation bed.

I. Purpose of foundation
The main purpose of a foundation is to hold up and hold together the structure above it.
A properly-built foundation increases the amount of abuse a house structure can take and
remain safe for the people inside it.

Here are the 3 main purposes of foundations in construction.

1. Load Bearing
House foundation must bear the dead and live loads of the house superstructure built on
top of it. The "dead" load is the constant weight of the house structure itself – it is "dead"
because it never changes. The "live" load is the changing weights of contents and people, and
in cold locations the live load includes the weight of snow on the roof. It must be fairly rigid in
order to transmit the weight of the building into the ground without being seriously compromised
itself.

2. Anchor Against Natural Forces

Once a house is built it tends to hold together like a box, especially a modern stick-built
house. If it is not anchored to a foundation it can be broken apart or washed away completely by
natural forces like earthquakes, wind or tornado, frost-heave, floods or tsunamis. Since a
foundation is by definition built into the ground it is much less likely to be swept away. Because
foundations are built out of solid dense materials like concrete or stone they resist shaking
better than a house superstructure. A house which is bolted to its foundation will retain its
structure better and be less likely to be swept away in a natural disaster.
 A seismic retrofit bolts - is a good investment in places where earthquakes, strong winds
or floods.

3. Prevent Ground Moisture Rising

The foundation helps to prevent or to minimize cracks due to moisture movement in
case of weak soils or soils with low bearing capacity.
In areas where there is a lot of ground moisture and houses are built of wood, there is a
significant problem with rot in any posts in contact with the ground.
A box foundation with concrete slab can be sealed to keep water out -- this protects the
house from dampness as well as providing extra useful space.

Additional Functions:
 It provides lateral stability to the structure. Thus there is little chances of structural failure
of structures, making it more durable in adverse conditions.
 To distribute the weight of the structure over a large area in order to avoid overloading
the underlying soil (possibly causing unequal settlement).
 Foundation provides safety to the structure from the effects of undermining and scouring
due to the animals, flood water etc.

II. Foundation Design Considerations

If you’re considering building a house or even an apartment complex, you are probably
not even thinking about the foundation. If you’re the constructor, however, chances are that the
foundation is one of the first headaches you’ll be suffering when you accept a new job. Here are
some of the basic considerations in choosing foundation designs and building foundations.

1. Waterlogged ground
Building in a waterlogged area is not the best choice. However, if it can’t be helped, you
need to be aware of the dangers it represents. As water seeps into the foundation, the
foundation gets weaker. In the worst case scenario, the building will eventually collapse,
endangering everyone in and in near proximity to it, and cause huge financial losses.
The following problems will occur due to the water logging in foundation pit:
 Difficult to further excavate further deep
 Difficult to remove excavated earth
 Collapse of earth from the sides of pit
 Excess and continuous water will increase w/c ratio and will make concrete weaker
or even useless
 Difficult to work
 Mud will enter, pit, mortar or concrete
 Safety of worker

When Surface Water is Encountered

 Surface water is not the major issue. Surface water logging can be easily drained out by
providing a marginal slope to the ground.

When Ground Water is Encountered

If the water table falls within the depth of excavation, the depth of the foundation may be
decreased up to the top level of water table, and the size of foundation should be increased. But
minimum depth of foundation should be provided or foundation should be rested on good soil.
By doing this you can avoid water logging.

2. Soil conditions
Different types of soil can make or break your foundation. For example, loam, rock and
sand or gravel make up for good, foundation-friendly soil. On the other hand, peat, clay, or silt
are bad options because they tend to change their structure of shift, which can cause cracks in
the foundation, which in turn weakens the whole structure. Again, it’s not impossible to build on
these types of soil, but it does require extra effort.

3. Erosion of the ground

Soil erosion generally occurs when there is an excessive amount of rainwater or
groundwater from different sources washing away the soil. If the top layer of the ground
disappears, the retention of water in the remaining soil is made much more difficult. That means
that the will get dry and wet more easily, which will mess with the structure and cause shifts,
which can damage the foundation. Because of that, erosion needs to be taken into account
when designing the foundation.

4. Effects and after-effects of construction

Construction itself has an effect on the ground. For example, vibrations from the piling,
or changes made in excavation can cause changes in the soil itself. Even if you start with good,
solid ground for your foundation, it may not stay like that until the end of works. After-effects are
important as well.
Consider the area carefully.
 Are there trees whose roots can mess up with the foundation?
 Is there a scheduled re-routing of a highway, or anything similar?

5. Cost and speed

One of the biggest problems with building a foundation is that it can eat away at your
time and money.
Since there are so many issues to be found in the soil, problems that can emerge in the middle
of the works, and additional materials and machines that you may have to use, the cost and
speed of making a foundation is difficult to predict.
This problem can be more or less avoided by using reliable and experienced
contractors.
6. The effect of construction of the adjoining structures
One of the biggest problems with The effect of construction on the adjoining structures. If
your works threaten the surrounding buildings, you may be held accountable, and you can be
prosecuted.

Other considerations in choosing foundation design.

 Importance of the Building
 Life of the Structure
 Loads from superstructure
 Type of construction materials to be used
 Type of adjoining structure
 Location of building

Conclusion: A badly made foundation makes the building unsafe for the residents and the
environment, so make sure you go through all the issues that can arise before you even start
the works

III. Types of Foundation

In general, all foundations are divided into two categories, - shallow and deep
foundations. Generally, if the width of the foundation is greater than the depth, it is labeled as
the “Shallow Foundation”. If the width is smaller than the depth of the foundation it is called as
“Deep Foundation.” However, deep foundation and shallow foundation can be further
classified as shown in the following chart.

III. a Shallow Foundations

 Usually located no more than 6 ft. below the lowest finished floor. As the shallow
foundation depth is low and it is economical, it is the most popular type of foundation for
lightweight structures.
A shallow foundation system generally used when:
 the soil close the ground surface has sufficient bearing capacity.
 underlying weaker strata do not result in undue settlement.

Advantages of Shallow Foundations

 These are the simplest form of foundation which is used to uniformly transfer loads from
the superstructure to the subsoil below it.
 In the case of a shallow foundation, the water table exists at a considerable depth, so
there are very little chances of foundation to encounter water table, thus saving the close
of application of different waterproofing techniques to the foundation.
 Compared to other types of foundation, the design for this type of foundation can be
quickly done, thus saving time & cost.

Types of Shallow Foundations

Footings - are structural elements, which transfer loads to the soil from columns, walls
or lateral loads from earth retaining structures.
In order to transfer these loads properly to the soil, footings must be design to
• Prevent excessive settlement
• Minimize differential settlement
• Provide adequate safety against overturning and sliding

1. Isolated spread footings

Comprises a footing directly at the base of the
segment/column. Generally, every section has its footing.
They straightforwardly transfer the loads from the column
to the soil. It might be rectangular, square, or roundabout.

To decide when to use shallow foundations, it is

necessary to know when it is economical. It is economical
when:
 The load of the structure is relatively low.
 Column s are not closely placed.
 The bearing capacity of the soil is high at a shallow depth.

The followings are the types of spread footing.

1. Single pad footing.
2. Stepped footing for a column.
3. Sloped footing for a column.
 4. Wall footing without step.
5. Stepped footing for walls.
6. Grillage foundation.

2. Wall footing
Is also known as continuous footing. This type
is used to distribute loads of structural or non-
structural load-bearing walls to the ground in such a
way that the load-bearing limit of the soil isn't
outperformed. It runs along the direction of the wall.
The width of the wall foundation is usually 2-3 times
the width of the wall.

Wall footing is economical when:

 Loads to be transmitted are of small magnitude.
 It is placed on dense sand and gravel.

3. Combined Footing
The combined footing is very similar to the isolated footing. When
the columns of the structure are carefully placed, or the bearing capacity of
the soil is low and their footing overlap each other, combined footing is
provided.

The main objective is the uniform distribution of loads under the entire area
of footing.
 Rectangular footing (used when the loads
on the two columns are same)
 Trapezoidal Footing (used when the
columns carry unequal loads).

Combined foundations are economic when:

 The columns are placed close to each
other.
 When the column is close to the property
line and the isolated footing would cross
the property line or become eccentric.

3. Cantilever or strap footings

 Strap footings are similar to
combined footings. Reasons for
considering or choosing strap footing
are identical to the combined one.
Generally, when the edge of the footing
cannot be extended beyond the
property line, the exterior footing is
connected by a strap beam with interior
footing.

5. Raft or Mat Foundation

This is a large continuous footing supporting all the columns
of the structure. This is used when soil conditions are poor but piles
are not used. Raft or Mat foundations are used where other shallow
or pile foundations are not suitable.
Raft foundation consists of a reinforced concrete slab or T-
beam slab placed over the entire area of the structure. In this type,
the whole basement floor slab acts as the foundation. The total
load of the structure is spread evenly over the entire area of the
structure. This is called raft because, in this case, the building
seems like a vessel that floats on a sea of soil.

Raft foundations are economic when:

• The soil is weak and the load has to be spread over
a large area.
• The structure includes a basement.
• Columns are closely placed.
• Other kinds of foundations are not feasible.
Differential settlement is to be prevented.

III. b Deep Foundations

These types of foundation are suitable where
the hard stratum does not exist 3 meters from the
ground surface. As the name indicates, the height of the
deep foundations is much greater than it’s the width.

Advantages of Deep Foundation

 Deep foundation can be used at places where is soil is
only strong enough to withstand intense loads, thus
this type of foundation is suitable for all places.
 A deep foundation is the only type of foundation which can be used at places where the
water table prevails at a lower depth from the ground surface.
 For the construction of marine and advanced structures, a deep foundation is used, due to
the high stability it provides to structures from the effects of settlements and overturning.

Disadvantage of Deep Foundation

 One major drawback of Deep foundation is that the design procedure is complex, thus it
needs more time & money to spend in it.

Types of Shallow Foundations

1. Pile foundation
Pile is a common type of deep foundation. They are used to
reduce cost, and when as per soil condition considerations, it is
desirable to transmit loads to soil strata which are beyond the reach
of shallow foundations.
Pile is a slender member with a small cross-sectional area
compared to its length. It is used to transmit foundation loads to a
deeper soil or rock strata when the bearing capacity of soil near the
surface is relatively low. Pile transmits load either by skin friction or
bearing. Piles are also used to resist structures against uplift and
provide structures stability against lateral and overturning forces.

The followings are the types of pile foundations.

Based on Function or Use

 Sheet Piles
 Load Bearing Piles
 End Bearing Piles
 Friction Piles
 Soil Compactor Piles
Based on Materials and Construction Method

 Timber Piles
 Concrete Piles
 Steel Piles
 Composite Pile
Pile foundations are economic when:
 Soil with great bearing capacity is
at a greater depth.
 When there are chances of
construction of irrigation canals in
the nearby area.
 When it is very expensive to
provide raft or grillage.
 When the foundation is subjected
to a heavily concentrated load.
 In marshy places (waterlogged)
 When the topsoil layer is compressible in nature.

2. Pier foundation
Pier is an underground structure that transmits a more massive load, which cannot be
carried by shallow foundations. It is usually shallower than piles. The pier foundation is generally
utilized in multi-story structures. Since the base region is determined by the plan strategy for the
regular establishment, the single pier load test is wiped out.
Along these lines, it is increasingly well known under tight
conditions.
Pier foundation is a cylindrical structural member that
transfer heavy load from superstructure to the soil by end
bearing. Unlike piles, it can only transfer load by bearing and by
not skin friction.

Pier Foundation is economic when:

 Sound rock strata lie under a decomposed rock layer at the top.
 The topsoil is stiff clay which resists driving the bearing pile.
 When a heavy load is to be transferred to the soil.

IV. Common House Foundations

A house foundation is the load-bearing portion of the structure, typically built below
ground. The foundation you choose boils down to personal preference and budget.
1. Full basement
Consist of a deep hole of 8ft or more
into the ground with footings placed below
the frost depth and walls to encase a 4-inch-
thick concrete slab.

Best for:
 Homeowners who wanted to expand
out and own rather than up.

Advantages
 Cheap square footage- Arguably the greatest advantage to a basement foundation is
the additional square-footage gained — and at a much lower cost per square foot than
other parts of the home.
 Seasonal Living Space- Great for smaller-footprint homes, the addition of a finished
basement creates energy-efficient living spaces that pair well with changing seasons,
staying warm in winter and cool in summer.
 Easy-Access for Repairs- It goes without saying that it’s easier (and cheaper) for
technicians to make repairs to your home’s utilities standing up rather than crawling in a
crawl space or digging into a slab.
 Storm Protection- For both you, the residents, as well as your home. Basements make
great shelters from the worst mother nature can throw at you, while still providing a solid
anchor for your home.

Disadvantages
 Increased Foundation Cost: A basement is understandably the most expensive
foundation-type of the three mentioned here — more so if you choose to finish that
space. Even then, that finished basement square footage will most likely be the least
expensive in your entire home.
 Potential Flooding: Without a sump pump, you may end up with a flooded basement. To
combat (and virtually eliminate the threat of) flooding, we recommend battery backup,
generators or water-flow backups. In all cases, though, the best scenario to prevent
potential flooding is ensuring a natural path for drainage.
 Lack of Natural Light: If you’re converting your basement into a living space, and it’s not
a walkout, you might have to find creative ways of bringing some light into the space.
2. Crawl Space
Homes with a crawl space foundation are
elevated a few feet off the ground. Like a slab, a
footing is poured, then blocks are laid to create the
foundation to support the walls of the structure.
Building a crawl space foundation will save on cost
compared to a basement, but not necessarily time,
as they take about as much time to build as a full
basement foundation.

Best for:
 Homeowners who want a bit of additional
storage spaces under their home and easy
access to utilities.

Advantages
 Accessible Utilities. Resolving the slab’s biggest drawback, a crawl space facilitates
easier access to your home’s wiring, piping, and ductwork, making for easy repairs and
future upgrades.
 Warmer Floors. Unlike a slab foundation, the first floor of a home built on a crawl space
won’t feel like it’s built on concrete. In fact, the floors tend to be warmer because crawl
space is conditioned.

Disadvantages
 Prone to Moisture: Even with the installation of cutting-edge vapor barriers, it is still
possible for crawl spaces to support the growth of mold and fungi. You’ll want to keep an
eye on your crawl space for this reason.
 Little Protection from Storms: Like slab foundations, crawl spaces offer the structure of
your home little-to-no protection from inclement weather.

3. Concrete Slab
 Built directly onto the soil and do not include any below-ground storage. Gravel is
typically spread across the area before the 4-6 inches concrete slab and supports.

Best for:
 Homeowners who are building on stable land. It is also a low-cost option and easy to
install.

Advantages
 Price. Generally, slab foundations are your cheapest option when it comes to
foundations, an excellent choice if budget is front-of-mind.
 Low Maintenance. Of all foundation-types, slabs require the least amount of
maintenance, adding to their pricing value.

Disadvantages
 Potentially Expensive Repairs. Plumbing systems are buried BELOW the slab, making
foundation repair costly as you’ll have to first break through the concrete slab to reach
the piping.
 Bad Weather: Slabs offer minimal protection to your home from storms and other
inclement weather events.

V. Steps in Building House Foundation

5 main steps in building house foundation:
1. Cleaning the ground
 Determine the soil conditions
 Clear the area of boulders, sticks and etc.
2. Preparing the area
 Dig area 2x the depth your foundation.
 Level and compact the soil
 Add gravel/sand to keep moisture at bay
 3. Building the frame
 Create a wood outline of your foundation’s dimensions.
 Put screed rails on both sides
 Lay a straightedge across the frame, resting on the rails.
 Add supports to rails so they stay in place after concrete pouring
 Place it so the bottom of the straightedge is level where the slab’s top will be
placed.
4. Mixing and pouring the concrete
 Fill your container of choice with water and concrete).
 Pour into the foundation frame as it fills, slide the straightedge across to level it
out.
 Once the concrete is level and excess is removed, take off the rails and
straightedge.
5. Finishing touches
 Remove flaws using a trowel while the concrete is still wet
 Allow the foundation to dry and cure

7 Steps for building Strong Foundation of your Home

Step 1. Site selection is the first important step to build a strong foundation. At first,
finalize the plot area based on your requirement, location of the plot, ground condition of the plot
(not prone to frequent water logging). Make sure to investigate soil condition of your land parcel.
Many times it requires special foundation/treatment as the soil may not have desired load
carrying capacity or may have some adverse properties that can weaken the building foundation
in the long term. In this scenario, you need to consult with a Geo-technical Consultant /
Structural Engineer for the right solution to your building foundation.

Step 2. Excavation work is the next important step to build the foundation of your home.
You need to carry out proper surveying of your land to obtain a layout plan on the ground based
on the approved drawing. Mark all pillars, trench excavation lines with respect to the center lines
of walls. Ensure that excavation is done by the Contractor as much as it needed and true to
levels, alignment, shape and size. In this context, you may appoint a Contractor for carrying out
the excavation of Foundation of your building after checking his credential of the similar works.

Step 3. Anti-termite treatment is an important step to protect your building and

foundation from the termite attack. The soil around the foundation needs to be treated up to the
plinth level with appropriate chemicals. The anti-termite treatment being a specialized job should
be executed through a specialized agency only. The specialized agency should be a member of
Indian Pest Control Association.
 Step 4. The next important step of your building foundation is compaction of the
excavated soil top layer and providing a layer of Brick flat soling on top of it. Thereafter, laying a
thin layer (50 to 75 mm thickness) of lean concrete of size at least 6 inches more than the
footing size. This step will provide your building foundation on a firm and flat level base for
laying RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) work of the Footing and hold the moisture content of
footing concrete without any soil soaking.

Step 5. The next step of your building foundation is the Wooden Formwork. The
Formwork should be made as per the size of the Footing and sufficiently rigid so that there
should not be any displacement while placing reinforcement bars and laying & compacting of
the concrete. The gap between the Formwork to be sealed properly to prevent any loss of slurry
from the concrete.

Step 6. The next important step of your building foundation is the Reinforcement Steel
(Rebar) work. An entire part of West Bengal comes under Earthquake Zone 3 and above, use
500D TMT Rebar (preferably from Integrated Steel Plant) for your building foundation. Cutting &
bending of rebar to be done as per the bar bending schedule of the Footing to avoid wastage of
steel materials. The placing and fixing of Rebar to be done properly with adequate concrete
cover blocks to avoid any displacement of Rebar while pouring the concrete.

Step 7. The final important step of your Building Foundation is the pouring of concrete
into the Footing. The concrete should be as per the approved design grade. For the quality
check, workability of the concrete to be checked periodically during the process of concreting
work and take concrete test cubes of required numbers to check the crushing strength of the
test cubes at 7 days and 28 days respectively. The concrete should be compacted well into
place and cured adequately. Curing should start early and should be continued for sufficient
period to ensure that it develops the desired strength and does not crack.

All these 7 steps are essential for building a strong foundation of your home. Getting the
foundation of your home right is incredibly important. Any mistakes you make in the foundation
can’t be changed in an entire lifespan of your home.

Resources:
 https://civiltoday.com/geotechnical-engineering/foundation-engineering/161-types-of-
foundation
 http://people.tamu.edu
 https://civiljungle.com
 https://www.hunker.com/13402461/purpose-of-a-building-foundation
 https://constructionreviewonline.com/management/6-factors-to-consider-when-
designing-a-foundation/
 https://www.reinbrechthomes.com/blog/3-most-common-house-foundations-the-pros-
cons/
 https://gharpedia.com/blog/foundation-if-water-is-present/
 https://civiconcepts.com/blog/best-foundation-for-house
 https://shyamsteel.com/blogs/home-building-foundation-steps/