CENG 302: Construction Engineering Chapter 3 - Foundations

The primary function of a foundation is to provide aesthetic appeal to a building.

The selection of a foundation type is solely based on the bearing capacity failure.

A shallow foundation is constructed where the soil layer at a deep depth is able to support the structural loads.

The foundation must be designed with sufficient strength to support the applied superstructure loads.

The foundation must settle to a certain extent to ensure the stability of the building.

There are three categories of foundations: shallow, deep, and intermediate.

Piles are usually made of materials such as steel, wood, and glass.

The pile head is the lower part of the pile.

End Bearing Piles are those which do not reach an impenetrable stratum.

Shallow foundations are typically constructed below $5m$ of the ground level.

Friction Piles derive their carrying capacity from the resistance of the stratum at the toe of the pile.

Some piles can be designed to utilize both skin resistance and end bearing to carry the applied load.

Raft foundations are a type of deep foundation.

Displacement Piles are those which do not displace the soil during installation.

Spread footings are also known as isolated pad footings.

Pile foundations are used when suitable foundation conditions are present at or near ground level.

Micro-piles are a type of shallow foundation.

Combined footings are used to transfer loads to underlying competent soils or to hard strata.

Steel piles are a type of non-displacement piles.

Bored piles are formed by driving a precast pile into the ground.

Tube piles are used for large-scale construction projects.

Piers are a type of shallow foundation system.

Pile testing is a process used to construct retaining walls.

Retaining walls are used to resist lateral earth pressures.