Foundation Engineering Overview

Foundation engineering is a specialized area within geotechnical engineering. It involves applying principles of soil mechanics, structural engineering, and project requirements to design and construct foundations for various structures.

Coarse-grained soil is soil with particles larger than 0.075 mm. Examples include gravel and sand.

Fine-grained soil is soil with particles smaller than 0.075 mm. Examples include silt and clay.

Organic soil forms from the decomposition of plant matter in waterlogged environments. Peat is a common type of highly problematic organic soil.

Type A soil is cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tons per square foot or greater. Examples include clay, silty clay, sandy clay, and clay loam.

Type B soil is cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength between 0.5 and 1.5 tons per square foot. Examples include angular gravel, silt, and silt loam.

Type C soil is cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tons per square foot or less. Examples include granular soils like gravel, sand, loamy sand, and submerged soil.

An auger is used for drilling in minor depths through loose rock when installing auger piles. Auger drilling helps balance the load of a construction project.

A triaxial test apparatus is used to assess material strength, deformation, and stability. It's essential for critical infrastructure design and safety analysis.

A pH meter measures the hydrogen ion activity in solutions, which indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

A consolidation test determines the rate and magnitude of soil consolidation when the soil is laterally restricted and loaded axially. It's used to understand how soil compacts under pressure.

Soil grinders are laboratory tools that reduce soil agglomerations into individual grains, making analysis more accurate and efficient.

The direct shear test involves applying pressure and shear to a soil prism to determine its shear strength and behavior under load.

The liquid limit device determines the water content at which clay soil transitions from a plastic to a liquid state.

A compression proving ring is a device used to measure force. It consists of an elastic ring with a measuring device in the center.

Cohesive soil has an attraction between particles, making it stick together. Examples include silts and clays.

Soft soil refers to clay with high water content, high compressibility, and low bearing capacity. It is difficult to build on due to its unstable nature.

Soil investigation or geotechnical investigation is a process done to determine the composition and properties of the soil underneath the construction site to ensure a safe and stable foundation.

Shallow foundations are typically up to 2 meters deep and distribute loads over a larger area. Examples include spread footings, strip footings, and slabs on grade.

Spread footing is a type of foundation used to support individual columns or isolated loads. It distributes the load over a larger area to reduce pressure on the soil.

A strip footing is used to distribute the weight of a load-bearing wall over a floor area. It's a continuous concrete strip that supports a wall.

A mat or raft foundation is a continuous slab that covers the entire building footprint, distributing the load over a large area. It's used when soil conditions are poor.

A slab-on-grade foundation is a concrete slab poured directly on the ground. It's commonly used for single-story buildings.

A column footing is a square or rectangular base that supports a column. It distributes the load from the column to the soil below.

A cantilever or strap footing is a combined footing where a strap beam connects the foundation of two columns. It's used when columns are close together.

Deep foundations are embedded deeper into the ground, typically reaching stronger soil layers or bedrock. They are used for larger structures or when soil conditions are poor.

Load-bearing capacity refers to the maximum weight a structure or foundation can safely support without failure. It's a critical factor in foundation design.

Settlement is the gradual sinking or movement of a building's foundation over time, caused by the weight of the structure and soil compression. It can affect the stability of a building.

Foundation design considers factors like foundation type, depth, soil bearing capacity, soil type, frost protection, and load transfer to ensure a stable and safe structure.

Foundation construction techniques involve digging, compacting, transporting, and assembling materials to build foundations.

In earthquake-prone areas, foundation design must account for dynamic loading and soil liquefaction to prevent structural damage.

Modern foundation engineering prioritizes sustainability by minimizing environmental impact and using energy-efficient and recyclable materials.

Steel rebar is a steel mesh or bar used to reinforce concrete and masonry structures, increasing their tensile strength and preventing cracking.

Concrete encasement protects steel rebar from corrosion by providing adequate concrete cover. It's essential for maintaining structural integrity.

The positioning of rebar is crucial for structural integrity. It influences the load-bearing capacity of concrete structures.

There are manual and mechanical methods for rebar placement. Manual methods involve manually placing rebar with chairs, while mechanical methods use machines for faster installation.

Bar spacing refers to the distance between rebar in a concrete structure. It's important for ensuring even distribution of stress and preventing cracks.

Bar supports are used to hold rebar in the correct position during concrete placement. They come in various materials and types depending on the project requirements.

Concrete placement involves pouring concrete carefully around rebar, avoiding hooking or pulling, to ensure rebar is properly embedded.

Bar tying involves securing rebar in place using wire ties. There are different types of ties, such as snap ties and saddle ties, depending on the rebar configuration.