Chapter 6: Foundations

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What method is commonly used to observe and measure soil qualities, water table, and frost line?

Test bores

Geotechnical surveys

Test wells

Test pits (correct)

Which of the following properties is NOT typically considered in assessing soil?

Density

Composition (correct)

Consistency

Texture

What do shallow foundations directly transfer to the soil?

Building weight (correct)

Frost line depth

Soil porosity

Water table level

Influential variables for the frost line depth include all of the following EXCEPT:

Building height Signup and view all the answers

What do strata refer to in terms of soil layers?

The different layers of rock or earth found above and below Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is matched to the loads supported above them in shallow foundations?

Wall footing Signup and view all the answers

What kind of structures use reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

Buildings with limited space Signup and view all the answers

'Strata' refers to which of the following in terms of soil assessment?

'Sheet-like layers of rock or earth' Signup and view all the answers

'Water table' in soil assessment refers to which of the following?

'Level of ground water saturation of subsurface materials' Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to determine soil properties, water table, and frost line?

Test pits Signup and view all the answers

What is a mat slab foundation?

A thick slab beneath the entire area of a building Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a wall footing in a building?

To distribute the weight of a wall on the bearing soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a column footing?

Supports a column Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pile foundations?

Support a load by transferring it through friction with the surrounding soil or contact with rock Signup and view all the answers

When is a mat slab foundation suitable for use?

When the load-bearing capacity of the soil is insufficient for heavy weights Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a grillage footing from other types of footings?

Consists of layers of beams placed at right angles to each other and encased in concrete Signup and view all the answers

In what situations are deep foundations typically used?

Where shallow foundations cannot be utilized Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of piers in foundation construction?

To transfer the weight of the structure to the ground Signup and view all the answers

What are caissons in foundation construction?

Method of construction for piers Signup and view all the answers

How do floating foundations distribute weight?

By ensuring the weight of soil removed equals the weight of the building Signup and view all the answers

What type of foundation walls are made of concrete and masonry?

Stone Signup and view all the answers

Which foundation wall type is most suitable for light frame construction?

Wood Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in foundation walls?

To provide insulation Signup and view all the answers

Settlement of a foundation can result in which of the following?

Distorted building frame Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of underpinning in relation to a foundation?

To strengthen an existing foundation permanently Signup and view all the answers

Which material is NOT typically used in the construction of foundation walls?

Steel Beams Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of shoring in construction?

To offer temporary support Signup and view all the answers

What may result from differential settlement of a foundation?

Significant misalignment of structural members Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using hollow foam blocks in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction?

To provide insulation and structural support Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common symptom of building settlement?

Sloped floors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using mat slab foundations?

To evenly distribute the weight of the entire building Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a wall footing?

A wide, thick area supporting the weight of a wall on the soil Signup and view all the answers

In foundation construction, what is the main function of piers?

To transfer the weight of the structure to the ground Signup and view all the answers

Why are timber piles still used in some cases for foundation support?

To transfer loads through friction with the surrounding soil Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a grillage footing from other types of footings?

It consists of layers of beams placed at right angles and encased in concrete Signup and view all the answers

What role do deep foundations play when shallow foundations cannot be used?

They penetrate soil directly under a building to reach stable layers that can support the weight Signup and view all the answers

How do floating foundations ensure stability for a building?

By equally distributing the weight below and above the bearing surface Signup and view all the answers

When are piles typically used in foundation construction?

To transfer loads through friction with the surrounding soil Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of post-and-pier foundations?

They consist of upright posts mounted to wedge-shaped concrete piers Signup and view all the answers

Why might caissons be mentioned in foundation construction?

To describe a method of construction for piers Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum depth that test pits can reach when assessing soil properties?

2.5 meters Signup and view all the answers

In foundation construction, what is the primary role of reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

To transmit the building's weight to the soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor influencing the common depth at which soil water freezes, known as the frost line?

Climate Signup and view all the answers

What do specialized footings in shallow foundations aim to match with the loads supported above them?

Building lateral forces Signup and view all the answers

What do test borings provide information on that test pits may not reach deep enough to observe?

Bearing capacity of soil Signup and view all the answers

Which factor influences the highest level of groundwater saturation in subsurface materials, known as the water table?

Season Signup and view all the answers

In foundation construction, what are shallow foundations primarily responsible for in relation to the building's weight?

Transmitting it directly to the soil Signup and view all the answers

What type of layer does 'stratum' refer to when describing rock or earth in soil layers?

'Strata' with different characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Which type of foundation walls may develop visible cracks over time but usually do not significantly affect their load-bearing ability?

Concrete and Mortared Masonry Signup and view all the answers

What kind of deformation is associated with 'heaving' in a building's structural elements?

Upward Signup and view all the answers

Which foundation wall type is usually found only in older buildings and may or may not include mortar in its construction?

Stone Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for underpinning an existing foundation?

Excessive settlement Signup and view all the answers

Which construction technique uses hollow foam blocks filled with concrete to create structural supports?

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the downward deformation of a building's structural elements?

Settlement Signup and view all the answers

'Shoring' in construction refers to which type of supports?

Temporary supports Signup and view all the answers

'Differential settlement' can result in significant misalignment of structural members due to which of the following?

'Footings of different sizes' Signup and view all the answers

How are Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) blocks used in foundation walls?

To create an insulated concrete form Signup and view all the answers

What is the main material used in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction?

Hollow foam blocks Signup and view all the answers

What do test pits provide information on that test borings may not reach deep enough to observe?

Soil strata and water table Signup and view all the answers

Which factor determines the depth of foundations?

Lateral forces Signup and view all the answers

What influences the common depth at which ground water in soil will freeze, known as the frost line?

Climate Signup and view all the answers

What do shallow foundations primarily transfer the weight of the building to?

Soil at the base of the building Signup and view all the answers

What do specialized types of footings in shallow foundations aim to match with the loads supported above them?

Loads supported above them Signup and view all the answers

Which type of foundation depth is influenced by lateral forces and building codes?

Deep foundations Signup and view all the answers

What influences the highest level of ground water saturation of subsurface materials?

Seasonal changes Signup and view all the answers

What do test borings provide information on regarding soil properties?

Soil bearing capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

Distributing pressure across a larger area Signup and view all the answers

What does water table refer to in relation to subsurface materials?

Highest level of groundwater saturation Signup and view all the answers

What type of foundation has a thick slab beneath the entire area of a building?

Simple slabs Signup and view all the answers

Which foundation type uses a system of upright posts mounted to wedge-shaped concrete piers for transferring the weight of the structure to the ground?

Piers Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of caissons in foundation construction?

Method of construction for piers Signup and view all the answers

In foundation construction, what distinguishes a mat slab foundation from a simple slab foundation?

Heavily reinforced with steel Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes wall footing from column footing in shallow foundations?

Wide and thick area for wall support Signup and view all the answers

What type of foundation is designed to transmit loads over a wider area similar to a column footing?

Grillage Footing Signup and view all the answers

When the load-bearing capacity of the soil is insufficient for heavy weights, what must be done with the footing?

Make the footing large enough to spread out the weight Signup and view all the answers

'Belled' piers are associated with which type of foundation elements?

'Post-and-pier' systems Signup and view all the answers

'Floating foundations' ensure stability by:

Maintaining the weight supported by each soil layer Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 'deep foundations' from 'shallow foundations'?

Penetrating layers to reach rock or stable soil for support. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between shoring and underpinning in construction?

Shoring refers to temporary supports, while underpinning refers to permanent supports Signup and view all the answers

Which foundation wall type may be found in older buildings and does not necessarily include mortar?

Stone Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of caissons in foundation construction?

To keep water out of an excavation for a pier Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom might indicate significant structural damage due to building settlement?

Distorted building frame Signup and view all the answers

What type of construction technique uses hollow foam blocks filled with concrete to form structural supports?

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction Signup and view all the answers

Chapter 6: Foundations

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Questions and Answers

What method is commonly used to observe and measure soil qualities, water table, and frost line?

Which of the following properties is NOT typically considered in assessing soil?

What do shallow foundations directly transfer to the soil?

Influential variables for the frost line depth include all of the following EXCEPT:

What do strata refer to in terms of soil layers?

Which of the following is matched to the loads supported above them in shallow foundations?

What kind of structures use reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

'Strata' refers to which of the following in terms of soil assessment?

'Water table' in soil assessment refers to which of the following?

What is one way to determine soil properties, water table, and frost line?

What is a mat slab foundation?

What is the purpose of a wall footing in a building?

What is the function of a column footing?

What is the purpose of pile foundations?

When is a mat slab foundation suitable for use?

What distinguishes a grillage footing from other types of footings?

In what situations are deep foundations typically used?

What is the function of piers in foundation construction?

What are caissons in foundation construction?

How do floating foundations distribute weight?

What type of foundation walls are made of concrete and masonry?

Which foundation wall type is most suitable for light frame construction?

What is the purpose of using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in foundation walls?

Settlement of a foundation can result in which of the following?

What is the role of underpinning in relation to a foundation?

Which material is NOT typically used in the construction of foundation walls?

What is the primary function of shoring in construction?

What may result from differential settlement of a foundation?

What is the primary purpose of using hollow foam blocks in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction?

Which of the following is a common symptom of building settlement?

What is the primary purpose of using mat slab foundations?

Which of the following best describes a wall footing?

In foundation construction, what is the main function of piers?

Why are timber piles still used in some cases for foundation support?

What distinguishes a grillage footing from other types of footings?

What role do deep foundations play when shallow foundations cannot be used?

How do floating foundations ensure stability for a building?

When are piles typically used in foundation construction?

What is a common characteristic of post-and-pier foundations?

Why might caissons be mentioned in foundation construction?

What is the maximum depth that test pits can reach when assessing soil properties?

In foundation construction, what is the primary role of reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

What is the main factor influencing the common depth at which soil water freezes, known as the frost line?

What do specialized footings in shallow foundations aim to match with the loads supported above them?

What do test borings provide information on that test pits may not reach deep enough to observe?

Which factor influences the highest level of groundwater saturation in subsurface materials, known as the water table?

In foundation construction, what are shallow foundations primarily responsible for in relation to the building's weight?

What type of layer does 'stratum' refer to when describing rock or earth in soil layers?

Which type of foundation walls may develop visible cracks over time but usually do not significantly affect their load-bearing ability?

What kind of deformation is associated with 'heaving' in a building's structural elements?

Which foundation wall type is usually found only in older buildings and may or may not include mortar in its construction?

What is the primary reason for underpinning an existing foundation?

Which construction technique uses hollow foam blocks filled with concrete to create structural supports?

What is the term used for the downward deformation of a building's structural elements?

'Shoring' in construction refers to which type of supports?

'Differential settlement' can result in significant misalignment of structural members due to which of the following?

How are Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) blocks used in foundation walls?

What is the main material used in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction?

What do test pits provide information on that test borings may not reach deep enough to observe?

Which factor determines the depth of foundations?

What influences the common depth at which ground water in soil will freeze, known as the frost line?

What do shallow foundations primarily transfer the weight of the building to?

What do specialized types of footings in shallow foundations aim to match with the loads supported above them?

Which type of foundation depth is influenced by lateral forces and building codes?

What influences the highest level of ground water saturation of subsurface materials?

What do test borings provide information on regarding soil properties?

What is the main function of reinforced concrete footings in shallow foundations?

What does water table refer to in relation to subsurface materials?

What type of foundation has a thick slab beneath the entire area of a building?

Which foundation type uses a system of upright posts mounted to wedge-shaped concrete piers for transferring the weight of the structure to the ground?

What is characteristic of caissons in foundation construction?

In foundation construction, what distinguishes a mat slab foundation from a simple slab foundation?

What distinguishes wall footing from column footing in shallow foundations?

What type of foundation is designed to transmit loads over a wider area similar to a column footing?

When the load-bearing capacity of the soil is insufficient for heavy weights, what must be done with the footing?

'Belled' piers are associated with which type of foundation elements?

'Floating foundations' ensure stability by: