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Home/ Geotechnical Engineering / Foundation Engineering / Construction of Foundation – Depth, Width, Layout
and Excavation
Procedure for construction of foundation starts with decision on its depth, width
and marking layout for excavation and centerline of foundation. Foundation is the
part of structure below plinth level in direct contact of soil and transmits load of
super structure to soil. Generally it is below the ground level. If some part of
foundation is above ground level, it is also covered with earth filling. This portion
of structure is not in contact of air, light etc., or to say that it is the hidden part of
the structure.
Depth of Foundation
Depth of foundation depends on following factors:
2. Depth of shrinkage and swelling in case of clayey soils, due to seasonal changes which may cause
appreciable movements.
6. Practical minimum depth of foundation should not be less than 50 cm. to allow removal of top soil
and variations in ground level.
Hence the best recommended depth of foundation is from 1.00 meter to 1.5
meter from original ground level.
Width of Foundation / Footings
The width of footings should be laid according to structural design. For light
loaded buildings such as houses, flats, school buildings etc. having not more
than two storeys, the width of foundation is given below:
1. The width of footing should not be less than 75 cm for one brick thick wall.
2. The width of footing should not be less than 1 meter for one and half brick wall.
8. Refilling of earth in the building portion up to the required height according to plinth level.
2. Net loading intensity of pressure coming on the soil should not exceed the safe bearing capacity.
3. Foundation should be designed in such a way that settlement to the ground is limited and uniform
under whole of the building to avoid damage to the structure.
4. Whole design of the foundation, super structure and characteristics of the ground should be studied
to obtain economy in construction work.
2. In case of column raft cement concrete 1:4:8 is the best recommended ratio for it in the foundation.
3. For brick masonry cement mortar 1:4 to 1:6 is used as loading condition.
In case of column and raft footings up to plinth level cement concrete 1:2:4
or 1:1.5:3 are used.
Soil having Safe Bearing Capacity
Dry coarse and well graded dense sand have maximum shear resistance and
maximum bearing capacity. In general submerged soil and clay have less
bearing capacity.
1. The depth of the foundation should not be less than 1 meter in case the design is not available.
2. The length, width and depth of excavation should be checked with the help of center line and level
marked on the marking pillars.
3. The excavated material/ earth should be dumped at a distance of 1 meter from the edges.
5. Arrangement of water pump should be made for pumping out rain water.
8. Any soft/ defective spots should be dug out and be filled with concrete/ hard material
2. Fix temporary pegs at the center line of walls/columns on both sides of walls and columns in front
and back side.
3. Fix peg at the center line of walls/columns on both sides of wall and columns in left and right side
of front of building.
5. Construct marking pillars with pegs at a distance of 1.5 meter to 2 meters and their top surface
should be plastered.
6. Mark center line on the top of marking pillars with the help of thread (Soot) or with the Theodolite
in big projects and the diagonal and other dimension should be checked.
7. Level marking pillars on all corners of building and the top level is fixed at a proposed plinth level.
8. Mark the foundation of walls/columns according to drawing on the ground with the help of
centerline marked on the marking pillars .
10. Excavate the foundation of the walls /columns up to required level and the excavation must be
checked with the help of center line and level marking pillars to avoid any complication later on.
Fig.11: Excavation for foundation under wall
Advantages of Layout with the help of marking pillars
o It saves time for measuring and setting of point again and again at the time of construction.
o It increases the efficiency of mason and foreman for doing their jobs.
o If any mistake is found, it can be easily be rectified at early stage. It is very difficult to rectify the
mistake in later.
o It involves extra time for measuring the offset again and again.
o Accuracy can not be checked at early stage and it will be very difficult to rectify the same in later
stage.
o It involves wastage of time and money while doing rectification. This also leads to bad quality of
work.
2. Long Nails
3. Hammer
4. Right Angle
5. Steel Tape
7. Bricks
8. Cement
9. Screen Sand
11. Theodolite