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In any building the superstructure the substructure (foundations) the supporting soil act together to give the building structural stability
Unit 3 SUBSTRUCTURE DESIGN - FOUNDATIONS
Foundations are the vital link between the superstructure and the ground. The criteria for a successful foundation are: it should be at a minimum depth and size, without exceeding the allowable bearing capacity of any soil layer below the foundation. it should have settlement consistent with the supporting structure it should be able to withstand natural ground movements from frost, moisture and heat regard is given to buildability it should be economical
The principles of foundations. The basic function of a foundation is to intercept the load exerted by a building structure and transfer this load to the supporting soil in such a way that the building will not sink into the ground (subside) Structural stability is normally achieved in either of two ways, or indeed a combination of both. Spread the load exerted by the building over a sufficiently wide area to prevent the supporting ground being overstressed Divert or transfer the load to a strata, deep in the ground, which is capable of supporting the imposed load without failure
When a building is placed on the ground it exerts a force on the soil. Safe foundations place that load such that the soil is not overloaded. The ability of the ground or soil to bear a load varies with types of soil and ground depth
Typical subsoil bearing capacities Type of subsoil Rocks, granites and chalk Non-cohesive soils Compact sands Loose uniform sands Cohesive soils Hard clays Soft clays and silts Peats and made-up ground Bearing Capacity (kN/M2) 600 10000 100 - 600
0 600
To be determined by investigation
TYPES OF SOIL Rock The hardest rock is igneous e.g. granite and basalt. Normally they have a high safe bearing capacity, 2-3 times that of sedimentary rocks and 25-30 times that of clays and sands. Generally bedrock is an excellent base to build on but unfortunately the cost of levelling and the cost of excavating service trenches outweighs the initial advantage of a good natural base. Course grained non-cohesive soils Gravels and sands come under this heading. When loaded they shear if unconfined. The particles slide over each other at an angle known as the angle of internal friction . Fine grained cohesive soils These include clays and silts. The major problem with these types of soil is that their nature changes with the level of moisture in the soil. When the soil drys out they shrink, but when the moisture content is increased the soil swells. When water trapped in the soil freezes it can cause vertical heave
Types of soil Organic soils These include peat, loam and mud. Generally unsuitable for building on. Normally 150-200 mm thick. Such soil (top soil) is usually removed before building begins. Made up soil As the stock of quality building land diminishes, poorer ground is often used. Today made up ground is being utilised. Extreme care should be taken to ensure that such land is properly investigated.
6.000
6.000
6.000
6.000
C1 B1 B1
C4 B1 B1
C4 B1
C4 B1 B1
C4 B1 B1
C1
B1
B1
B3 B3 B1 B3 B3 B3
SD1
B3 B3 B1 B3 B3 B3
SD1
B3 B3 B1 B3 B3 B3
SD1
B3 B3 B1 B3 B3 B3
SD1
B3 B3 B1 B3 B3 B3
SD1
6.000
C2
C5
C5
C5
C5
C2
SD1
SD1
SD1
SD1
SD1 9.000
B2
B2
B2
B2
C6
B3 B1
C3
B3 B1
C3
B3 B1
C3
B3 B1
C3
B3 B1
C6
B2
B2
B1 B2 B3
= = =
406 x 130 x 39 Universal Beam 457 x 152 x 74 Universal Beam 305 x 127 x 37 Universal Beam
C1 C2 C3 C4
= 254 x 254 x 71 Universal Column = 305 x 305 x 88 Universal Column = 305 x 305 x 149 Universal Column = 305 x 305 x 79 Universal Column = 305 x 305 x 186 Universal Column = 254 x 254 x 85 Universal Column
Note that this building has 3 storeys above ground level + a concrete roof having the same construction as the floors. The ground floor slab is ground supported and is to be disregarded in foundation assessments.
SD1
Structural Concrete Composite Floor using Corus ComFlor 80 Composite Floor Decking- depth of slab = 150mm. Load imposed by ComFloor Deck = 0.75kN/m2
C5 C6
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION IN CLASS The loads exerted by the building vary according to the size, use and form of construction used. What loads are exerted by a building on to the ground below the building? As discussed in unit 2, the building is exposed to both dead and live loads Permanent or dead loads: the weight of the structure, cladding and fixed equipment Temporary or live loads : imposed loads people furniture, nonfixed equipment. environmental or dynamic loads - snow or wind. thermal loads temperature changes causing load on structure
Capable of withstanding the opposing forces, the weight of the building and the resistance of the soil, such that the foundation will not bend
Stable so that it will not overturn .Whenever possible loads on foundations should be placed centrically.
Accommodate initial settlement of the structure. It is especially important that uneven settlement does not occur. That the installation of foundations does not overstress the ground such that adjacent existing foundations and services are damaged. It should be noted that the installation of new ground based services can undermine existing foundations. It should also be noted that where services pass under or adjacent to foundations the load exerted on them by the foundations may cause failure. In such situations, such as a sewer collapse this may in turn undermine the foundation.
BUILDING NEAR TREES The combination of shrinkable soils and trees, hedgerows or shrubs represents a hazard to structures that requires special consideration. Trees, hedgerows and shrubs take moisture from the ground and, in cohesive soils such as clay, this can cause significant volume changes resulting in ground movement. This has the potential to affect foundations and damage the supported structure. In order to minimise this risk, foundations should be designed to accommodate the movement or be taken to a depth where the likelihood of damaging movement is low.
Spread foundations
Piled foundations
SPREAD FOUNDATIONS
Simplest form of foundation is the strip foundation, used to support a load bearing wall Main types of strip foundations
Conventional strip
Deep strip
Wide strip
CONVENTIONAL STRIP FOUNDATIONS Spread the load exerted by the building over a sufficiently wide area to prevent the supporting ground being overstressed
Deep strip foundations Tend to be used at depths greater than 1.2 m deep
Pad foundation
GROUND BEAMS
Raft foundation
PILE FOUNDATIONS
Pile Foundations Divert or transfer the load to a strata, deep in the ground, which is capable of supporting the imposed load without failure
Pile foundations
Two main types displacement & replacement
Pile cap
BASEMENTS
What type of foundation would you use in the assignment? Where would you locate the foundations? Is there a role for a basement?