University of Guyana

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Architecture

Name: Varshanie Jaikissoon

USI: 1035400
Course Name: Construction Technology 2
Course Code: ARH 2108
Lecturer: Kurt Gonsalves
Date Assigned: 30-11-2020
Due Date: 08-01-2021
Date Submitted: 08-01-2021
TYPES OF FOUNDATION
Table of contents

TASK SHEET ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 5
TYPES OF FOUNDATION ................................................................................................................................. 6
SHALLOW FOUNDATION (ROY CHUDLEY, ROGER GREENO 2005) ...................................................... 7
STRIP FOUNDATION ....................................................................................................................................................7
ISOLATED/PAD FOUNDATION .....................................................................................................................................7
RAFT FOUNDATION ....................................................................................................................................................8
DEEP FOUNDATION (ROY CHUDLEY, ROGER GREENO 2005) ................................................................ 9
PILE FOUNDATION ......................................................................................................................................................9
PIER FOUNDATION (MAHAJAN 2019) .......................................................................................................................10
WHERE THE TYPES OF FOUNDATION ARE BEST SUITED FOR AND WHY ARE THEY
PREFERRED OVER OTHERS ........................................................................................................................ 11
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................................... 12
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Task sheet
1. List and draw / sketch the type of foundations used in the local construction industry.
2. State where they are best suited and why prefer over the others.
Introduction
Foundations? What are they? They are the substructure that offers support and is the main reason
why buildings are able to stand tall on plain ground. In this research one will learn about the types
of foundation that are used locally in Guyana. There are two broad categories of foundation;
shallow and deep foundation. These two categories can be further broken down; in shallow
foundation we have strip foundation, isolated/pad foundation and raft foundation; in deep
foundation we have pile and pier foundation. Each of these foundation serves its own purpose to a
structure in a specific part or the entire structure.
Types of foundation
There are two main categories of foundation. These are; shallow and deep foundation.

Shallow foundation
1. Strip foundation
2. Isolated/ Pad foundation
3. Raft foundation
Deep foundation
1. Pile foundation
2. Pire foundation
Shallow foundation (Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno 2005)
Strip foundation
Reinforced concrete strip foundations are used to support and transmit the loads from heavy walls.
The effect of the wall on the relatively thin foundation is to act as a point load, and the resultant
ground pressure will induce tension on the underside across the width of the strip. Tensile
reinforcement is therefore required in the lower face of the strip, with distribution bars in the
second layer running longitudinally. The reinforcement will also assist the strip in spanning any
weak pockets of soil encountered in the excavations.

Isolated/Pad Foundation
This type of foundation is used to support and transmit the loads from piers and columns. The most
economic plan shape is a square, but if the columns are close to the site boundary it may be
necessary to use a rectangular plan shape of equivalent area. The reaction of the foundation to the
load and ground pressures is to cup, similar to a saucer, and therefore main steel is required in both
directions. The depth of the base will be governed by the anticipated moments and shear forces,
the calculations involved being beyond the scope of this volume. Incorporated in the base will also
be the starter bars for a reinforced concrete column or the holding-down bolts for a structural steel
column.
Raft Foundation
The principle of any raft foundation is to spread the load over the entire area of the site. This
method is particularly useful where the column loads are heavy and thus require large bases, or
where the bearing capacity is low, again resulting in the need for large bases. Raft foundations can
be considered under three headings: n solid slab rafts; n beam and slab rafts; n cellular rafts. Solid
slab rafts are constructed of uniform thickness over the whole raft area, which can be wasteful
because the design must be based on the situation existing where the heaviest load occurs. The
effect of the load from columns and the ground pressure is to create areas of tension under the
columns and areas of tension in the upper part of the raft between the columns. Very often a
nominal mesh of reinforcement is provided in the faces where tension does not occur to control
shrinkage cracking of the concrete.
Beam and slab rafts are an alternative to the solid slab raft and are used where poor soils are
encountered. The beams are used to distribute the column loads over the area of the raft, which
usually results in a reduction of the slab thickness. The beams can be upstand or down stand
depending upon the bearing capacity of the soil near the surface. Down stand beams will give a
saving on excavation costs, whereas upstand beams create a usable void below the ground floor if
a suspended slab is used.
Deep foundation (Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno 2005)
Pile foundation
The pile is a type of deep foundation is made of concrete, timber, or steel. It is like a small-diameter
column which is driven into or cast in the ground. In simple words, the pile foundation has depth
more than a shallow foundation. This type of foundation primly used in bridge construction.

This type of the foundation is used when the soil below the foundation not having sufficient bearing
capacity to carry the load of building into deep soil up to hard strata. The major function of the
pile foundation is to transmit loads to the lower level of the ground by the combination of friction
pile and end-bearing pile at the pile point or base.
Pier foundation (Mahajan 2019)
A Caisson is one type of watertight retaining structure used in the construction of a concrete dam,
as pier of bridge construction in the river or for the repair of ships. Caisson is prefabricated hollow
box or cylinder sunk into the water or ground to some desired depth and then filled with concrete
thus forming a foundation.

Caisson Types of foundation is majorly used for bridge construction & other structures that require
foundation beneath rivers & other bodies of water. This is because caisson can be transported by
floating to the construction site and sunk in water to use as a pier of foundation.

They are similar to pile foundation but are installed using a different method. Caisson foundation
used, when the soil of adequate bearing strength is found below surface layers of weak materials
such as fill or peat.

It is one of type of deep foundation, which is constructed above ground level, then sunk to the
required level by excavating or dredging material from within the caisson.
Where the types of foundation are best suited for and why are they
preferred over others

Types of Best suited Why is it preferred?

foundation
(SHALLOW)
Strip foundation Flat lands • It is more economical.
• It can be used on various types of lands.
• Easy to build
Isolated/Pad Flat lands/ • It is more economical.
foundation Mountainous • It can be used on various types of lands.
areas • Easy to build
Raft foundation Swamp lands • Is distributes the load of the
superstructure over the area of the entire
building
• Is used when the soil is weak

Types of foundation Best Suited Why is it preferred?

(DEEP)
Pile foundation For tall/ • Is distributes the load of the superstructure
heavy over the area of a specific part of the
buildings building
• Is used when the soil is weak
Pier foundation River side • It is used when building in water or
swampy lands to prevent sinkage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that all foundations have a purpose and is important to every
building. Not only are foundations important, they are the main reason why buildings stand. If not
built correctly the superstructure will fail causing it to fall.
Each type of foundation is best suited for the different types of lands because of who they are
designed and built.
References

Mahajan, Mike. 2019. Civiconcepts. 08 26. Accessed 12 20, 2020.

https://civiconcepts.com/2019/08/types-of-foundation-their-uses-in-building-construction/.

Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno. 2005. "Construction Technology ." By Roger Greeno Roy Chudley, 59 to .
Malaysia: Pearson Education Limited.