Foundations

DEFINITION
• A foundation is that part of a
building which is in direct contact
with the ground which carries the
weight (load) of the building.
 Foundations
What is the functions of a foundation?
What is the job of a foundation?

• It carries the weight of the building

• Transfers loads safely to the ground

• It spreads the weight of the building

• It provides a flat level surface in which to build on

 Different types of foundations
There are four different types of foundation:

• Strip foundation

• Pad (Trench fill) foundation

• Raft foundation

• Pile foundation
 TYPES OF FOUNDATION
1. Strip foundation: This is a type of foundation where there is a
continuous deposit of concrete in the foundation trench on which the
walls of the building are constructed. It is used for simple buildings on
solid ground.
2. Pad foundation: This is a type of foundation where reinforced concrete
base columns are constructed. It is used for storey buildings.
3. Raft foundation: It is used in soils that cannot support a building by
strip or pad foundation. It enables the building to settle as a whole and
not in parts. It is normally used in constructing buildings on
waterlogged or reclaimed land.
4. Pile foundation: A pile foundation is made by reinforced concrete piles
driven through weak or swampy soil to a firm base. It is made up of
columns of reinforced concrete driven or cast in the ground to carry a
building structure. E.g. it is used in high rise or sky scrapper buildings.
Which foundation is the right one to choose?
Choosing a foundation for a project depends upon a number of key factors:

• The type of building structure

• Soil conditions

• Site constraints – e.g. the size and shape of the site layout

 In the construction of houses or house extensions, where the soil is good,

a strip foundation is generally used.

 In the construction of large buildings that offer heavy loads

a raft foundation is used.

 When soil is weak and poor quality, a pile foundation is used.

Strip foundation
Strip foundation Insulation
Brickwork
Block work

Damp Proof Course

Ground Level

Trench blocks below ground

Concrete foundation
Damp Proof Course
Insulation
Trench fill foundation
Trench fill foundations are a type of shallow foundation that avoids 
bricklaying below ground by instead almost completely filling the trench 
excavation with concrete.

Typically, concrete is poured to within 150 mm of the surface ground level.

This type of foundation minimises the excavation required, as bricklayers are
not required to access the trench to lay bricks or blocks. It can also help to
reduce the width of the foundation where below ground brickwork would
require a wider footing. 
Trench fill foundation
Insulation
Brickwork
Block work

Damp Proof Course

Ground Level

Concrete foundation
Strip foundation Trench fill foundation
Raft foundation
• Raft foundations (sometimes known as
MatFoundations) are a large concrete slab
which can support a number of columns and
walls. The slab is spread out under the entire
building or at least a large part of it which
lowers the contact pressure compared to the
traditionally used strip or trench footings.
Raft foundation
Raft foundation
Raft foundation Insulation
Block work

Brickwork

Damp Proof Course

Floor Screed

Insulation

Damp Proof
Membrane Ground Level

Sand blinding

Concrete foundation
(deeper at the edges)
Pile foundation
• A deep foundation is a type of foundation which transfers
building loads to the earth farther down from the surface
than a shallow foundation does, to a subsurface layer or a
range of depths. A pile is a vertical structural element of a
deep foundation, driven or drilled deep into the ground at
the building site.
• Pile foundations are principally used to transfer the loads
from superstructures, through weak, compressible strata
or water onto stronger, more compact, less compressible
and stiffer soil or rock at depth, increasing the effective
size of a foundation and resisting horizontal loads.
Pile foundation
Insulation

Block work Brickwork

Damp Proof Course

Floor Screed
Steel
Insulation reinforced
concrete pad
Damp Proof
Membrane

Concrete

Hardcore

Pile
(Bored and cast in situ)
 HAND TOOLS AND PLANT FOR
EXCAVATION
• Excavation simply means the process of digging the
soil to make holes or trenches. Excavation can be done
by manually or using machines (plants). The following
are examples of hand tools used to excavate the soil;
cutlass, axe, spade, rake, hoe, auger or digger, shovel
etc.
• Machine tools are; bulldozers, tractors, excavators,
graders. Power chain saws are used to cut big trees and
dumpers for carrying away scooped earth and debris.
TRACTORS
GRADER
BULLDOZER
EXCAVATOR
POWER CHAIN SAW
Name: Date:

Quiz
1. Name three functions of a foundation.

2. Name four different types of foundation. 

3. Name two keys factors that are considered when choosing which type of foundation to use for a
construction project

4. Which type of foundation is generally used in the construction of houses or house extensions? 

5. Which type of foundation is generally when constructing large buildings that offer heavy loads?

6. Which type of foundation is generally used when soil is weak and of poor quality?