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Shallow Foundations
Module-III
Introduction
The foundation can be classified broadly into
two types:
Shallow foundations
Deep foundations
Shallow foundations
Shallow Foundations
When the depth of foundation is less then or
equal to the width of foundation, then it is
termed as shallow foundation. It is also known
as open foundation.
A shallow foundation is placed immediately
below the lowest part of the superstructure.
A footing is a foundation unit constructed in brick
work, stone masonry or concrete below the base
of the wall or column for the purpose of
distributing the structural-load over wide area.
Types
The shallow foundation can be classified
into following types:
Spread footing
Combined footing
Strap footing
Mat or Raft foundation
Spread Footing
Spread Footing:- Spread footings are those which
spread the super-imposed load of wall or column
over larger area. Spread footing support either
column or wall
It may of following kinds
Single footing for column
Stepped footing for a column
Sloped footing for a column
Wall footing without step
Grillage foundation
Spread Footing
Spread Footing
Grillage Foundation
A grillage foundation is an isolated footing generally
provided, when heavy structural loads from columns,
piers or steel stanchions are required to be transferred
to a soil having poor or low bearing capacity.
This type of foundation is lighter and more economical,
for which deep excavation is not required and provides
more area at the base; so that intensity of pressure can
be reduced within safe bearing capacity of soil.
It can be broadly divided into two categories,
depending upon the material used:
(a) Steel grillage foundation
(b) Timber grillage foundation
Method of Construction
The excavation for foundation is done to the desired depth and the
bed is well leveled.
The foundation bed is then covered with a 15 cm. thick rich mix of
concrete, which is well compacted to make it impervious.
The grillage beams are then placed on this bed at specified distance
using separators. The top surface of grillage beams is kept in a
horizontal plane and rich cement grout is filled all around the lower
flanges of the beams to secure them to the concrete bed.
The concrete is then placed between and around the beams.
The second tier of beams is then placed at right angles to the first
tier and the entire space is filled with concrete.
The steel stanchion is then erected on the base plate fixed on the
second tier beams; with the help of side angles and gusset plates.
These connecting elements are also embedded in the concrete so that
the joint becomes rigid.
Combined Footing
A combined footing is a single footing, which supports two columns. A
combined footing is provided under the following circumstances:
When the columns are very near to each other, so that their footing
overlap.
When the bearing capacity of soil is less, requiring more area under
individual footing.
When the end column is near a property line so that its footing cannot
spread in that direction.
A combined footing may be rectangular or trapezoidal in plan. The aim
of combined footing is to get uniform pressure distribution under the
footing.
For this, the Centre of gravity (CG) of the footing area should coincide
with the C.G. of the combined loads of the two columns.
If the outer column, near the property line, carries heavier load,
provision of Trapezoidal column becomes essential to bring the C.G. of
footing in line with the C.G. of two column loads.
Combined Footing
Strap Footing
A strap footing consists of two or more footing of individual
columns, connected by a beam, called a strap.
When a column is near or right next to adjacent property limit, a
square or rectangular footing concentrically located under the
column would extended into the adjoining property, which may
not be permissible. In that case, the strap footing may be
provided.
The strap beam, connecting the spread footing of the two
columns, does not remain in contact with soil and thus does not
transfer any pressure to the soil.
The function of the strap beam is to transfer the load of heavily
loaded outer column to the inner one. In doing so, the strap beam
is subjected to bending moment and shear-force and it should be
designed to withstand these.
Strap Footing
Raft Foundation
A Raft or mat is a combined footing, which covers the entire area below the
whole building or structure and supports all the wall and columns.
When the allowable soil pressure is low or the building loads are heavy, the
use of spread footings would cover more than one-half of the area and it
may prove more economical to use mat or raft foundation.
They are also used, where the soil mass contains compressible lenses or the
soil is sufficiently erratic so that the differential settlement would be
difficult to control. The mat or raft tends to bridge over the erratic deposits
and eliminates the differential settlement.
A raft foundation is also needed to reduce settlement on highly
compressible soils, by making the weight of the structure and raft
approximately equal to the weight of the soil excavated.
Raft foundation consists of thick reinforced concrete slab covering the
entire area of the bottom of the building or structure like a floor. The slab is
reinforced with bars running at right angles to each other both near the
bottom and top face of the slab.
Sometimes, it is necessary to carry the excessive column load by an
arrangement of inverted main beams and secondary beams, cast
monolithically with the raft slab.
Raft Foundation
Strip foundation
Pier Foundation
For the walls carrying heavy loads, the pier
foundation with arches may be provided. The
piers are dug at regular interval and filled with
concrete, which are connected by concrete or
masonry arch and the wall may be constructed
over it.
The arches are constructed with a gap above the
ground level which may permit the movement of
soil during swelling and shrinkage.
Pier Foundation
Action of Atmosphere
The salts in the rainwater entering into the
ground, may react chemically with the material of
foundation and disintegrate it.
Also, if the foundation is not taken to a sufficient
depth, the rainwater may scour the soil and
expose the foundation.
Due to the changes in the sub-soil water table, the
expansion or shrinkage of the soil may takes
place, which causes the cracks in the foundation.
Action of Atmosphere
The various precautions are as follows:
The foundations should be taken to sufficient depth to
avoid the adverse effect of atmosphere.
The adequate drainage provisions of sub-soil water
should be made by providing proper ground slope.
The foundation should be provided with dense cement
concrete or stone masonry, where the ground water and
soil contains excessive salts.
The sides of the foundation trenches should be well
filled and consolidated and providing plinth protection
all along the external wall to keep the rainwater away
from the building.
Questions
What are the causes of failure of foundation? Mention
remedial measure.
When do you suggest:
Combined footing
Strap footing
Raft foundation
Thanks