Asto, Ma. Jeanette C.

CE162P-E05

a. Function of Foundation

There are various functions of foundation, one of which is that a foundation reduces the

load intensity of the structure as it distributes the loads to a larger area, either the load is uniform

or non-uniform, so the intensity does not exceed the safe bearing capacity of the sub-soil.

Another is that it provides leveled and hard surface which can the structure can be built.

Furthermore, foundations provide lateral stability as it increases the stability of the structure

against lateral forces such as seismic and wind loads and against overturning and sliding. It

also provides protection against cracks in the structure due to soil movements such as

expansion and/or contraction of the soil.

b. The interconnection of the foundation design in the general design workflow of

structure.

In a typical workflow of structure, the general layout of the structure must first be done,

Afterwards, the loads shall be identified based on the plane. The loads are based upon the

design loads such as ceilings, floor fill, floor finish, and the like. After the loads have been

identified, the stress shall be analyzed in which the design of the slabs, beams, columns, and

foundation shall be based upon. Capacity check in which the reselection of member shall be

done. Afterwards, the connection check and detailing shall be done consequently. The design

loads shall be transferred to the slab, in which it shall be transferred to the beam, and the total
loads from the beam (design loads, weight of slab, weight of beam) onto the column, the loads

shall be transferred to the foundation and finally onto the soil.

c. Types of foundations and the applicability of its use

There are two types of foundation namely the shallow foundations and deep foundation.

Shallow foundations are further divided into spread footings, mat foundation, isolated footing,

and combined footing. Spread footing is the enlargement of a load bearing wall or column that

makes it possible to spread the load of the structure over a larger area of the soil. However, low

load-bearing capacity of soil, the size of the spread footings is impracticably large. In relation

to that, it is recommended to construct the whole structure over a concrete pad which is done

through mat foundation. Individual footing is the most common type of footing and is

construction for a single column. It is usually square or rectangle in size. Lastly, combined

footing is a combination of individual or isolated footing. This is done when two columns are

two close with each other that the construction of isolated footing for each column will overlap.

Likewise, deep foundation can also be further divided into two types namely the pile

foundation and the caisson foundation. Pile foundations are used when the columns carry a

heavy load. It is constructed much deep below the ground level in which where the shallow

foundations are constructed. It is transfer loads from the columns to the hard soil strata. Pile

foundations are used to prevent uplift of structure due to earthquakes and wind forces. On the

other hand, caisson foundation, also known as the drilled shaft, are construction through an

auger. It is similar to pile foundations albeit has a higher capacity to resist loads than the latter.

This type of deep foundation resists loads through either through shaft resistance or toe

resistance, or both. However, caisson foundation is not recommended to use when the soil is

loose such as clay or water-bearing granular soil.

 d. Criteria for the design of foundation

There are certain criteria that must be first be determined before designing a foundation.

Firstly, the loads of the building must be determined: vertical loads such as the dead load, live

load and the lateral loads such as seismic, wind, and even rain loads. Miscellaneous loads must

also be considered such as groundwater loads from basement walls, lateral soil pressure, and

pressures of earth horizontally. There are also buoyant uplift forces from underground water

and lateral flood forces in case of flooding. There are also building codes that must be followed

when designing a foundation such as ACI and AASHTO. Determining the building purpose

must also be considered and the client needs. In relation, construction costs, construction

method, type of framing the soil type in which the foundation shall be placed upon must be

also be considered.

e. How does the type of soil affect the design of foundation?

The identification of soil type must first be determined before the design of foundation

since each soil type has different characteristics and properties. For instance, as said earlier,

caisson foundation are not suitable or recommended to construct when the soil is clay or a

water-bearing soil. As a foundation engineer, the behavior and deformability of soil due to

stress and the geological condition of the soil in which the foundation will be placed are vital

to acquire when considering the design of the foundation.