Foundations

Excavations
ARCH 330
Fall 2008

Yes, I was a stud.

The Function of a Foundation

Foundations
Foundation Engineering- Evaluating the ability to support a
given structural load and designing the substructure or
transition member needed to support the construction.
To transfer the structural loads safely into the ground.
This means dealing with forces and soil pressures. The
need for deep excavations.

Foundations
Spread Footings
Proper compaction under the footing

Driven Piles
Types of piles

Wood
Concrete
Steel
Composite

-Pile Drivers
Drop Hammer
Mechanical- Hydraulic, diesel, steam
Vibratory

Caissons or Drilled Shafts

Cofferdams

Review Plans & Specifications

Consistency with geotechnical report
Reduce confusion during construction
Without Differing Site Conditions clause contractor
responsible
Read the report in response to what is underground.
Understand prescribed method, consistency with soils report

Site Investigations
Environmental restrictions
Site conditions at each and every location

The report has pertinent information- follow it.

Compaction testing
Understanding moisture content
Proper proctor

Geotechnical Studies
Soils Report

Buildings
Retaining Walls
Bridges
Roadways
Landslides
Forensic Investigations

Importance of Geotechnical Studies

Provide efficient foundations systems

Improve bid accuracy
Reduce change orders
Reduce long term problems

Geotechnical/Soils Reports
Recommendations

Suitability of on site soil for structural fill

Bearing capacity
Foundation type
Lateral earth pressures
Pavements
Drainage
Seismic

Steps for Geotechnical Study

Explore site conditions

Perform lab testing
Perform engineering analysis
Prepare report
Assist with plans and specifications
Construction observations

Soil Report
Borings or test pits
To lab for:

Moisture content
Gradations
Proctor test
Consolidation, direct shear, triaxial

Pile & Pile Driving

Site Investigation
Type & weight of structure
Soil properties
Depth of stratum
Variations of stratum depth
Availability of piling type
Availability of pile driver
Availability of experience in driving pile

Pile & Pile Driving

(Site Investigation cont)
Comparative placement cost
EPA & OSHA regulations
Depth of excavation for placement of
equipment ie building footing
Location of piling ie river, lake, ocean
Noise & Vibration
Adjacent structures

Pile & Pile Driving

Piling Types
Wood Pile
Precast Concrete Pile
Steel H-Pile
Steel Pipe Pile
Composite Piles
(Please review page 571-594)

Pile & Pile Driving

Pile Caps & Grade Beams
Piles are clustered then caped
Number of piles per cap are determined by the
load bearing capacity of the soil.
From the cap comes a column or bent.
Piles can be connected by grade beams

Pile & Pile Driving

Pile Drivers

Drop Hammers
Single/Double-Acting Steam
Hydraulic
Diesel Hammers
Vibratory Pile Drivers

Caisson or Cofferdam
Whats the difference?
Caisson- Boring or drilling a hole and
filling with concrete.
Cofferdam- A temporary boxlike structure
used to hold back water or earth while
work is being done inside it.

EXCAVATION

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL LAYOUT

BEGIN EXCAVATION
SWELL AND SOIL TYPES
UNSUITABLE SOIL
STRUCTURAL FILL
SITE DRAINAGE
DEWATERING
COMPACTION
BACKFILL
SAFETY
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL

Excavation Wall Bracing

No matter what restraining system is used to
stabilize the sides of an excavation, the
walls will have to be braced against lateral
pressures exerted by the surrounding soil
and water.
Shoring for trenches (trench boxes)
Lateral forces surrounding the structure
Slope back
Different shoring systems
Tiebacks (rock and earth)

Protection of Excavations
Lateral Forces
Deep Excavations

Slope Back- Usually 2:1, The angle of repose at

which a soil material will stand without moving

Interlocking Sheet Piling

Steel Soldier Piles- H beam with lagging
Concrete Slurry walls-Shotcrete (pneumatically
projected at high velocity onto a surface)

Other piling terminology

Battered pile- A pile driven somewhat at an
angle so as to resist horizontal forces.
Kelly bar- The equipment on the pile driver
that determines the height of the pile to
drive.

EXCAVATION

Terminology
In the industry terms can mean different things.
Toe- (1) Any protection from the base of a
construction or object to give it increased
bearing and stability. (2)That portion of sheeting
below the excavated material. (3) To drive a nail
at an oblique angle. (4) The junction between
the base metal and the face of a filled weld. (5)
The part of the base of a retaining wall that
projects beyond the face away from the retained
material.

Excavation

Need for Deep Foundations

Removing ground water or dewatering
Amount of material to be removed
Soil swell percentage
For removal and replace
Tons to cubic yards

Protection of Excavation
Sheet Piling
Soldier Piles
Concrete Slurry Walls

Excavation Wall Bracing

Slope back
Shoring
Tiebacks

Foundation Sequencing
Drive Piling- Excavate> >[Slope protection/shoring system]> Layout
Piles>Drive Piles>Cut off piles>Fine grade/Compact>Structural Fill>
Backfill to follow foundation system

Drilled Piling (concrete)- Excavate> >[Slope

protection/shoring system]>

Layout Piles>Auger piling>Fabricate

Cage>Set reinforcing cage>Pour concrete pile>Fine
grade/Compact>Structural Fill> Backfill to follow foundation system

Spread Footings-Excavate>[Slope protection/shoring

system]>Layout>Fine
foundation system

grade/Compact>Structural Fill>

Backfill to follow

EXCAVATION

EXCAVATION
TABLE V:2-1. ALLOWABLE SLOPES.Soil
typeHeight/Depth ratioSlope angle Stable
RockVertical90Type A:153Type
B1:145Type C1:134Type A (shortterm):163(For a maximum excavation
depth of 12 ft)