foundation
All engineering structures are provided with foundations at the base to fulfill the following objectives and purposes;
To distribute the load of the structure over a large bearing area so as to bring intensity of loading within the safe bearing capacity of the soil lying underneath.
To load the bearing surface at a uniform rate so as to prevent unequal settlement.
To prevent the lateral movement of the supporting material.
To secure a level and firm bed for building operations.
To increase the stability of the structure as a whole.
1) Shallow Foundations
Spread footing or open trench foundations
Grillage foundations
Raft foundations
Stepped foundations
Inverted arch foundations
2) Deep Foundations
Pile foundations
Well foundations
Caisson foundations
