SPECIFICATION OF

FOUNDATION
General Observation

1. Soil does not posses a unique or linear stress-

strain relationship.
2. Soil behavior depends up on the pressure, time
and environment.
3. Soil at every location is essentially different
4. Nearly in all the cases, the mass of soil involved is
underground and cannot be seen entirely, but must
be evaluated on the basis of small size samples,
obtained from isolated locations.
 Definition of foundation
The lowest part of a structure is generally referred to as
foundation.
Function of foundation

To transfer load of the superstructure to the soil on which it is

resting.
Requirements (Functional)
A properly designed foundation is one that transfers the
structural load throughout the soil without overstressing of soil
which can result in either excessive settlement or shear failure,
both of which can damage the structure.
Footings
 Wider than foundation wall
 Purpose
 Spread entire load of structure over
wider area
 Prevents uneven settlement
Determine Footing Sizes
 Live loads include movable items
 People
 Wind
 Snow
 Furniture

 Dead loads include all of the structure

construction materials
 Different soil types
 Support varying loads
Footings
 Generally made of poured concrete
 Trench shapes footing
 Forms constructed for unstable soils
 Concrete withstands heavy loads
 Steel rebar adds support
Footing Design & Construction
 Effects of uneven settlement
 Doors & windows stick
 Cracks in finish materials
 Leaks in plumbing
 Structural element failure
Frost line
 Depth to which the ground will freeze
 Depth varies with geographic location
 Local codes specify minimum footing depth
 Footing placed below frost line
 Ground freezes
 Expands size and contracts
 Footing above frost line will be pushed upward
 Causes cracks in foundation
Foundation Wall
 Extends from footing upward to first
floor
 Commonly used materials
 Poured concrete
 Concrete block
 Brick
 Tile
Foundation Wall
Poured Concrete
 Composition
 Cement
 Water
 Stone or other
aggregrate
 Use key to tie walls
to poured footing
Foundation Walls
Concrete Block
 Most common CMU
 Nominal size: 8”high x 8”thick x 16” long
 Actual size: 7-5/8” x 7-5/8” x 15-3/8” with 3/8”
mortar joint
 Thickness: 4”, 8”, 10”, 12”
 Styles
 2 & 3 core stretchers
 Solids
 Lintels
 Corner
 Pilaster
 Jamb blocks
Foundation Walls
 Thickness varies
 Construction factors
 Local codes
 Soil conditions

 Shape is designed to handle horizontal

earth movement
 Lateral earth shifting causes damage
Foundation Walls
 Require damp proofing
 Heavy coats of tar or cement based
paint
 Thin coats of parging
 Drain tile
 Perforated pipe surrounds structure
 Washed gravel holds back soil; allows

water to enter pipe

 Water is directed away from foundation
Foundation Walls
 Polyethylene sheeting
 Thickness measured in millimeters (mils)
 6 mil most common