Foundations and footings are important parts of buildings. There are different Types of Foundations in Construction. Their main job is to spread out the weight of the building. Foundations are usually built underground. They carry the weight of the walls and transfer it to the ground. Footings help spread the weight evenly. They are sometimes connected to a wall to stop the building from sinking into the ground.
Shallow and Deep Foundations
There are two main types of foundations: shallow and deep.
Construction contractor uses shallow foundations for smaller and lighter buildings. They are wider than they are deep. This makes them quicker and cheaper to build. All these factors make them good for projects like houses and wooden structures. On the other side, deep foundations are needed for heavy buildings like skyscrapers and shopping centers. They go deep into the ground to provide a stable base. These foundations are strong and hence support things like bridges, piers, and dams. They can even be used underwater.
Types of Shallow Foundations:
Have a look at the important types of shallow foundations:
. Mat (Raft) Foundation
This type of foundation is a big, solid slab of concrete under the entire building. It supports the weight of the whole structure. Mat foundations are good for buildings with many columns and walls. They spread the weight across the whole building and are used in commercial buildings and areas where basements are common.
Describing about its feature, this is a large, solid concrete slab that covers the entire building area that is commonly used for basements or commercial buildings
. Spread Footing
A spread footing is the part of a foundation that touches the ground. It helps carry the weight of the building. Also, it stops moisture from getting inside, which can cause mold. There are different types of footings, like concrete, stone, brick, and wood. Spread footing is a type of shallow foundation that has a wider base than the top. This helps spread the building's weight over a larger area. This makes it more stable.
Spread footings can be square, round, or rectangular. They are used to support columns in buildings or piers in bridges. They are also common in residential homes to make them more stable and cost-effective.
These footings are good because they save money. They make it easier to build basements. These footings also reduce the risk of foundation problems. But they work best in certain types of soil, and settling can be an issue.
There are different types of spread footings you might see in construction projects. It includes Isolated footings, Combined footings, Continuous footings, Grillage footings, Raft footings and Strip footings.
. Basement Foundation
Basement foundations do the same job as regular ones. They spread out a building’s weight and keep it dry. But basement walls go all the way into the ground to make space below the building. These Types of Foundations in Construction take longer because it is completely underground.
Depending on the area and what the client wants, you might see two types of basement foundations. This is Full basement and Daylight. The Full basement is completely underground, providing extra living or storage space. Whereas in Daylight is different. If the land slopes, part of the basement sticks out of the ground. This is good for walkout basements.
. Crawl Space Foundation
Crawl space foundations are a bit higher off the ground. They are deeper than regular foundations but not as deep as basements. They leave a small space under the house, making it easy to reach pipes and plumbing.
Crawl spaces also help keep houses cool in hot places by letting air move underneath. They cost less to build than basements. But you have to think about insulation and keeping out moisture.
. Concrete Slab Foundation
This is the most common type of foundation. It's a 6- to 8-inch-thick concrete pad under a building. The thickness depends on how much weight it has to hold. Slabs are good for places with mild weather.
Building a simple slab means pouring concrete onto prepared soil with sand or gravel. Some slabs have extra parts like concrete feet or insulation.
Slab foundations have three main types:
Types Of Deep Foundation
. Pile Foundation
These Types of Foundations in Construction are like long, strong sticks that go deep into the ground to support buildings. They are used when the ground is not strong enough near the surface. These foundations are good for places with soft soil, high water levels, or when it's hard to dig deep. Piles are also used for heavy structures like bridges or tall buildings.
Materials like concrete, steel, or wood are used to make piles. Each material has its pros and cons. Steel can hold more weight and go deeper, but it might cost more and rust over time. Wood is cheaper but may not work in hard soil.
There are five types of pile foundations. It include Sheet piles, Load-bearing piles, End-bearing piles, Friction piles, and Soil-compactor piles.
. Caisson Foundations
These are like big tubes or boxes that hold water out. They are used for building things underwater, like bridges or dams and can be built on land and then lowered into place. Engineers dig a hole, empty the water out of the caisson, and fill it with concrete.
This foundation appears like long, columns and commonly used for houses on hillsides, bridges, or under rivers. The Caisson foundations come in different types such as Open caissons, Pneumatic caissons, Monolithic caissons, Sump caissons, and Box caissons.
. Buoyant Foundation
Buoyant foundations are like floating rafts that hold up buildings. They are used in soft ground to spread out the weight and prevent sinking. This foundation is helpful in flood-prone areas because they keep buildings above water. It is commonly used for buildings in areas that flood often.
Conclusion:
Your Construction contractor will select the right type of foundation based on the structure to be built. Ebullient Investments can provide the right guidance to you. Connect with us now for complete details.