Foundations

A foundation does more than support the loads transferred to it by the entire superstructure. It also must overcome the forces imposed by settlement, soil pressure, groundwater, and seismic activity. This lesson explains how the different types of commercial building foundations withstand these forces in order to anchor a commercial building to the earth.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify the loads on a commercial building foundation
• Describe the purpose of spread footing
• Differentiate between a mat foundation and a conventional structural slab
• Explain how commercial foundations accommodate different soil and groundwater conditions
• Identify the conditions for choosing a shallow or deep foundation system
• Compare pilings to caissons

Hover your cursor over icons to see title of link