Functions of the Foundation

Do you want to know about the functions of the foundation? Most of the people who are interested in construction industry want to know about major functions of foundation. In a building construction project, significant cost will be allocated for foundation. Foundation is one of the most important elements of a building and which has direct contact with the ground

Foundations is the lowest part of a structure which transmits the load of the structure (dead load) together with live load and wind load to the underlying soil on which the building rests.

 

                    

Generally foundation is placed below the ground level to increase the stability of a structure or building.

The functions of a foundation are follows;

 

1. Distribution of loads

2. Stability against sliding & overturning

3.Minimize differential settlement

4. Provide level surface

  5. Minimize distress against soil movement 

1) Distribution of loads

Foundation help to sustain, distribute and safely transfer the total load (dead load, imposed load and wind load) to the suitable subsoil.

Therefore, the intensity of load at its base does not exceed the safe bearing capacity of the soil

In the case of deep foundations, the super imposed loads are transmitted either through end bearing or both by side friction & end bearing

                            

2) Stability against sliding & overturning

 

   Foundation imparts lateral stability to the super structure by anchoring it to the ground

  It increases the stability against sliding & overturning due to horizontal forces to wind, earthquake, etc.

3) Minimize differential settlement

 

   Foundation distribute the super-imposed loads evenly on the sub-soil, even in the case of non-uniform loads

   This can be achieved by constructing combined footing or raft foundation.

   4) Provide level surface

It provides level surface over which super-structure can be raised.

  5) Minimize distress against soil movement

Distress or failure due to expansion or contraction of the sub-soil due to moisture variation in clayey & black cotton soils are minimized by the provision of special type foundations.

 

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