Types of foundation and their uses
Foundation of building as the name implies is the starting of a building construction on site really. Types of building, nature of soil and environmental conditions are the major determinant of type of foundation you will use for your building.
1)Strip foundation-This is the most common type, it is mainly used where you have strong soil base and non-waterlogged areas. Most small buildings of just a floor are constructed with this type of foundation .
Depends on the structural engineers recommendation , the depth of your foundation could be from 600mm to 1200mm mostly for small scale buildings . When the soil is excavated, a level at which the concrete will settle evenly is established, then concrete is poured this may be from 150mm(6”) thick to 450mm(18”) thick depending also on building after that block is set round the trenches at the center of foundation ,the foundation usually follows the block lines. The blocks are then layed to d.p.c level before another concrete is poured on top, this is the german or oversite concrete. This type seems to be the cheapest.
2)Pad foundation-This is where isolated columns (pillars) are casted from the foundation to carry a slab at the top of the ground. This is mostly used when you want to make use of the under of building as parking space or when the other space is not conducive to have foundation. Imagine you are planning to build a house across a flowing stream and you want a situation where you can use your boat to pass under the building because the stream is under . Then you may not need to dig foundation that will cut across the river but just by applying columns (pillars) at the edge of the river like a bridge, this columns are thus isolated and there foundations are reffered to as pad.
3)Raft foundation-This is where you have concrete spread around your building from the base of foundation all through to the german floor/oversite concrete/ground floor slab. It is mainly used in areas where the soil are sandy and loose, you spend more on this than the other previous two most of the time. It is also recommended in waterlogged areas but with buildings of less storeys
It has a ground beam which shuts out from the foundation base and is also attached to the ground floor slab to form a network of concrete embedded round the building space. The ground beam are usually from 600mm to 1200mm for low buildings.
4)Pile foundation-The most expensive and the strongest type of foundation, this requires specialist engineering to do. The soil are bored deep down the earth and filled with concrete to be able to support loads of multistory building on top. Most skyscrapers are constructed with this foundation type, a waterlogged area of high building may also require this.
It is the costliest hence it is used for high rise building mostly.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
what are the factor to consider when selecting a foundation for steel frame structure on a clay soil.
November 17th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I like you response toward sensitizing people on how about there house work
November 17th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Thank you.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:45 am
Hi Emma,
Thanks for the very useful details embedded in your site.
I’m planning a project (4 flats-3bedrooms each) with pile foundation in a water logged area. My concern is on having an efficient damp proof course as I hate the sight of wet walls and fence. Please advise on the best and most efficient way of stopping the capillary pressure rise of the water based on the latest available technology in the industry.
Cheers,
Id
January 5th, 2011 at 8:08 am
thanks but i will like to get more information about all the other types of foundations
January 16th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
im a student of building in nigeria.i enjoy reading most of your article on building.keep the good work moving. benedict from yola.
January 29th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Thank’s for this anyway, But elaborate on the types of foundation also.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
thanks i got all what i need
March 4th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
thanks for the info. you’ve really worked, but you should write about the other types of foundation
March 6th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
i got what i need.thanks alot
March 6th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
but type of foundation is about six types,so why four?
March 19th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
thanks i got what i needed but wud have love to see d pictures too but all d same thanks
April 15th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
i am a student in nigeria, i need a comprehensive write-up on the different methods and types of foundation
April 16th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
can you state types of soil suitable for each foundation
April 19th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for your replies
April 28th, 2011 at 10:37 am
Kindly give a picture or diagram of the raft foundation showing the laout
April 29th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Thanks a lot i have got what i whant.
May 4th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
i want the factor of foundation
May 7th, 2011 at 6:13 am
wel i got it but i’ll like 2 knw more abt wide strip foundation & deep strip foundation and pics on hw it look lik thanks alot.
May 10th, 2011 at 4:59 am
Thanks. But what about Stepped foundations?
May 14th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Stepped foundation as you rightly said it is just a derivations from the other major foundation types listed above. Step is used where you have obvious slopes or sharp gradient. A strip foundation can be stepped likewise others.
May 15th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Thanks for the information, but you should have explian more extensively with diagrames
May 18th, 2011 at 6:51 am
Thanks I will do soon.
May 18th, 2011 at 6:53 am
ok. just from inference one is wide the other is deep..lol
May 18th, 2011 at 6:58 am
Thank you
May 18th, 2011 at 6:59 am
ok
May 18th, 2011 at 7:00 am
ok I will in my next article
May 18th, 2011 at 7:02 am
The one listed are the major ones every other types are derivatives of the ones you have now. But will still work on it anyway.
May 20th, 2011 at 4:44 am
Thank you, but the real picture of the foundations is needed please.
May 23rd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
I like this page becouse it make me to understand the whole foundation but one thing it is beter to place a required diagram in each foundation
June 21st, 2011 at 8:56 am
thanks a lot i got what i need. i propose that you include diagrams in the content explanation.
June 22nd, 2011 at 6:25 am
Thanks, i got it. It was really useful to me
June 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
What type of foundation is the one in which you erect several concrete pillars at intervals arising from the foundation concrete as well as filling the blocks holes with concrete to DPC level? And when is such indicated if at all it serves any advantage?
Thank you
July 9th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
i understand raft foundation is best for ikoyi,ajah,lekki e.t.c.but which of these types of foundations is mostly used on mainland or Ogun state where soil is strong and clayish.considering a twin duplex.or 1 strorey.
July 18th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
This topic is nice. But the problem is that you do your calculation in milimeters rather than in feet. This confuses many NIgerians, nearly all of who are used to the feet measurement system.
August 7th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
pls i want you to describe foundation to me base on the components of building or structures
August 15th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
@Ola: Learn the conversion factor.25mm=1 inch. 12 inches=1 foot. i.e. 25 x 12 inches or 300mm=1 foot.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
I really like this page.Because it has brainstorm my understanding about foundation.Thank you!
September 19th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Your site is really a sure problem solver from my own perspective, i benefit a loot since i come in contact with your site just remain a blessing to the profession.
September 22nd, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for the effort in getting us information. You are really a blessing to this profession.
September 27th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
highly informative…great job..thumbs up!
September 28th, 2011 at 11:48 am
thank u for these simple explanation
October 9th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Very educative. Keep it up!
October 11th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Wow just straight to the point, Thank you!!!
October 14th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
need a reply on land acquisition free areas
October 18th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
i am ismaila ogunshola frm kaduna polytechnic i am as 2 research but due 2 ur effort i get want i want ones without stresssed tanks keeping d flag up continueosly
October 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 am
Pls i want you people explain more on foundation reinforcement for me.
October 26th, 2011 at 10:58 am
The great builders pls keep it on you guys are wonderful
October 28th, 2011 at 11:03 am
thank you i just got good ways to study because i am student doing civil engineering and i was doing foundation and i got good notes than what is in the book
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:37 pm
show us d diagram of this different types of foundations practically
November 21st, 2011 at 9:58 am
It very usefull when you come on foundation sector’ good thing in advace but would like to know much about foundation- like what are the first concdaration when you come in choosing the foundation type,?
Thank you!
November 25th, 2011 at 7:48 am
am a student of estate mgt,nneed foundation drawings 4 my project,u gys re doiinn a great job,keep it up
November 30th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Thats great, but i want to know that, what are the factors to consider when choosing the type of foundations.
December 14th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Thanks alot
January 15th, 2012 at 2:30 am
U’r wonderful.wen u inform,u empower.wen u empower u transform and 4 evry transformation u stimulate a reward 4rm d almighty
January 17th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I am a Civil Engineering student in Nigeria, I enjoy reading your articles.
January 25th, 2012 at 12:17 am
Thanks a lot this helped me in my engineering workshop technology.
January 27th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Tanks alot 4 d article, its really encouraging! Pls i need d diagrams, measurements and d calculations involved…..tanks
February 18th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for been there for us.But I wish to know if there is any site to read about all aspect of building construction.
March 7th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for d post,it really helps a lot..Stanchion base foundation is not discussed here
March 10th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
how mane blocks make three feat
March 10th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
how many blocks make three feat
March 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I am a student in KTTC-KENYA taking a course in civil engineering and i have found the information in your website so helpful in my studies.Please post for us some more information on other areas of study.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
thank you alot,i have got what i want!
March 14th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
very helpful information on this site. please am a student am i need some training and i want to specialize.please advise
March 14th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
i need 10 types of foundation
March 16th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Very educative indeed. Keep d flag flying, perherps, diagrams will be essential.
March 27th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Thanks guys,this has really been helpful.
April 2nd, 2012 at 12:32 am
Am a building final year student from obafemi awolowo university ILE IFE( GREAT IFE)…..keep up the good work….. just got solution to one of my assignment.
April 8th, 2012 at 5:25 am
Thanks for giving a more useful detail on foundation
April 8th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Whatever you chose just work hard on it. Every job pays.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
three feet is 900mm conventionally, the height of a block is taken as 225 and the width is taken as 450mm so for the width is 2 blocks for height is 4 blocks.
Remember the 4 blocks after german/oversite concrete floor before window when you are building is always measured on drawing as 900mm.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Thanks
April 11th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Am a student of architectural department and I luv ur contribution on dis work, please keep d ball rolling. Akynzee
April 24th, 2012 at 5:02 am
I am a graduate of Building Technology, and newly recruiting to teach Brick Block laying and Concrete at GTC so wit this from u and acquired one 4rm university, i am highly indebted in the field i can face any challenging situation 4rm the students. Thks alot,keep d gud work,