"In engineering, a foundation is the element of a structure which connects it to the ground or more rarely, water (like with floating structures), transferring loads from the structure to the ground."
Design of foundations for structures based on the properties of the soil and rock.
Soil Mechanics: Understanding soil properties and behavior is crucial in foundation engineering. Topics such as soil classification, soil compaction, shear strength, consolidation, and settlement analysis are covered.
Rock Mechanics: Similar to soil mechanics, rock mechanics deals with the properties and behavior of rocks. Topics such as rock strength, slope stability analysis, and excavation support are included.
Geology: Basic knowledge of geology is necessary in foundation engineering. It includes topics such as rock formations, geological structures, and geologic hazards.
Site Investigation: Before starting any foundation work, it is essential to carry out a thorough site investigation. This topic includes methodologies and techniques used for soil testing, drilling, sampling, and logging.
Foundation Types: Different types of foundations are used in geotechnical engineering, including shallow, deep, and special foundations. This topic covers the selection criteria, design, and construction of various foundation types.
Statics and Dynamics: A basic understanding of statics and dynamics is important for designing foundations and retaining structures. This topic covers the principles of equilibrium, loads, and stability analysis.
Earth Retaining Structures: This topic covers the design of different types of retaining walls, such as gravity, cantilever, anchored, and reinforced soil walls.
Slope Stability Analysis: Slope stability analysis is critical in geotechnical engineering. It includes topics such as shear strength of slopes, soil stabilization, and stability analysis methods.
Ground Improvement: Ground improvement techniques such as soil stabilization, soil reinforcement, and soil densification are used to improve the soil properties and make it suitable for foundation construction.
Construction Materials: Understanding the properties and behavior of construction materials such as concrete, steel, and geosynthetics is important for foundation engineering.
Foundation Testing: Foundation testing such as plate load testing, pile load testing, and static load testing are essential for verifying the design and performance of foundations.
Seismic Design: This topic covers the design and analysis of foundations and retaining walls to resist seismic forces.
Environmental Considerations: Environmental factors such as groundwater, soil erosion, and contamination need to be considered during foundation design and construction.
Codes and Standards: Knowledge of relevant codes and standards such as ASCE 7, ACI 318, and AISC is necessary in foundation engineering.
Computer Applications: Various computer applications such as finite element analysis, slope stability software, and foundation design software are used in geotechnical engineering.
Shallow Foundations: These foundations are designed to transmit the building loads to the underlying soil at a shallow depth. These are preferred when the soil has adequate bearing capacity and is free from any adverse geological conditions.
Deep Foundations: These are designed to transmit the building loads to the deeper soil layers or rocks when the shallow soil layer is not capable of bearing the load. The most commonly used deep foundation types are piles, drilled shafts, and caissons.
Pile Foundations: Pile foundations are used when the shallow soil layer is not capable of bearing the building loads. These are long, slender structural elements made of concrete, steel or timber that are driven, drilled or jacked into the underlying soil or rock to transfer the loads.
Drilled Shaft Foundations: Drilled shaft foundations are another deep foundation option used when high load-carrying capacity is required. These are constructed by excavating a hole in the soil or rock and then filling it with reinforced concrete.
Caisson Foundations: Caisson foundations are hollow structures built on the surface and then sunk into the ground to form a foundation. They are largely used to support the high-rise buildings and bridges.
Earth-Retaining Structures: Earth-retaining structures are the foundation system used to retain the soil either for construction purposes, or to prevent landslides or negative impacts on natural resources. Commonly used systems are retaining walls, reinforced soil slopes, and ground anchors.
Slope Stability: Slope stability is the foundation system used to prevent the failure of slopes due to geological or other factors. Commonly used systems are drilled piers, soil nailing, micropiles, and rock bolts.
Soil Improvement Techniques: Soil improvement techniques are used to modify the strength and stiffness of the soil to increase its bearing capacity. Techniques such as soil stabilization, soil compaction, and grouting are commonly used.
Ground Improvement Techniques: Ground improvement techniques are used to improve the soil or rock strength and stiffness to increase load-carrying capacity. Techniques such as stone columns, jet grouting, and dynamic compaction are commonly used.
Remediation Works: Remediation works are used to repair, enhance, or modify the foundation system to reduce the effect of any current geological or man-made issues. Techniques such as soil vacuum treatment, chemical in-situ grouting, and soil replacement are commonly used.
"Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep."
"Foundation engineering is the application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundation elements of structures."
"...connecting it to the ground or more rarely, water (like with floating structures), transferring loads from the structure to the ground."
"...transferring loads from the structure to the ground."
"Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep."
"Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep."
"...soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering)."
"...the element of a structure which connects it to the ground..."
"...water (like with floating structures)..."
"Soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundation elements of structures."
"Foundation engineering is the application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering)..."
"The application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundation elements of structures."
"The design of foundation elements of structures."
"...connecting it to the ground or more rarely, water (like with floating structures)..."
"Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep."
"Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep."
"Soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering)..."
"Soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering)..."
"The design of foundation elements of structures."