Basics in Building Construction

Basics in Building Construction 4(2+2)

Lesson 02 : Shallow Foundations

Introduction

The lowest artificially prepared part of the structure which is in direct contact with the ground and which transmit the loads of the structure to the ground is called the foundation or substructure. The most important part of a building is its foundation. The safety, stability and soundness of the structure depend upon it. The base of the foundation which comes in direct contact with the ground distributes the load of the structure on a wide area and transmits the same directly to the ground. The soil which is located immediately below the base of the foundation is called the sub-soil or foundation soil.