University Taster
Civil Engineering – University Taster
3.2 Foundations
Foundations transfer loads from the superstructure to the underlying soil or rock, ensuring stability and preventing settlementThe act of establishing a community in a new area.. Understanding soil properties, foundation types, bearing capacity calculations, and settlement methods is crucial for civil engineers to design safe, stable, and cost-effective foundations.
Foundations
Eurocode 7 (EN 1997-1: Geotechnical Design – Part 1: General Rules) provides comprehensive guidelines for designing shallow and deep foundations, emphasising safety, reliability, and environmental compatibility.
The types of foundations are broadly categorised into:
- Shallow Foundations: Spread footings and raft (or mat) foundations
- Deep Foundations: Pile foundations and drilled shafts (caissons)
The selection depends on factors such as load magnitude, soil conditions, and site constraints.
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