Foundations

Question 1

Foundations early 1900s

Answer 1

Corbelled/stepped brickwork footing supported by concrete strip

Question 2

Typical foundations around the end of the 1800s

Answer 2

1) No foundations
2) Concrete strip foundation
3) Bricked footing with step to base
4) Bricked footing on concrete foundation
5) Stone on rubble/flagstone foundation
6) Brick rubble/flagstone foundation

Question 3

Dead loads

Answer 3

Bricks, blocks, cement, timber and tiles

Question 4

Imposed live loads

Answer 4

Occupants, snow, fittings, wind etc

Question 5

Bearing capacity

Answer 5

The load which the subsoil can carry

Question 6

Bearing pressure

Answer 6

The pressure on the subsoil caused by the building load

Question 7

Compaction

Answer 7

The act of increasing the density and strength of a material by the application of impact forces e.g. heavy roller

Question 8

Consolidation

Answer 8

The act of increasing the density and strength of the subsoil by the expulsion of water and air and self weight and constant external loading

Question 9

Dead load

Answer 9

Load exerted on the subsoil by the structure of a building plus it’s permanent fixtures and fittings

Question 10

Heave

Answer 10

Expansion of the soil due to climatic and other factors e.g. frost or removal of trees

Question 11

Imposed live load

Answer 11

The load exerted on the subsoil by the content of the building e.g. people and Furniture and external loads e.g. snow on the roof

Question 12

Settlement

Answer 12

Downward movement of the ground or any structure on it, due to soil consolidation as a result of the load applied by the structure of the building

Question 13

Soil creep

Answer 13

 The slow movement of rock and soil down a slope under the influence of gravity, often triggered by the presence of a high water content

Question 14

Subsidence

Answer 14

Downward movement of the ground, or any building on it, due to changes within the subsoil

Question 15

Strip foundations

Answer 15

Question 16

Wide strip foundations

Answer 16

Question 17

Stepped strip foundation

Answer 17

Question 18

Construction of a traditional strip foundation

Answer 18

Question 19

Strip foundations come in three main variations:

Answer 19

Narrow, wide and deep/trench-fill.

Stepped strip can be used with all three variations

Question 20

Traditional strip foundations

Answer 20

Question 21

Trench fill foundations

Answer 21

Question 22

Raft foundation is

Answer 22

Question 23

Pile foundations

Answer 23

Question 24

Pile foundation types

Answer 24

1) End bearing piles

2) Friction piles

Question 25

Subsoils and suitability for house foundation

Answer 25