Foundations are the most crucial part of any structure, especially for high-rise buildings, as they support the entire structure above them. Therefore, selecting the correct type of foundation for a high-rise building is essential to ensure the building's safety and longevity.
This article provides information on the different types of foundations for high-rise buildings that you need to know. So, let's dive into the complete overview below.
High-Rise Building Foundations
A foundation is the lower part of a building that supports the entire load and transfers it to the ground. Here are some types of foundations for high-rise buildings that you should know about.
1. Deep Foundations
Deep foundations are typically used when the ground surface is not strong enough to support the building's load. To address this, deep foundations are installed, penetrating through weak soil layers until they reach more stable, hard ground. Here are some types of deep foundations:
a. Chicken Claw Foundation
Chicken claw foundation is a type of deep foundation designed specifically to address challenges with soft or unstable soils. The name “chicken claw” comes from its shape, as the name suggests, with piles driven deep into the ground and connected by a concrete slab.
b. Bored Pile
The Bored Pile foundation is another popular type of deep foundation used in buildings on hard or rocky soils. The process starts by drilling into the ground until a layer capable of bearing the building's load is reached.
After the borehole is formed, steel reinforcement bars are placed inside as a reinforcing framework. The borehole is then filled with high-quality concrete.
2. Shallow Foundations
Next, we have shallow foundations, placed on soil layers strong enough to support the building's load. This type of foundation is commonly used for low to mid-rise buildings because it's easy to apply and more cost-effective. Here are some types of shallow foundations for high-rise buildings:
a. Slab Foundation
The slab foundation is one of the most popular types of foundations in building construction. As the name suggests, this foundation is a reinforced concrete slab that covers the entire bottom of the building. The concept is similar to placing a building on a solid concrete plate.
It's important to note that slab foundations are highly stable, particularly for multi-story buildings or structures on less dense soil. Additionally, this type of foundation is also suitable for uneven terrain because it can adapt to irregular soil contours, making the construction process more efficient.
b. Spread Footing Foundation
Another type of shallow foundation is the spread footing, which has a square or rectangular shape. This foundation is placed directly beneath the building's columns to support concentrated loads at specific points. The depth and size of the spread footing will be adjusted based on the load it needs to bear and the soil conditions at the construction site.
The spread footing is particularly suitable for low to mid-rise buildings with concentrated loads, such as residential homes, office buildings, or small factories. The advantage of this foundation is its relatively simple construction and lower cost compared to deep foundations. However, spread footings are less suitable for soft soils or those with low bearing capacity.
3. Floating Foundations
Next, we have floating foundations, a specialized foundation system for buildings constructed on soft soils, such as peat or soft clay. This foundation works by distributing the building's load over a larger area, reducing the pressure on the soil.
This design allows the building to "float" on soft soil without experiencing significant settlement. Here are some types of floating foundations:
a. Flouting Foundations
The floating foundation operates on the principle of placing large, thick concrete boxes on soft soil. When the building's load presses downward, the foundation compresses into the soft soil. However, due to the large surface area of the foundation, the pressure is evenly distributed, preventing excessive soil settlement.
b. Floating Raft Foundation
The floating raft foundation is another type of foundation often used for buildings with light loads. This foundation system relies on a series of horizontally arranged concrete beams as the primary support for the building. These beams help distribute the building's load evenly across the entire surface of the ground.
4. Excavated Foundations
The last type of foundation for high-rise buildings is the excavated foundation. This foundation is created by digging into the ground until reaching a hard soil layer, which is then filled with concrete. One type of excavated foundation is the pile foundation.
A pile foundation is made by driving piles into the ground until they reach a hard soil layer. These piles can be made of concrete, steel, or wood. Although pile foundations are technically a type of deep foundation, they are often mentioned separately due to their widespread use.
Factors Influencing the Choice of Foundation Type
After learning about the different types of foundations for high-rise buildings, it's essential to understand the factors that influence the choice of foundation. Here’s an explanation:
1. Soil Type
The soil's bearing capacity, density, permeability, potential for expansion, and type (such as clay, sand, or rock) play a significant role in determining the foundation type. For example, hard, dense soils generally require shallow foundations, while soft soils necessitate deep foundations.
2. Building Load
The building load includes the weight of the building structure, dead loads from building materials, and live loads, such as occupants, furniture, and vehicles. The heavier the load, the stronger the foundation required.
3. Depth of Stable Soil
The depth of stable soil is where the soil has sufficient bearing capacity to support the building load without excessive settlement. If the stable soil layer is deep beneath the surface, an excavated foundation like a pile foundation is necessary.
4. Groundwater Conditions
If the groundwater level is high, the pressure on the soil increases, reducing its bearing capacity. Therefore, the foundation must be designed to withstand the water pressure. For example, in areas with high groundwater levels, pile foundations with concrete shoes are often used to prevent soil erosion around the piles.
In conclusion, choosing the right type of foundation is a critical step in constructing a strong and durable high-rise building. By considering factors such as soil type, building load, and seismic activity, you can select the most suitable foundation type.
Additionally, consulting with geotechnical and structural experts is highly recommended to get the best foundation recommendations for high-rise buildings.
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