Week 4 Reading
Overview
This week we will consider how the nature of different soils impacts on the design of typical foundations for framed structures. Framed buildings can exert very substantial loads on the soil, and some can rise to great heights. The foundations for very tall buildings must be substantial; not just to support the vertical loads, but also to prevent overturning.
In larger buildings, substantial basement structures can form the substructure. In this module, we do not address basement construction. This week’s learning concentrates on the construction of foundation substructures – the part of a building built within or beneath the soil.
We will look at this by starting with the perspective of site investigation (an often-overlooked part of substructure which, as you will see, can come at a significant cost to the overall project cost).
You will explore the methods of foundation construction which respond to both the various ground conditions and the nature of the framed superstructure.
There are many variations of the common methods of foundation construction adopted for framed structures. Unlike masonry buildings, where the structural loads are continuous and spread along the length of all the structural loadbearing walls. In framed construction loads are concentrated onto columns. This requires a different approach in terms of design and construction.
We also strengthen your understanding of the nature of construction drawings and offer you the opportunity to undertake some drawing practice too.
By completing the activities this week, you should be able to:
• Recognise what the stages of a site investigation are and be able to identify the main soil classifications;
• Explain the link between site investigation, the site’s soil and the foundation;
• Explain the key foundation types for framed buildings and where and when they may be selected;
• Better understand how construction drawings are put together.
CIS – Part 4, Substructures
