Shallow foundation

Shallow foundation

In this article, I discussed the shallow foundation, the purpose of providing it, and its types.

A shallow foundation is a type of foundation in which the depth of the foundation is small as compared to the width of the foundation.

Shallow foundations, also known as spread footings or pad foundations, are a type of foundation that is used to transfer the loads from a structure to the underlying soil. They are typically used when the soil near the ground surface has sufficient bearing capacity to support the applied loads.

Purpose 

Shallow foundations are designed to distribute the loads from the structure over a larger area of the soil to prevent excessive settlement and ensure the stability of the structure. 

They are commonly used for small to medium-sized structures such as residential buildings, light commercial buildings, and shallow-depth structures.

Types of Shallow Foundations

Isolated footings, combined footings, strip footings, and mat or raft foundations. The choice of the foundation type depends on factors such as the load magnitude, soil characteristics, and structural requirements.