What is a Shallow Foundation?

A shallow foundation is a type of foundation which transfers building

loads to the earth very near the surface, rather than to a subsurface layer or a
range of depths as does a deep foundation. Shallow foundations include spread
footing foundations, mat-slab foundations, slab-on-grade foundations, pad
foundations, rubble trench foundations and earth bag foundations.

In ground reinforced concrete foundation in cyclonic area, Northern Australia.

A spread footing foundation, which is typical in residential building, has

a wider bottom portion than the load-bearing foundation walls it supports. This
wider part "spreads" the weight of the structure over more area for greater
stability.
The design and layout of spread footings is controlled by several factors,
foremost of which is the weight (load) of the structure it will support as well as
penetration of soft near-surface layers, and penetration through near-surface
layers likely to change volume due to frost heave or shrink-swell.
These foundations are common in residential construction that includes
a basement, and in many commercial structures. But for high rise buildings
they are not sufficient.

A spread footing which changes elevation in several places in a series of

vertical "steps" in order to follow the contours of a sloping site or accommodate
changes in soil strata, is termed a stepped footing.

What is a Deep Foundation?

A deep foundation transmits the structure loads to soil/rock that is
deeper in the ground; as contrasted to a shallow foundation, which transmits
the structure load to the soil/rock that is relatively close to the ground. Deep
foundation systems are used in those instances where a shallow foundation is
not possible, not practical, or will not carry the load.

A deep foundation installation for a bridge in Napa, California, United States (Left). Sheet
piles are used to restrain soft soil above the bedrock in this excavation (Right).

There are many reasons a geotechnical engineer would recommend a

deep foundation over a shallow foundation, but some of the common reasons
are very large design loads, a poor soil at shallow depth, or site constraints (like
property lines).
There are different terms used to describe different types of deep
foundations including the pile (which is analogous to a pole), the pier (which is
analogous to a column), drilled shafts, and caissons. Piles are generally driven
into the ground in situ; other deep foundations are typically put in place using
excavation and drilling.

The naming conventions may vary between engineering disciplines and

firms. Deep foundations can be made out of timber, steel, reinforced concrete or
prestressed concrete.

Types of Slab and Walls (Precast and Prestressed):

Concrete slabs are common foundation/floor systems in many parts of
the world, particularly in warmer climates with soils that are stable. Slabs are
either designed to be monolithic (turned down) or poured within a typical
(concrete or masonry) foundation.
Monolithic Slabs
In a simple monolithic slab, the slab and
the footing are one and the same, with the
footing (at the perimeter of the slab and under
any load -bearing walls) being "turned down" a
little deeper than the floor area.

requirements.

The footing portion of the slab may or

may not be reinforced with steel (rebars),
depending on soil conditions and local code

The footing is set up and poured at the

same time as the slab. This is done by digging
the footing and forming the outside edge typically with 2x lumber held in place with
stakes and bracing until the concrete cures.

Post-Tensioned or Engineered Slabs

Another form of monolithic slab is the

post-tensioned or "engineered" slab. This slab
has steel cables running through it in both
directions.
Once the slab has cured, the cables
are stretched and secured at each end so
that a force is placed on the slab. This makes
the slab tougher and more crack resistant.
We recommend that this type of
construction be designed, inspected, and certified by a qualified engineer. That
means your engineer, or his representative, should inspect the slab setup just
prior to actually pouring the concrete. In the case of a post-tensioned slab, he
should also supervise that process after the slab is poured.
Engineered slabs are more common in areas where active soils or soils
with very poor bearing capacity are present.

Slabs with Foundation Walls

In this type of slab, the edge of the slab
is supported by the foundation wall. In
the middle it will rest directly on the
ground.
With this type of slab, chances are there
will some backfilling of dirt within the
foundation walls to provide a supporting
surface for the slab.
This fill material should be good clean
soil (no debris or vegetation) and
compacted with a mechanical tamper to
minimize settling away from the bottom
of the slab.
In areas where termites are a threat, get your pest control sub to treat
the sand and soil under the slab for termites before laying the poly.

In cases where the filled area is especially deep (over three feet),
additional support for the slab can be easily provided by digging down to
undisturbed soil with a post hole digger every eight to ten feet on center.
That will allow the concrete to flow down into the holes and provide
additional support for the slab. Another method of providing additional support
for the slab is to build some piers for it to rest on.

Retrofitting:
Retrofitting is the process of modifying something after it has been
manufactured.
For buildings, this means making changes to the systems inside the
building or even the structure itself at some point after its initial construction
and occupation.

Retrofitting of a Freeway Structure.

Typically this is done with the expectation of improving amenities for the
buildings occupants and/or improving the performance of the building. The
development of new technologies mean that building retrofits can allow for
significant reductions in energy and water usage.

Composite Construction Method:

Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building
construction involving multiple dissimilar materials. Composite construction is
often used in building aircraft, watercraft, and building construction. There are
several reasons to use composite materials including increased strength,
aesthetics, and environmental sustainability. It is not to be confused with the

Composite order which is a specific order of classical architecture that

combines elements of the Ionic and Corinthian orders.
Composite construction is a method of construction that is used in a
variety of engineering and building applications. Employing dissimilar
components, such as concrete and steel or fiberglass and foam, for a single use
or structure is called composite construction. The goal of composite
construction is the unification of the individual component properties to create
a composite material that possesses the desired properties of all component
pieces.

Pairing concrete and rebar for added strength is an example of composite construction.

Composite construction can enhance the strength of a single component,

such as reinforced concrete that uses steel rebar to enhance the strength of the
concrete. By pairing the concrete with the steel rebar, the original strength of
the concrete is improved. This is because the rebar helps spread any impact or
load exerted on the concrete evenly over a larger area.