How to Design Economical

Foundations and Prevent

Construction Issues at Site?
https://theconstructor.org/structural-engg/design-economical-foundations-prevent-
construction-issues/19570/

There are various considerations for design of economical foundations and practical
construction issues to prevent problems in future and make the foundation
economical.

These practical construction problems for foundation and its costs are discussed in the
following sections.

How to Design Economical

Foundations and Prevent
Construction Issues at Site?
Foundation practical construction problems and costs include:

o Make the foundation shallow

o Reduce foundation construction cost

o Awareness of structural designer

o Prevent the use of expensive and complex formworks

o Reliability of site investigation

o The decision to consider fast or slow foundation construction

o Effect of foundation construction on the ground and structures at vicinity of the

foundation

o Variations in foundation geometry and necessity of different joints

o Impact of undesired factors on constructed foundation

Make the Foundation Shallow for
Economy
It is recommended to make the foundation as shallow as possible. The size should be
optimized to sufficiently support loads and withstand environmental influences and
excessive foundation depth and width should be prevented.

Fig.1: Shallow Foundation

The importance of this measure would be paramount in the case where the foundation
is constructed in fully saturated soil in which simple issues are exacerbated due to
water presence and the cost is almost doubled compared to the foundation constructed
in dry soil condition.
 Fig.2: Foundation Construction in Saturated Soil

Reduce Cost of Foundation

Construction
This might be obtained through a continuous revision of construction techniques and
costs because not only the economy of design varies considerably but also applicable
standard might be out dated.

Awareness of Structural Designer

There are certain design and construction aspects that designers must be aware. For
example, assumptions made during the design, ground condition variability and
practicality of construction.

If the designer has enough capability to understand these crucial aspects of the
foundation design and construction, then not only will the final design be economical
but also its construction can be executed satisfactorily and undesired events can be
prevented, both during construction and in the future.

Prevent the Use of Expensive and

Complex Formworks
The designer is encouraged to make his or her design in such a way that foundation
structures does not need complex and expensive formworks. It is advised to practice
utmost attention on the foundation constructability.
For instance, there were cases in which the site engineer had to inspect 2m deep
excavation from ground surface to decide on whether the foundation base should be
constructed on compacted soil layer or on the bottom of the excavation.

So, this inspection could have been made on trial pits rather than on such deep
foundation that need more time to reach a feasible decision.

Fig.3: Formwork for Foundation

Reliability of Site Investigation
Another issue that may be encountered is the reliability of soil investigation report. If
the investigation had not been conducted properly, then the foundation will face
problems in the future and sometimes problems arises and is observed during
construction.

Cases have been reported in which the cost of the foundation construction has
increased due to incompetent soil investigation. So, if the soil exploration is not
finalized properly, then it cannot be guaranteed that the construction progress as it
planned.
 Fig.4: Site Investigation for Foundation Construction
The Decision to Consider Fast or Slow
Foundation Construction
It may be found that the cost of foundation construction can be reduced or low budget
would be required if slow construction procedure is used. However, this may not be
always true because there are circumstances in which fast construction would provide
more economical foundation structure.

The project site condition plays significant role on whether accelerated or slow
construction procedure should be utilized.

Fast construction is desired especially in the saturated soil condition because

dewatering for long time would be considerably expensive.

Sometimes dewatering system cannot operate for long time without damages or
problems, as a result underground water would increase construction cost
considerably. In this case, the best solution is accelerated construction.

It might be argued that the cost of fast construction is high but this is will be
compensated by future maintenance and repair cost that may be needed when slow
Construction is used.

Fig.5: Foundation Construction

Effect of Foundation Construction on
Ground and Structures at Vicinity
of Foundation
The designer should understand the influence of machines and excavations on the
structures close to the construction site.

Compaction of ground by compaction plant, deterioration of soil exposed due to

excavation in aggressive environment, seasonal water table fluctuation and piling
vibrations are examples of foundation construction effects that could cause damages to
structures and utilities close to the project.

Fig.6: Differential Settlement due to Pile Driving

Variations in Foundation Geometry
and Necessity of Different Joints
The designer should appreciate the influence of changes in the length, shape and
rigidity of the foundation, in addition to joints required to accommodate settlement
and movement of the foundation.

Impact of Undesired Factors on

Constructed Foundation
There are various factors that could lead to deterioration and damage foundation after
it has been constructed.

Ground movement due to shrinkage of clay and frost heave, influence of trees, sulfate
attack on concrete, construction of new structure close to the building and placement
of new equipment in neighboring factory that generate vibrations are all examples of
factors that could affect foundation.

Therefore, the designer needs to take these factors into consideration at the design
stage.

Read More:
What is Foundation in Construction? Purpose and the
Functions of Foundations
Cost of Pile Foundation vs. Other Foundations for
Construction Projects
How to Protect Foundation Structures from Soils and
Groundwater Attacks?
Factors Affecting Selection of Foundation for Buildings