23/11/2024
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Substructure | Foundation:
Foundation and substructure are two essential components of a building construction.
The substructure refers to the part of a building that is below the ground level or the foundation. It includes the foundation, basement, and any other underground structures. While, the substructure is designed to provide support to the superstructure (the part of the building above ground level) and to transfer loads to the foundation. While the foundation is the lowest part of a building that transfers the weight of the structure to the ground. Its primary function is to distribute the load evenly and prevent settlement or movement of the building.
There are different types of foundations, including:
1. Shallow (spread footing, mat slab)
2. Deep (pile foundation, caisson foundation)
Without a well-executed foundation your building construction project is liable to failure
Idea Steps involve in proper foundation of a building:
◾ Preliminary Investigations including soil bearing capacity and other checks are carried out on the project site.
This information guides the structural engineering recommendation on the type of foundation fit for the soil and structure coming on it.
◾ Site preparation and excavation: This involves site clearing, excavation, and floor blinding.
◾ Depending on the type of foundation block laying and reinforcement bars are placed in the designated sections.
◾ Formworks are the constructed to form the concrete columns or the entire foundational structure as required by the engineer's specifications.
◾ Back filling the new foundation sections and compactions are then done as a final step to complete the foundation.
These steps are the intricate processes that make up the average construction project foundation.
However, in the case of skyscrapers, there are specialised requirements for the foundation which will require boring and more complex concrete pouring efforts.
Ultimately, for all sizes of building projects, stakeholders must seek the professional advice of engineers, builders, and architects at all stages of the project especially starting at the foundation level.