Type of Foundation Depending On the Ground Conditions Assignment - 1

Type of Foundation Depending On the Ground Conditions - Assignment Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the problem with the chalk is that it is highly porous and its structure contains excessive voids in it. Hence there is a high possibility of water transmission through chalk layers. In case the water table rises there will be no obstruction offered by chalk therefore it will reach the foundation level and eventually enter the structure; this is why we are using trench fill, as we know concrete is a compact and non porous material it will give water and damp proofing to the foundation and walls as well as structural stability as well and eventually there is very less settlement. The other reason for the trench fill foundation is the presence of clay which has expansive and swelling properties when water enters it, due to this property whenever the clay comes in interaction of water it bulges and swell hence produces an uplift pressure which results into a danger of differential and localized movement of foundation wh ich leads to stresses and instability in the structure. This problem is largely minimized with trench fill footing in which reinforced concrete component counteracts the uplift force hence no settlement is seen. Then another rationale which makes the choice of trench fill detrimental is the foundation depth restriction which is made by the chalk layer at 1m depth and as a result now we can not go to greater depths for foundations and have to select a foundation that sustains the load within this 1 m, in that case, we are left with no other solution but to select trench fill foundation. In a different part of the site, the ground conditions are very different with a soil of poor and uneven bearing capacity. This essay also explores what type of foundation should be used in this location. Now the problem in this situation is the soils weak bearing capacity and less strength to sustain loads without letting them penetrate or move. There are two solutions to this problem one is to chang e the soil in that area with a suitable soil but that is not going to be the option here. On the other hand, another solution to the problem can be to somehow to reduce the load on the soil so that it can support the structure and for that reduction in the load we are going to use a different type of foundation which would be the Mat foundation.