The different types of foundations and their suitability is specified below in the tabulated form:
Type of Foundation
Suitability
Spread footing foundation
This type of foundation can normally be used for three to four-storied buildings on a common type of alluvial soil.
Stepped Foundation.
This type of foundation is provided in hilly places or in those situations where the ground is sloppy.
Pile Foundations
It is used in the following situations:
- 1.When it is not economical to provide spread foundations and hard soil is at a greater depth.
- When it is very expensive to provide raft or grillage foundations.
- When heavy concentrated loads are to be taken up by the foundations.
- When the topsoil is of compressible nature.
- When there is a chance of construction of irrigation canals in the nearby area.
- In the case of bridges when the scouring is more in the river bed.
- In marshy places.
Raft Foundations
This type of foundation is also recommended in such situations where the bearing capacity of the soil is very poor, the load of the structure is distributed over the whole floor area, or where a structure is subjected to constant shocks or jerks.
Well Foundations
This is generally provided for the construction of bridge piers and the foundations are to be carried out in deep sandy soils of soft soils.