CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO DEEP
FOUNDATIONS

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 1.1 Introduction
Foundation is the lowest part of structure which provides a base for the super structure.

The foundation is provided for the following four main purpose :

1. To distribute the weight of the structure over large area of the soil beneath.

2. To load the substratum evenly and thus prevent unequal settlement.

3. To provide a level surface for building operations.

4. To take the structure deep into the ground and thus increase its stability, preventing
overturning.

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Foundations

Shallow Foundations Deep Foundations

Spread Combined Strap Strip Mat Pile Pier Caisson/ Well

Footings Footings Footings Footings Foundations Foundation Foundation Foundation

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firm ground

bed rock weak soil

bed rock
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Foundation is defined as deep foundation when D>B

Deep foundations are more expensive than shallow foundation but will overcome problems
of soft surface soils by transferring load to stronger, deeper stratum, thereby reducing
settlements.

Deep foundations are employed when the soil strata immediately beneath the structure are
not capable of supporting the load with tolerable settlement or adequate safety against shear
failure.

They are normally used to carry very heavy loads such as those from bridge piers or multi-
storeyed buildings.

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 1.2 Need for Deep Foundations
When the strata of good bearing capacity is not available near the ground, the foundation of
the structure has to be taken deep with the purpose of attaining a bearing stratum which is
suitable in all respect.

In addition there may be many other conditions which may require deep foundation for
ensuring stability and durability of a structure. For example the foundation of a bridge pier is
placed much below the scour depth ,although suitable bearing stratum may exist at a higher
level.

Generally deep foundation is one that transmits some or all of the applied load to soils well
bellow the ground surface.

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Some conditions that require deep foundations

1) When one or more upper soil layers are highly compressible and too weak to support the
load transmitted by the supper structure.

2) When subjected to horizontal forces, deep foundations like piles resist by bending, while
still supporting the vertical load transmitted by the supper structure.

This type of situation is generally encountered in the design and construction of earth
retaining structures and foundations of tall structures that are subjected to high wind
or to earthquake force.

3) When expansive and collapsible soils present at the site.

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4) When The foundations of some structures, such as transmission towers, offshore
platforms, and basement mats below the water table, are subjected to uplifting forces.
deep foundations are sometimes used to resist the uplifting force.

5) For structures near flowing water (Bridge abutments, etc.) to avoid the loss of bearing
capacity that a shallow foundation might suffer because of soil erosion at the ground surface,
deep foundations like piles are recommended over shallow foundations.

6) When the rock level is shallow enough for end bearing pile foundations provide a more
economical design.

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 1.3 Types of Deep Foundations
The most common types of deep foundations are

• Piles

• Piers

• Wells/Caissions

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1) Pile
is a slender structural member made of steel, concrete or wood.

A pile is either driven into the soil or formed in-situ by excavating a hole and filling it with
concrete.

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2) Pier
A pier is a vertical column of relatively large cross-section than a pile (> 750mm).

A pier is installed in a dry area excavating a cylindrical hole of large diameter to the desired
depth and then backfilling it with concrete.

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Piers can be used in most cases requiring pile foundations. Where the site soil requires use of
deep foundations one should make a comparative analysis to determine whether piles or piers are
more economical.

Piers have the following advantages:

• They eliminate the need for pile caps, for dowels can be placed in the wet concrete at the
required plan location (even if pier center is slightly misaligned) for direct column
attachment.

• They use fewer but with larger diameter shafts.

• Their use eliminates much of the vibration and noise associated with pile driving.

• They can go through a boulder soil where driven piles might be deflected.
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• It is easy to enlarge the top portion of the pier shaft to allow for larger bending moments.

• Almost any diameter shaft in the range of 0.46 to 3.5 m can be produced.

There are a few disadvantages:

• They cannot be used if a suitable bearing stratum is not close enough to the ground
surface (and assuming that the soil to the competent stratum is unreliable for skin
resistance).

• Bad weather conditions may make drilling and/or concreting difficult.

• There may be ground loss if adequate precautions are not taken.

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3) Caisson/Well
A caisson is a type of foundation of the shape of hollow prismatic box, which is built above the
ground and then sunk to the required depth as a single unit.

It is a watertight box or chamber used for laying foundation under water.

Types of Caissons
a) Open Caissons:

These are structures which are open at top and bottom (i.e., well foundations). Upon reaching the
final depth, a concrete seal of 2–5 m thick is cast through water (if present) to seal the bottom.

After the seal has matured, the water present inside the caisson is pumped out and filled with
concrete.
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b) Box Caissons (Floating Caissons):
These are made of concrete with the top being open and the bottom closed. These are cast on
land and towed to the site like barges.

They are sunk slowly by filling the inside with sand, gravel, water and concrete.

Sometimes the bottom is made of wood to make it float for towing purposes.

c) Pneumatic Caissons:

In this type of caisson, the top is sealed and compressed air is used to prevent water from
entering the inside working chamber.

This will help in sinking and concreting in dry condition.

On reaching the required depth, the chamber is filled with concrete.
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