CAUSES OF
FOUNDATION
FAILURES AND IT’S
REMEDIES
INTRODUCTION:
� Foundation of engineering constructions are
systems that act like interface elements to
transmit the loads from superstructure to, and
into,the underlaying soil or rock over a wider
area at reduced pressure.
� Engineering structures despite being
constructed with adequate strength and safety
measures do fail or collapse.
� Failures is an unacceptable difference between
expected and observed performance.
� Foundation design is a highly specialized field
of geotechnical engineering.
FOUNDATION:
� FOUNDATION : A foundation is the element of a
structure which connects to the ground, and
transfers the load from the structure to the
ground.
� The purpose of a foundation is to support the
structure and distribute the weight of that
structure so it settles to the ground evenly
rather than unevenly.
� A foundation structure essentially consists of
two parts :
� The super structure which is above the plinth
TYPES OF FOUNDATION :
� Foundations are classified into two types. They
are :
� Shallow foundation
� Deep foundation
� Shallow foundation : A shallow foundation is
defined as one whose depth is smaller than
it’s width (D<B).
� Deep foundation : A deep foundation is
defined as one whose depth is greater than
it’s width (D>B).
Shallow and deep foundation are
sub divided into :
Shallow foundation Deep foundation
� Strip footing � Basements
� Spread or isolated � Buoyancy rafts
footing � Caissons
� Combined footing , � Cylinders
cantilever footing or
strap footing � Shaft foundation
� Mat or raft � Pile foundation
foundation
Causes of foundation failures :
� Load transfer failure
� Drag down and heave
� Collapsible soils
� Lateral loads
� Construction error
� Water level fluctuation
� Earthquakes
� Vibration effect
Load transfer failures :
� The objective of the foundation is to transfer
the lod of super structure to the foundation soil
on a wider area.
� Factor of safety is provided in geotechnical
design includes
a) The natural heterogeneity
b)Measurement error
c) Modern transformation uncertainity
� Classic examples of bearing capacity failures ;
�TRANSCONA GRAIN ELEVATOR IN 1913.
TRANSCO GRAIN ELEVATOR FAILURE IN 1913
Drag down and heave:
� In plastic soils, new settlements are often
accompanied by upper movements and heave
some distance away.
� Similar problems of heave and constructions is
observed when foundation is placed in
extremely cod conditions (below the freezing
point)
� In swelling and shrinking soils , hot dry wind
and intense heat will often cause the soil to
Collapsible soils:
� The most kind of expansive soils and clay can
absorb so much water so much water that it
can swell by several hundred percent.
� The pressure from this degree of swelling can
easily lift or sink most residential homes.
� Soils expand moisture and they contract with
dessication, causing up and down movements
known as differential settlement
Construction error:
� Mainly there are two types of common construction errors;
� Temporary protection measures (Error relating to temporary
shoring , bracings and temporary coffer dams).
� Foundation work itself is another error.
� So care should be taken to eradicate these kind if errors.
Water level fluctuation:
� Presence of water table at a depth less than the width of the
foundation from the foundation bottom will reduce the bearing
capacity of the soil.
� Lesser the depth , harder it is to build a strong foundation as
the soil will have a low bearing capacity.
� The level of water table can naturally change over time due to
changes in weather cycles and precipitation.
� Rising in the water content in the soil may cause reduction in
strength of the soil that can lead to slope failures.
Earthquakes:
� During earthquakes, the foundation of the building moves with
the ground and the superstructure and it’s content shake as
well as vibrates in an irregular manner due to inertia of their
masses.
� Damages to the foundation and structiures may result from
different seismic effects :
� Ground failures
� Vibrations transmitted from ground to structure
� Ground cracking
� Liquefaction
� Lateral spreadings and landslides
Vibration effect:
� Construction activities such as blasting , pile driving , dynamic
compaction of loose soil and operation of heavy construction
equuipment induce ground and structure vibrations.
� Ground vibrations from construction sources may affect
adjacent and remote structures in three major ways, i.e.,
� structure vibration with/without effect of resonance
� dynamic settlement due to soil densification
� pile driving and accumulated effects of repeated loads
Preventive meausres:
� Underpinning such as use of steel piers,helical
anchors and micro piles.
� Controlling the ground water.
� Soil stabilization with lime, lime-fly ash,
portland cement etc.
� Proper analysis and design.
� Landscape irrigation should be restricted.
� Proper planning of sub surface exploration.
� Soil nailing technique.
� Monitoring and control of ground and
vibrations.
� Densification, deep dynamic compaction.
Conclusion:
� The paper reviewed and discussed the various
causes of foundation as well as their possible
preventive or remedial measures through case
studies.
� The work will be useful for practicing engineers
in identifying the potential foundation problem
in advance and taking necessary and
appropriate action for mitigation purpose
Presented by:
[Link] TEJA
� (16X31A0107)
[Link] TEJA (16X31A0107)
[Link]
� [Link]
(16X31A0119)(16X31A0119)
� [Link] (16X31A0131)
[Link]
(16X31A0131)
� [Link]
[Link] (16X31A0139)
(16X31A0139)
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