01 Substructure

Question 1

How do ground condition influence the design and type of foundation used?

Answer 1

• Different soil types have diverse load beargin capacity
• Type of trees and proximity to the area of works, if less than 30m the trees can impact the foundation.
• History of the site i.e. contaminated land, mining
• Ground water table levels affects the load bearing capacity of the soil

Question 2

What is meant by the term water table and how does if affect construction?

Question 3

What is a CBR (Carlifonia Bearing Ratio) test?

Question 4

What is Vane shear testing?

Question 5

Describe the different ways of dealing with water in excavations?

Question 6

What is the purpose of foundations?

Answer 6

To safely sustain and transmit the the combined dead, imposed and environmental loads in such a manner as not to cause settlement or any movement.

The type of foundation is determined the existing ground conditions and trees - presence/absence.

Question 7

Describe the different ways of dealing with ground water in excavations?

Question 8

What factors would you need to consider when designing foundations?

Answer 8

1. Soil type
2. Water Table
3. Proximity to trees

Question 8

Name some different types of foundations

Answer 8

A. Strip
B. Raft
C. Pile

Question 8

What is a strip foundation?

Question 8

What material have commonly been used for strip foundations?

Question 9

Under what conditions would you expect a strip foundation to be used for a substructure?

Question 10

What is the difference between a strip foundation and deep strip foundation and why might the latter be adventageous?

Question 11

Why did deep strip foundations become common?

Question 12

What is a raft foundation?

Question 13

Under what conditions would you expect a raft foundation to be used?

Question 14

Where would you expect to find the main reinforcement in a raft foundation to be used and why?

Question 15

What are pile foundations

Question 16

When did pile foundations start being used?

Question 17

Under what condition would you expect a pile foundation to be used for supstructure?

Question 18

What different types of piling are you familiar with?

Question 19

How can pile foundations be installed?

Question 20

Describe the components of a piled substructure and their functions.

Question 21

What ancillary activities are carried out in connection with piling.

Question 22

What is a pier foundation?

Question 22

Where would you expect to find the main reinforcement in a pad foundation?

Question 23

Under what conditions would you expect a pier foundation be used for substructure?

Question 24

Describe the substructure of a building on one of your projects?