Foundations For Construction

Foundations

Foundations are the structural elements with the function of transmitting the loads of the structure to the soil where it is supported (AZEREDO, 1988). Thus, the foundations must have adequate strength to withstand the stresses caused by the applicant efforts. In addition, the soil requires adequate strength and stiffness to avoid rupture and not to exhibit exaggerated or differential deformations. In order to choose the most suitable foundation, one must know the active efforts on the building, the characteristics of the soil and the structural elements that form the foundations. Thus, we analyze the possibility of using the various types of foundation, in increasing order of complexity and costs (WOLLE, 1993). Well-designed foundations account for 3% to 10% of the total cost of the building; however, if they are poorly designed and poorly designed, they can reach 5 to 10 times the most appropriate foundation cost (BRITO, 1987).

(Source: Polytechnic School from the University of São Paulo, Civil Construction Engineering Department, PCC-2435: Building Construction Technology I).