Structural foundations basics from "summary" of Concrete Technology by George R. White

Before any structural foundation work can be done, it is important to investigate the soil type on which the building in question will sit. Understanding soil composition and bearing capacity of the ground are essential steps for successful construction of a foundation.

Structural foundations are designed with their primary focus being to adequately support the applied loading forces on the structure. This means a foundational system must be able to meet the stability requirements, tolerate mechanical stresses and provide uniform footing compression.

Foundation elements including; strips, walls, piles, rafts, mats and slabs are used to efficiently distribute loads from building onto the supporting strata. The combination of each element is determined by the nature of the construction and properties of the soil and must be critically evaluated during design stages.

Structural foundations are an ever evolving field as advances in technology bring about improved building techniques. Careful consideration to structural positioning, geological constraints & regional regulations is paramount for mitigating against future vulnerabilities of your builds stability.

Ensuring suitable drainage systems are in place around the foundational layers is critical to maintaining durability. Additionally consideration needs to be taken when designing regarding subsidence control measures to account for potential future settlements.

It's key to recognise that different materials have different resistive strengths to weight, therefore considerations such as selecting appropriate materials should be taken into account in order to ensure carrying capacity criteria is met.