In this blog article, we look at the key factors civil engineers should consider when determining the ideal foundation thickness during foundation design. We'll also explore the pros and cons of different foundation thicknesses.
Many factors must be taken into consideration when determining the ideal thickness and minimum foundation thickness. The width and thickness of the foundation are interrelated and depend on the load acting on the foundation.
Factors Affecting Foundation Thickness
Let's discuss each factor in detail.
- Soil type
The type of soil at the project site has a large impact on the required foundation thickness. Soil types can be classified as sandy, clayey or stony. Each type of soil has different technical properties that must be taken into account.
The permitted load capacity depends mainly on the soil type . The soil condition leads to different load capacities. A lower bearing capacity of the soil increases the bending moment of the foundation. This leads to an increase in the thickness of the foundation.
- Exposure condition
The condition of the soil or environment in which the structure is built is a very important factor in determining the strength of the foundation.
It is related to the strength and durability of the foundation. Depending on the exposure condition, the reinforcement covering is selected, which affects the thickness of the foundation. Furthermore, in modern projects, we also select the quality of concrete based on the exposure condition. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between the exposure condition and the thickness of the foundation.
- Applied loads
The maximum bending moment and shear force on the foundation are the main results of the column load on the foundation. Depending on bending and shear, the thickness of the foundation varies.
How to determine the minimum foundation thickness
There are no specific standards for the minimum thickness of a foundation other than general construction practices to be followed in accordance with relevant codes of practice.
As explained above, these factors can be the main criteria for designing the foundation and determining the minimum foundation thickness.
- Bending and Shear Requirements
The substructure must withstand bending and shear forces (vertical shear forces and drilling shear ), which are caused by the applied loads. Thus, we can determine the minimum thickness of the foundation. We can increase the thickness at any time, but the minimum thickness must meet these design requirements.
- In addition, other design requirements such as increased coverage due to unfavorable exposure conditions, etc., also directly affect the thickness of the foundation.
- In general, the minimum foundation thickness is 200 mm for any type of foundation, such as: b. Single foundation Wall foundations, strip foundations, etc.
