Common Types of Commercial Concrete Foundations

Commercial foundations, like residential foundations, vary differently based on soil conditions and budget, but the main thing that differentiates both foundations is estimated load capacity. A building’s foundation is the most crucial portion of the structure of the building. It is the basics of the security and stability of the building. Commercial foundations are classified as shallow and deep foundations.

Pittsburgh commercial contractors have years of experience in developing commercial concrete foundations. This article lists different types of foundations for constructing commercial buildings along with the benefits they serve. It will help you choose the best fit for your requirements. Further, you can hire a commercial foundation contractor to get your work done professionally.

Shallow foundations

Generally, there are four types of shallow foundations which are explained below.

1. Individual footings or isolated footings: individual footing or an isolated footing is one of the most common types of building foundations. This foundation is used for a single Column and is also known as a pad foundation. The shape of the individual footing is square or rectangle and is used when the columns carry the load from a structure. The size of an isolated foot is calculated based on the Column load and the soil’s safe bearing capacity. Rectangular isolated footings are selected when the foundation observes moments due to loads or horizontal forces’ eccentricity.

2. Combined footings: combined footings are constructed when two or more columns are close enough, and their isolated base overlaps each other. It is the same as isolated footings, but their structural design is different. The Column shape is a rectangle and used when the columns carry the load from the building.

3. Spread footings or strip footing, and wall footings: according to a commercial concrete contractor wall footing, those whose base is wider than the load-bearing wall foundation. The broader area of the bottom spreads the weight from the building structure all over the place and provides better stability. Wall footing and spread footings are used for individual columns, walls, and bridges where the bearing soil is 3m from the ground.

4. Raft or mat foundations: mat or raft foundations are the types of foundations spread across the building to support heavy loads from the whole building. This foundation is for the walls and columns foundations where the loads from the building’s wall and columns are remarkably high. It is suitable for expansive soil whose load-bearing capacity is less. These foundations should not be used where the groundwater table is above the soil’s bearing surface.

Types of commercial concrete foundations

There are two types of deep foundations which are explained below.

1. Pile foundation: it is a type of deep foundation used to transfer the structure’s heavy load to a hard rock much deep below the ground level where you cannot use shallow foundations such as spread footings and mat footings. These foundations generally used where the soil is not suitable for heavy loads. The depth of the hard rock strata maybe 5m to 50m from the surface. It resists the load from the structure by the end bearing and by skin friction.

2. Caissons or drilled shaft foundations: these types of foundations have an action similar to that of pile foundation discussed above but are high-capacity cast-in-situ foundations. It resists the load using toe resistance, shaft resistance, or a combination of both. These shaft foundations are used where the depth of hard rock is 10m to 100m below ground level. These foundations are not suitable for areas where deep deposits of soft clays or water-bearing granular soil exist.

Conclusion

There are many types of building foundations, and you can choose one according to your use. You can always contact Pittsburgh commercial contractor for selecting the right commercial concrete foundations.

Are you starting a new commercial project? TBI Contracting has helped many companies in the Pittsburgh area, delivering quality projects – on time and on a budget! Give us a call to learn more at (412) 896-1455.