Foundation:

Foundations are responsible to transfer the load of the building or structure to the underlying soil. Characteristics of the soil; type, consolidation, depth, composition, and other factors, determine the ability of the soil to carry the load of the structure. The structure of the project and the characteristics of the soil determines the design of either a Shallow or Deep Foundation. The soil may also require Soil Improvement Techniques to improve the carrying capacity.

 

Soil Improvement is the process where the soil characteristics change through physical action or by creating a composite soil structure. These techniques are vital when the demand of the structure is greater than the carrying capacity of the soil.

 

We use different soil improvement techniques:

 

• Removal & Replacement: 

Excavation of unsuitable soils and replacement with new compacted fill.

 

• Preloading: 

Temporarily, surcharge fill; any load that creates a vertical pressure on the ground surface, covers the natural soil allowing the soil underneath to settle and for construction to once again occur. This particular technique is useful in soft clayey and silty soils because as the fill is putting pressure on them they consolidate together creating a stronger soil.

 

• In-situ densification: 

Process of using strong vibrations to density sandy soils.

 

• Grouting: 

The injection of grout into the ground to improve the soil.

 

• Stabilization using Admixtures: 

Admixtures create artificial cementation of the soil which increases the strength of the soil. The most common admixture is Portland cement, others include asphalt and lime.

 

• Reinforcement: 

Tensile reinforcement materials improve the stability and load-carrying capacity of the soil. The most common type is plastic grids due to their durability and minimal cost.