Foundation Systems
Structural systems that support a building, including footings and walls, grade beams, auger cast piles, caissons, and steel piles. 【1-a8d8af】
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Foundation Systems | Structural systems that support a building, including footings and walls, grade beams, auger cast piles, caissons, and steel piles. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Footings | The "feet" on which the entire building rests; must rest on undisturbed earth below the frost line and are reinforced with rebar. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Rebar | Steel reinforcing rods used to strengthen footings and foundation walls. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Wall Footings | Footings that support concrete foundation walls and typically include a keyway for anchoring the wall. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Keyway | A groove in a footing that helps anchor the foundation wall. 【1-a8d8af】 |
TOF (Top of Footing) | The elevation of the top surface of a footing, shown on plans as TOF or T/FTG. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Columns | Structural members located at centerline intersections that transfer concentrated loads to footings. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Column Footings | Wider and thicker footings designed to support concentrated loads from columns or chimneys. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Foundation Walls | Walls forming the base of a building that transfer loads from the structure to the footings. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Poured-in-Place Concrete Foundation Wall | A foundation wall constructed by placing concrete into forms on site. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Concrete Block Foundation Wall | A foundation wall built using concrete masonry units and typically reinforced with rebar. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Expansion Joint | A separation between a slab and wall that prevents cracking from expansion and contraction. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Grade Beam | A beam that spans from footing to footing and is used to bridge weak or disturbed soil. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Auger Cast Pile | A pile formed by drilling with a steel auger and pumping concrete into the hole as the auger is withdrawn. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Pile Cap | A structural cap placed on piles to create a load-carrying system. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Friction Pile | A pile that transfers loads to the soil primarily through friction along its surface. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Rock-Socketed Pile | An auger cast pile drilled and extended into rock for additional support. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Caisson | A drilled deep foundation element, typically 18–72 inches in diameter, reinforced with steel and filled with concrete. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Reinforcing Cage | A steel reinforcement assembly installed in a caisson before concrete placement. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Steel Pile | A deep foundation member driven into the ground, usually H-shaped or pipe-shaped, to reach a suitable support stratum. 【1-a8d8af】 |
H-Pile | A steel pile with an H-shaped cross-section driven into the ground for structural support. |
Pipe Pile | A round steel pile driven into the ground to support structural loads. |
Support Stratum | A stable soil or rock layer capable of supporting structural loads. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Slab-on-Grade Construction | A foundation system where a concrete slab is poured directly at ground level. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Welded Wire Fabric | Steel wire reinforcement used in concrete slabs to reduce cracking and improve strength. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Floating Slab | A monolithic slab and footing system poured as one continuous unit. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Monolithic Slab Construction | A construction method where the slab and footings are poured together as a single concrete unit. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Turned-Down Footing | An edge thickening in a monolithic slab that serves as the footing. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Foundation Waterproofing | A method of protecting foundations against underground water infiltration. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Tar Waterproofing | The application of tar to the outside of foundation walls to resist water penetration. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Asphalt Waterproofing | The application of asphalt coatings to foundation walls for moisture protection. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Vapor Barrier | A material placed beneath a floor slab to reduce moisture migration. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Crushed Rock Base | A layer of crushed rock beneath a slab that improves drainage and supports the foundation. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Frost Line | The depth below ground where soil freezing occurs; footings must be placed below this level. 【1-a8d8af】 |
Undisturbed Earth | Natural soil that has not been excavated or filled and provides stable support for footings. 【1-a8d8af】 |