Importance of a good building foundation

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “The beautiful rest on the foundations of the necessary.” Historic figures from Napoleon Bonaparte to Henry David Thoreau have made references to the importance of foundations.

So what’s the basis for all this attention?

Well, everything goes on top of the building foundation. If it is well built, the structure on top has a better chance of turning outright. And a solid foundation is an anchor for all that follows.

In a building, the foundation carries the load of the structure on top of it and transfers it to the ground. In addition, the foundation carries any future anticipated loads such as people, furniture, and furnishings.

When a building foundation is plumb and level, everything that goes on top of it will be simpler to install. All building trades are depending on the building foundation being right.

Types of Foundations

Spread Footing – footing that carries concentrated loads from columns and spreads it over a wide area of ground. In our area, spread footings are located below the frost line to prevent damage from freezing soil.

Individual Footing – footing directly below a column that takes the form of a rectangular slab of concrete.

Strip Footing – footing that carries the load of a load-bearing masonry building. The footing supports the weight of the entire wall.

Mat Foundations – basement floor slab that acts as a raft and spreads the load over a large area of soil. Mat foundations are used when soils are weak or where the water table is high.

Piles – Piles are concrete and steel columns that transfer loads to the surrounding soil or down a strong layer of soil. Piles are used for high-rise buildings, all piles work through end bearing and friction.

The soils that support the foundation are equally important to the success of the building. Oftentimes the soil must be replaced or amended to be capable of bridging a building foundation.

When it comes to building projects and life in general, the foundation is the most important work and the basis of everything that comes after.

Larsen Marine Services, Waukegan IL – Boat Storage Warehouse