Pad footings, piles, strip foundations and foundation slabs have different functions. The ground conditions and structural system determine the appropriate combination.
Start with the load transfer
A building transfers its weight and other loads to the foundations through walls or columns. A continuous wall distributes loads differently from an individual column. The foundation design connects the building to the ground. A foundation pad and a pile are therefore different components. A pad supported by one or more piles acts as a pile cap and combines their reactions.
Pad and strip foundations bearing on the ground
A pad footing provides local support; a strip foundation runs continuously beneath a wall, for example. Both can form part of a shallow foundation, which transfers loads to the ground without piles. Dimensions must suit the ground bearing capacity, settlement and structural resistance. Loads that act away from the centre can also affect the design. Choosing a foundation involves more than ordering enough concrete.
Piles and foundation beams
Poles carry through their shaft and/or transfer point load to the soil. Foundation beams and foundations connect the superstructure to the piles. Geotechnical advice and the structural design must use the same loads and principles. The version may have limitations due to accessibility, adjacencies or available working height. Therefore, discuss the design and implementation method together before choosing a system.
Foundation slab and cellar
A foundation slab distributes load over a larger surface area and can be part of a basement. The plate must have sufficient resistance to the occurring forces and local load concentrations. In a basement, water pressure and possible upward forces are also relevant. Watertightness and structural crack control require coordination with the entire architectural development. A flat concrete floor is not automatically a designed foundation slab.
New next to existing
When constructing an extension, new and existing foundations must be examined in relation to possible movement. A stiff one connection between parts that move differently can cause unwanted forces. Sometimes a separation is part of the design; sometimes collaboration is designed. That depends on the project. Collect existing foundation data and have unknown circumstances identified before the connection is developed.
Your preparation in four steps
- Collect superstructure and bottom data
- Make support points and wall loads clear
- Discuss settlement and connection with existing
- Define system and implementation
Frequently asked questions on this topic
Does the Dutch term “fundering op staal” mean there is steel underneath?
No. The term describes direct foundation on the ground without pile system.
Can a footing be supported by piles?
Yes. A footing can distribute the load from a column to one or more piles.
Is a thicker floor a foundation slab?
Only when the slab is designed as a foundation part. Extra thickness alone does not substantiate this.
View the associated structural calculation, create your preparation list or take the guides and checklists along to the consultation.
View all constructions and construction guides · All types of structural calculations