This document discusses foundations for buildings and how they relate to fire service. It covers different types of soils and how they influence foundation selection. The main types of foundations discussed are shallow foundations, which transfer weight directly to the soil, and deep foundations like piles and piers, which are used when soil cannot support heavy loads. Foundation walls connect the foundation to the building and can be made of concrete, masonry, stone or wood. The document also addresses building settlement, the symptoms and causes, as well as uses of shoring and underpinning to support structures.

1. Building Construction Related to
the Fire Service
Fourth Edition
Chapter 6 — Foundations

2. ‣ Explain how soil properties influence
building foundation types.
Learning Objective 1

3. Types of soils on which a building is constructed
may range from loose sand to solid granite.

4. Soil type varies by depth as well as
by location.

5. Two strategies used to assess soil
are test pits and test borings.

6. ‣ Identify types and components of
building foundations.
Learning Objective 2

7. The size of the structure will influence
the required depth of the foundation.

8. The size of the structure will influence
the required depth of the foundation.

9. A shallow foundation transfers the weight of the
building directly to the soil at the base of the
building.

10. Concrete footings may be
constructed in several ways.

11. Specialized types of footings are matched
to the loads supported above them.

12. Specialized types of footings are matched
to the loads supported above them.

13. Specialized types of footings are matched
to the loads supported above them.

14. If the soil cannot bear a heavy weight, the footing
must be large enough to spread out the weight of
the building.

15. NOTE
‣ The weight of one story of soil can
equal five to eight stories of a building
depending on the density of the soil
and the construction features of the
building.

16. Deep foundations take the form of
piles or piers.

17. When a structure is to be built on a steep slope,
the foundation must be specially constructed.

18. Piles and piers are types of deep
foundations.

19. Piles and piers are types of deep
foundations.

20. ‣ Describe types of foundation walls.
Learning Objective 3

21. Foundation walls connect to the foundation
and footer, and encase a basement.

22. Concrete and masonry secured with mortar are
the materials most commonly used for
foundation walls.

23. Foundation walls may also be
constructed out of stone or wood.

24. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) can be used
as a component of foundation walls.

25. Hollow EPS blocks can be filled with concrete to
create insulated concrete form (ICF)
construction.

26. EPS helps conserve cost and energy
in a variety of ways.

27. ‣ Explain the symptoms and causes of
building settlement.
Learning Objective 4

28. All buildings are subject to some
degree of movement or settlement.

29. The effects of building shifts may range from a
creaking noise to significant structural damage.

30. Settlement of a foundation can be
either uniform or differential.

31. Settlement of a foundation can be
either uniform or differential.

32. ‣ Recognize the uses of shoring and
underpinning.
Learning Objective 5

33. Shoring is frequently necessary to support the
structure until underpinning can be put into
place.

34. Underpinning an existing foundation may
be necessary because of changes over time.

35. The placement of shoring and underpinning
components is difficult and often dangerous
work.