Here is the list of 5 top used foundations for commercial buildings
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ToggleLike the residential foundation, the commercial foundation relies on elements such as soil conditions and construction size. However, commercial foundations should have a greater load-bearing capacity and should be able to provide maximum stability for the building. Here are some common types of foundations for commercial buildings.
T-Shaped Foundation
- The T-Shaped foundation is the most commonly used type of foundation in commercial buildings. It is preferably used in environments where the ground is susceptible to frequent freezing. The reinforced concrete footings resting below the frost line play a significant role in its strength. In addition, walls are built on top of concrete footings that go deep into the soil’s surface.
The footings are kept narrower than the walls to offer additional support required at the structure’s base. The final structure in the cross-section appears like an inverted T shape. That’s where this commercial foundation type gets its name from. This foundation is more common in taller structures where the underlying soil is more likely to freeze. This is because a T-shaped foundation evenly distributes the pressure from frozen soil.
Raft Foundation
- The raft foundation is one of the strong foundations used in commercial buildings. It acts as a raft and allows the structure of the building to rest on it, hence known as a raft foundation. A concrete slab is reinforced over a large area used to bear several columns and walls. Unlike slab-on-grade foundation that only supports loads at the building’s lower part, raft foundation supports the weight of the entire structure.
Therefore, the raft foundation can manage oversized loads. This foundation proves ideal in areas where the soil’s load capacity is inferior, and column loads are immense. The entire load of the structure is spread evenly over the area of the foundation. A raft foundation is commonly used when a building has a lower level or a basement. The basement, in this case, acts as a concrete slab foundation.
Slab-On-Grade Foundation
- Commercial structural engineers prefer the slab-on-grade foundation in areas where the ground is not liable to freezing. A thick concrete foundation is laid directly onto the soil surface in this commercial foundation. A layer of several-inch thick concrete creates a strong base for the structure. The places with warmer climates use slab-on-grade foundations.
Another plus about slab-on-grade foundation is that it is less likely to be affected by pest attacks. From frost resistant to floating slab-on-grade, various types of slab-on-grade foundations exist. The foundation does not have direct contact with the ground in a floating slab-on foundation.
Pile Foundation
- It is a deep foundation in which drilled piers transfer many loads to the soil strata. Piles or drilled piers are built-in groups and clusters that receive column loads. A pile foundation transfers the structure’s weight to a hard rock beneath the ground, where shallow foundations cannot be used.
Therefore, pile foundations can be ideally used when the building load is massive and concentrated. It is also best for areas with compressible soil conditions and wetland
Spot Footing Foundation
The spot footing foundation is designed to support individual points between the underlying soil and the foundation. The spot foundation resembles a square concrete pad with rebar going through it and the column to reinforce load distribution. It distributes the column loads evenly into the ground, thus increasing the soil’s load-bearing capacity and enabling it to withstand more weight. In addition, an individual footing foundation maintains the stability of the building because of its multiple contact points with the ground.
Crack-X is a structural repair company located in Maine and New Hampshire. Contact us today at 877-727-2259 if you are dealing with foundation issues. Our experienced contractors will assess the problem and provide necessary repairs.