171
Technical Terms
auger cast pile
basement plan
caissons
concrete masonry
units
elevation
expansion joints
fl oating slab
construction
footings
foundation plan
friction pile
frost line
grade beam
keyway
monolithic slab
slab-on-grade
steel pile
waterproofi ng
waterstop
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
• Identify footings on a foundation plan.
• Describe different types of foundation
support systems.
• Identify various components of a
foundation system.
Once the building has been located on the plot
and the necessary site clearing and excavation is
complete, the work begins on constructing the build-
ing structure. The building structure consists of two
major components: the foundation and the above-
grade framing system. The foundation consists of
the concrete footings, grade beams, and foundation
walls. On residential prints, the footings, beams, and
other structural components for the foundation sys-
tem are shown on a foundation plan or basement
plan. Sections and details providing additional infor-
mation are referenced on the foundation or basement
plan and shown on additional structural prints.
The footings and foundation walls must be
carefully laid out. The entire structure is built
upon the footings and walls and depends on
the accuracy of their construction. To make print
reading easier, this unit explains how footings and
foundations are located and constructed. Slab-on-
grade fl oor construction is also discussed.
Footings
Footings are the “feet” upon which the entire
building rests, Figure 10-1. The sizes of the footings
are shown on the foundation plan or on a detail of the
foundation wall. The footing size is determined by
architects and engineers based on the type of soil to
Uni t 10 Uni t 10
Foundation
Prints
resist loads (determined by soil tests) and the weight
of the building. The load of the building is transferred
through the upper portion of the structure down to
the foundation walls onto the footings and into the
ground. There are many types of foundation sys-
tems; this unit will cover those listed below.
• Footings and walls
• Grade beams
• Auger cast piles
• Caissons
• Steel piles
Figure 10-1.
Footings are designed to carry the
weight of the entire building and to transfer that weight
to the earth below.
Section Elevation
Footing Keyway for
poured wall
Concrete
wall
Reinforcing steel