Dear Structural Engineers! I have to design a three stories medicines storage structure (reinforced concrete). The water table is at 5-10 feet below the surface level and the soil is poor too. The bearing capacity is not yet investigated but the B.C of the surrounding area is lower. My question is how to design the foundation for the structure, whether mat foundation would be preferable or any other alternatives to be adopted? Thanks!
Well,
From a hydrogeologic point of view, if the bearing capacity is lower in the surrounding area with poor soil and shallow groundwater level , then expecting lower bearing capacity in the target area, so removing soil is preferred, and the best design is as in the attached figure.
Sincerely
Dear Abdur Rasheed, From a hydrogeological functioning point of view, first thing I would recommend you is to find what is the magnitude or the nature of vertical flow discharging in the site. Where it is likely to be originated or where groundwater is comming from? Is the discharge likely to increase? and Which are the causes that might influence such rise in the water level?
first of all, ground water table level is not a problem if you don't have basement, surface de-watering will be sufficient to dry the excavation bed during foundation construction.
Regarding the weak surface soil, and accordingly the expected large settlement, the optimum foundation system depends on the distance between the building columns, for narrow spacing (up to 5m), raft foundation is the optimum choice, for wide spacing (more than 15m, case of frames), you may consider pile foundation because raft thickness must be increased to maintain the rigidity and it will became uneconomic.
For intermediate spacing (about 8m) you may improve the soil strength by replacement and use isolated or strip footing
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Medicine
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Nutritional Medicine
- Food Science
- Food