Design Procedure

The following general steps have to be adopted in the design of foundations:

1. A soil investigation has to be carried out as discussed in Section 15.2.
2. It is necessary to compute the total load (both dead and live load) and the distribution has to be assessed.
3. It is to assess the total and differential settlement which the structure may under go.
4. Based on the type of soil and the structure and load the type of foundation is decided as discussed in Section 15.6.1.
5. The appropriate allowable soil pressure has to be determined for the selected type of foundation.
6. The type of material for the foundation has to be decided.
7. Alternate designs are to be made before finalization.
8. Cost estimate has to be made and any further modification may be made keeping in view economy and life of the structure.