Types of House Foundations You Need to Know When Building

The foundation is the most important part of construction. It bears the entire load of the building, transfers the force to the ground, and determines durability, lifespan, as well as construction costs. For a house to be solid, it first needs a strong foundation system.

1. Definition of house foundation

The foundation (or substructure) is the lowest part of a building, directly in contact with the ground. Its main functions include:

• Withstanding static and dynamic loads from the structure.
• Distributing the load to the ground, preventing settlement and cracking.
• Providing stability and long-term safety for the house.

2. Common types of house foundations

2.1. Classification by depth

Shallow foundations

Shallow foundations are usually 1.5m – 3m deep, applied for small to medium load structures.

Isolated footing

Isolated footings are used for individual columns, and can be square, rectangular, circular, or octagonal. This type of foundation is cost-effective and quick to construct.

Strip footing

Strip foundations are long continuous strips placed under rows of columns or walls. This is the most common foundation in residential buildings because of its easy construction and uniform settlement.

Raft foundation

Raft foundations cover the entire building area, typically used on weak soil or for large structures to reduce load pressure.

Deep foundations

Used for large buildings, transferring loads to deeper, stronger soil layers. The most common type is the pile foundation.

Pile foundations consist of piles and pile caps, reinforcing the ground and improving load-bearing capacity. Reinforced concrete piles are the most widely used today.

2.2. Classification by construction method

• Precast foundation: Prefabricated components assembled on site.
• Cast-in-place foundation: Poured directly with concrete or reinforced concrete on site, the most common method today.

2.3. Classification by load characteristics

• Static load foundation: Houses, residential buildings.
• Dynamic load foundation: Bridges, cranes, machinery bases.

2.4. Classification by material

• Rubble stone foundation
• Concrete / Reinforced concrete foundation
• Brick foundation
• Wood foundation
• Steel foundation

2.5. Classification by stiffness

• Rigid foundation: Made of concrete, brick, or rubble stone, with high load resistance.
• Flexible foundation: Both load-bearing and deformable, saving materials.

2.6. Classification by load transfer form

• Centered foundation: Vertical force transmission, evenly distributed.
• Eccentric foundation: Applied in special positions such as between a new and an old house.

3. Conclusion

The choice of a suitable foundation depends on the scale of the project, load, soil conditions, and investment budget. NQT Construction is always ready to provide professional consulting and foundation construction services, ensuring your house remains strong and durable over time.