Unsupported Excavation for Foundation: Factors to be Considered

Foundation is the lower part of structure that transmit structural load to the earth safely. It is very common to place foundation below ground surface. An excavation of soil is required to reach base level of foundation. Sometimes more depth is required where one/more stabilization layer/layers is/are provided to reach desired bearing capacity. The stabilization is required where heavy structures are required to be founded at shallow depth.

In this blog we have published post about different stabilization method for strengthening foundation soil. Now we will learn the factors to be considered for doing an unsupported excavation for foundation. These are:

A. Depth of excavation(obviously shallow depth)

B. Having adequate space to provide stable slope for excavated soil.

C. Type of soil

D. Characteristics of soil

E. Weather and climatic condition.

F. Duration to stabilize the excavation either by providing foundation and back filling or providing some support to slope.

Previous experiences conclude that the critical slope of excavations is determined by permitting few/some sliding usually not serious to be failure of slope. This also a fact that the removal of sliding excavation materials should not be greater than the materials to be excavated further to provide a flatter slope not to be occurred failure.

For convenience of understanding unsupported excavation requirements, we will publish posts for both sandy and clayey soil. Please stay with us.