What’s the Difference Between Shallow and Deep Foundations?

If you’re building a new home or planning to do any construction project, it is important to know the differences between shallow and deep foundations. Both foundations are often used for different projects and have unique advantages and disadvantages. 

By understanding what makes them different, you can make an informed decision as to which type of foundation best suits your needs. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the differences between shallow and deep foundations so that you can understand.

 

What Are Shallow and Deep Foundations?

Let’s begin by briefly going over each type of foundation. Shallow foundations usually extend up to two meters below the ground. They are typically suitable for relatively light loads, making them ideal for smaller projects such as homes or sheds.

Deep foundations, on the other hand, are buried much deeper below the surface of the soil, enabling them to bear higher loads or spread those forces over a wide area. They’re often necessary for taller, heavier structures, such as apartment buildings or industrial complexes which require more structural capacity than a shallow foundation can handle.

 

What Are the Advantages of Deep Foundations?

Deep foundations provide strong support below natural ground levels, helping to create stable and reliable construction sites in even the most variable of soils. They can also be built quickly and installed in virtually any type of environment.

Plus, deep foundations tend to require less maintenance than some other foundations. This makes deep foundations a great choice for commercial and residential projects.

 

What Are the Disadvantages of Deep Foundations?

The most pronounced disadvantages of deep foundations are the difficulty, cost, and labor-intensive nature of the installation. Subsurface digging, drilling, and grouting on such a large scale require expert precision.

There is also the potential risk of undermining nearby structures or causing erosion due to this kind of heavy work, as well as resulting vibrations that could disturb neighbors or complicate legal disputes. 

 

What Are the Advantages of Shallow Foundations?

Shallow foundations, on the other hand, can be installed much more quickly than deep ones, making them a cost-effective choice for those looking to complete their building project on time and within budget. They also require fewer materials than deep foundations, resulting in lower material costs.

And, since shallow foundations are less labor intensive than deep ones, they tend to require fewer person-hours, reducing overall construction costs in the long run.

 

What Are the Disadvantages of Shallow Foundations?

While shallow foundations have some nice advantages, they have their downsides as well. Since shallow foundations typically rest above the crust of a property, they can only support limited loads and structures, making them ill-suited to buildings that require higher levels of support.

Additionally, they must be installed over the soil with the right bearing capacity. If this is not the case, it can lead to costly repairs or even the need to rebuild completely. 

Lastly, several soil-type factors, such as shrinkage clays or acidic conditions, can significantly weaken shallow foundations, greatly reducing their lifespan and effectiveness.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, there is more than one difference between shallow and deep foundations. So, make sure you have the right one before beginning your project – the wrong foundation can have some serious consequences.

Need a hand with excavation? We’ve got you covered! Click here to get in touch with the J Bond Construction team today.