Notes

caisson pile a type of deep foundation, an end-bearing pile in which an auger clears out a borehole that is then filled with concrete and sometimes reinforcing steel; a type of cast-in-place foundation
dead load the weight of a finished building and its permanent components
deep foundation a foundation that is significantly beneath ground level, usually involving piles driven into the soil
end-bearing pile a pile that is driven deep enough to rest on bedrock or very stable soil; it transfers a building’s weight to the earth beneath that specific point
foundations the lowest portion of a structure, which transfers the building’s load to the ground
friction pile a pile driven into the soil and held in place by the friction and pressure of the soil acting upon the pile; the building’s weight is transferred through the pile into the soil
live load the total weight of the occupants and moveable items of a building
pile driver a type of deep foundation in which a long pole-type structure made of wood, metal, or concrete is driven into the ground via a pile driver
safe bearing capacity the amount of weight a unit of soil can safely support
shallow foundation a foundation that is relatively close to ground level; popular for smaller buildings and in warmer climates
sheet piling a network of metal braces that prevent soil from collapsing while a foundation is being excavated
spread footing a type of shallow foundation that transfers a building’s weight to the soil via a concrete pad at the base of the foundation wall or column; also called a spread foundation