Flash_on_English_for_Construction

Foundations

1 Read the text and then answer the questions below.

1

2

3

The foundation s, walls, floor, stairs and roof are some of the building

elem ents that all types of buildin g have in common.

Foundations are structures that transfer weights from walls and columns

to the grou nd. There are two types of fou n dations: shallow foundations

and deep foundations. Sh allow foundations are usu ally embedded a

m etre into the soil, whereas deep foun dations are embedded m ore in

depth. They are recommended in case of very large design loads, a poor

so il at shallow depth or site constraints, such as property lin es. There are

different types of deep foundation s and they can be m ade of tim ber,

steel and reinforced or pretensioned con crete.

Geotechnical engineers des ign foundations to ensure that t hey have an

adequate load capacity with limited settlement. When des igning

foundations, it is also important to consider scour (when flowing water

removes supporting soil from aroun d a fou ndation) and frost h eave

(when water in the ground freezes and forms ic e lenses).

What are foundations? How many types of 4 What do geotechnical engineers

foundations are there? design?

What are the main features of shallow foundations? 5 What must be considered?

What are the main features of deep foundations? 6 What are scour and heave?

Walls

2 Read the text and decide if the sentences below are true (T) or false (F).

Building walls support the superstructures of building (roofs and ceilings), separate space and

give protection against intrusion and the weather. They usually have about three separate

components: structural elements, insulation, finish elements or surface.

Walls can be loadbearing or non load bearing depending on their providing structural support to

the building or not. Exterior loadbearing walls carry ceiling, roof or upper loor loads to the

foundation. Some bearing walls are inside buildings: they support joists a~ id span and transfer

loads down to the foundation. ~~~

Usually conventional house walls have an inner wooden framewor :ra: ~a/ Llpport part of the

house, but does not support wall coverings, windows and doors : :_~:2. ~s e BC rical wiring, plumbing,

insulation, and other utilities.

1 Walls can define and protect areas, support 2 S_:2-::~r_::_'~

of buildings and delineate a space.

2 There are two kinds of structural a Is.

3 Exterior boundary walls give pro'ec'::::-2g2 -5: -:'_5:-,,-:. ::,,:-2'.

4 Loadbearing walls can onl e e :e':' ,',::; 5

on en ional ouse t a s us,,;:: ) ,... .......... ..... _ ---::: -.::. -.::.,-----.... -:;: --

t"". .-.