Foundations and Superstructures

Surrounding us a lot of structures are there like buildings, brize, etc. Every structures consists of the following two parts as given below:

1. Foundations (or Substructures), and
2. Superstructures.

In short we can understand the structure part below the ground level is Foundation and above is Superstructures. For details we can go ahead as given below:

1. Foundations (or Substructures)
The lowest part; aritficially prepared parts of the structures which are in direct contact with the ground and which transmit the loads of the structures to the ground are called foundations (or substructures). The solid ground on which the foundations rest is called the foundation bed (or foundation soil) and it ultimately bears the load and interacts with the foundations of buildings. The lowermost portion of the foundation which is in direct contact with the subsoil is called the footing.

2. Superstructures
The term superstructure is used to mean that part of the structure which is above ground level. A part of superstructure located between the ground level and the floor level is known as plinth. Thus, the term plinth is defined as the portion of the structure between the surface of the surrounding ground and level of the floor immediately above the ground.

For any structure, its foundation form is the most important part. It remains below the ground, it is not available for inspection after finishing of the construction. So we should be careful during the construction of the foundation. If foundation is weak, means your whole construction is weak. It is necessary to exercise extreme care in the construction and design of foundations to avoid their failures in future.