Foundation Requirements for Steel Structure Factory Buildings
Foundation Bearing Capacity
High Bearing Capacity: The foundation of a steel structure factory must have sufficient bearing capacity to support the weight of the superstructure, including steel components, equipment, personnel, and other loads inside the factory. Inadequate bearing capacity can lead to foundation settlement or cracking, which affects the safety of the steel structure.
Uniformity: The bearing capacity of the foundation should be evenly distributed to prevent uneven settlement, which may lead to structural deformation or stress concentration. If the foundation soil is uneven, reinforcement measures such as grouting or pile foundations may be required.
Foundation Settlement Control
Reasonable Settlement Control: Steel structure factories have strict requirements for foundation settlement. Excessive settlement can cause deformation or even structural failure. Settlement calculations are typically carried out during the foundation design phase to ensure that the settlement remains within acceptable limits.
Segmented Settlement: If the foundation soil layers are different, segmented settlement may occur. In such cases, a reasonable foundation structure should be designed based on the soil characteristics, with measures such as segmented foundations or local reinforcement.
Soil Type and Stability
Soil Type Evaluation: Before constructing a steel structure factory, the soil type of the foundation must be investigated. Different types of soil have different bearing capacities. Common soil types include sandy soil, clay, and gravel. Each type may require different treatments, such as soil consolidation or deep mixing.
Stability Requirements: The soil should have sufficient stability to prevent landslides, subsidence, or other issues. For soft soil or loose layers, foundation reinforcement or pile foundations may be needed.
Foundation Hydrological Conditions
Groundwater Level: The groundwater level significantly impacts the stability of the foundation. High groundwater levels may cause softening of the foundation soil or mud infiltration, reducing its bearing capacity. In such cases, measures such as drainage, dewatering, or waterproof layers may need to be implemented to mitigate the effects of groundwater.
Waterproof Design for the Foundation: If the groundwater level is high or the soil has significant moisture content, waterproofing measures should be considered, such as underground waterproof layers or drainage pipes, to protect the foundation from moisture infiltration.
Foundation Construction Precision
Foundation Design Precision: The foundation of a steel structure factory must precisely match the design drawings, particularly in terms of foundation level, verticality, and elevation. It is essential to ensure accuracy during construction to guarantee the precise alignment of the superstructure.
Quality of Backfilling: During foundation construction, the quality of soil backfilling is crucial. The backfill must be compacted in layers to prevent settlement or loosening, avoiding potential instability of the foundation.
Soil Quality Improvement
Improving Soft or Poor Soil Layers: If the foundation soil quality is poor (e.g., soft soil, expansive soil), improvement measures such as deep mixing, preloading, or dynamic compaction may be needed to enhance the bearing capacity and stability of the soil layer.
Pile Foundations or Independent Foundations: In some cases, particularly where soil bearing capacity is low or the soil layers are uneven, pile foundations, driven piles, or independent foundations may be necessary to ensure the stability of the factory structure.
Impact of Temperature Changes and Freezing
Frost Heave Issues: In cold regions, the foundation may be affected by frost heave, causing the foundation soil to expand, crack, or settle. Therefore, when building a steel structure factory in such regions, frost-resistant design measures should be implemented to prevent the foundation from being impacted by frost heave.
Impact of Temperature Changes on the Foundation: Temperature changes can cause minor deformations in the foundation, especially in areas with significant temperature differences. The foundation design should account for these changes and adopt appropriate compensatory measures.
Connection Between Foundation and Structure
Connection Between Foundation and Steel Structure: The foundation design should ensure effective connection with the steel structure, usually through foundation bearing layers, anchor bolts, or other methods to integrate the foundation with the steel structure, preventing sliding or deformation.
Foundation Cushion Layer Design: To enhance the bearing capacity and stability of the foundation, a cushion layer (e.g., concrete or gravel) is often used. This helps distribute the load and reduce settlement of the foundation.
The foundation design and construction of steel structure factories are critical to ensuring the safety and long-term stable operation of the factory. Through proper bearing capacity design, settlement control, soil type evaluation, and consideration of hydrological conditions, potential foundation issues that could lead to structural deformation or safety risks can be effectively avoided. By taking appropriate foundation treatment and reinforcement measures based on different soil conditions and environmental factors, the steel structure factory can be ensured to operate on a solid and stable foundation.
