Foundation design is the process of determining how a structure will safely transfer its loads to the ground. In geotechnical engineering, this means understanding the interaction between soil, rock, groundwater, and structural demands—then selecting a foundation system that suits both the site and the project.
Typical foundation types include:
Design inputs are guided by site investigation data: borehole logs, CPT profiles, laboratory testing, and groundwater monitoring. Load calculations, settlement analysis, and lateral resistance modeling are used to evaluate performance and compliance with building codes (e.g. NBCC 2020 or BCBC 2024) and/or the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (S6:19) and the BC Supplement.
Foundation design also intersects with other disciplines—structural engineering, hydrogeology, and environmental science—especially on complex sites with contamination, archaeological sensitivity, or challenging access.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: ensure the structure remains stable, serviceable, and safe throughout its lifespan, regardless of what lies beneath.
In British Columbia, foundation design must account for a wide range of subsurface conditions: dense glacial tills, soft marine clays, liquefiable sands/silts, expansive clays, “boney” colluvium, variable fill, and very strong bedrock are all common. Seismic considerations, groundwater behavior, and slope stability often play a critical role in design decisions.
