Foundations (buildings and structures)

lowest and supporting layer of a structure

architectural upright support for a structure or superstructure

thumb|The superstructure of Kurobe Dam in Japan rests on opposing concrete abutments thumb|Abutment for a large steel arch bridge thumb|Brick abutment supporting disused tramway over the Yass River in [[Yass, New South Wales]] thumb|right|Cream (colour)|Cream-colored concrete abutment gives vertical support to both the small iron rail bridge and earthen fill of the bridge approach embankment at Old Town Station Staten Island Railway - Staten Island, New York

thumb|right|Scheme of a cesspit that is constructed like an underground holding tank

sub-surface drainage system

distortion or disruption of parts of a building

capacity of soil to support loads

thumb|right|300px|Cal-Earth polypropylene tubes (sandbags) being used to construct domed structures thumb|right|300px|Superadobe Construction

top part of a deep foundation, typically a thick concrete block into which the pile tops are embedded, used to transfer the load of the structure above to the piles driven into the ground below

type of construction in which vertical, roof-bearing timbers, called posts, are in direct contact with the ground. They may be placed into excavated post holes, driven into the ground, or on sills which are set on the ground without a foundation

consists of the interaction between soil and a structure built upon it

seismic stabilized building foundation