What is the main job of a building's foundation?
AnswerTo transfer the building's weight safely into the ground
A foundation spreads a building's load into the soil or rock beneath it.
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Foundation facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about building foundations, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
What is a crawl space?
AnswerA shallow open area between the ground and the first floor
A crawl space raises the floor a short distance above the ground, leaving room to crawl beneath.
Going deeper
What kind of foundation uses long columns driven or drilled deep into the ground?
AnswerPile foundation
Piles carry loads down to firmer soil or rock far below the surface.
Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean?
AnswerIts shallow foundation sits on soft ground
The tower began to tilt during construction because its shallow foundation rests on soft, uneven soil.
Concrete is very strong when squeezed but comparatively weak in which kind of force?
AnswerTension
Concrete resists compression well but cracks easily when pulled apart in tension.
Expert level
Portland cement was named after stone from which place?
AnswerThe Isle of Portland in England
Joseph Aspdin named it in 1824 because the set material resembled Portland stone from Dorset.
Ancient Roman concrete often used which ingredient to help it set and last?
AnswerVolcanic ash
Romans mixed lime with volcanic ash called pozzolana, creating durable concrete.
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