According to Wikipedia, foundation engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the design and construction of foundations, which safely transfer the loads of structures to the ground. Foundations are designed to support buildings, bridges, and other structures while preventing excessive settlement or structural failure. The selection of a foundation depends on several factors, including the type of soil or rock, structural loads, groundwater conditions, and environmental influences.

A geotechnical engineer evaluates the subsurface through soil testing and site investigations to determine the ground’s bearing capacity and settlement characteristics. Using this information, structural engineers design foundations that can safely support a structure throughout its service life. Key design considerations include bearing capacity, which refers to the soil’s ability to support applied loads, and settlement, the downward movement of a foundation under load. Uneven or differential settlement can cause cracks, distortion, and damage to a structure, while expansive clay soils, which expand when wet and shrink when dry, can create additional challenges in foundation design.