Figure 1-6.—Nomenclature of a fixedthe center line. A space of approximately one-quarterinch should be provided between the planks to allow forswelling, to provide water drainage, and to permit aircirculation. The minimum thickness of decking is 3inches in all cases; however, when the requiredthickness of plank decking exceeds 6 inches, then alaminated type of decking should be used.FOUNDATIONS AND PILESThat part of a building or structure located belowthe surface of the ground is called the foundation. Itspurpose is to distribute the weight of the building orstructure and all live loads over an area of subgrade largeenough to prevent settlement and collapse.A pile is a slender structural unit driven into theground to transmit loads to the underground strata. Ittransfers loads to the surrounding underground strata byfriction along its surface or by direct bearing on thehighway bridge superstructure.compressed soil at or near the bottom. A bearing pilesustains a downward load and may be driven verticallyor otherwise; however, when a bearing pile is drivenother than vertically, it is known as a batter pile.Another type of pile is the sheet pile. It is used to resistlateral soil pressure.The following discussion is intended to introduceand familiarize you with some of the common types offoundations and piles that you may be required toinclude in your construction drawings.FOUNDATIONSIn general, all foundations consist of three essentialparts: the foundation bed, which consists of the soil orrock upon which the building or structure rests; thefooting, which is normally widened and rests on thefoundation bed; and the foundation wall, which risesfrom the foundation to a location somewhere above the1-5
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