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When well foundation is suitable

Short answer

Well foundations are suitable where deep scour requires founding below riverbed, for large vertical/horizontal loads, in soil with boulders or hard layers, variable depth to firm stratum, and in water without sheeting. Advantages: high rigidity and moment resistance, simple equipment, very high load capacity with small settlement, inspectable base, and economical for deep bridge foundations.

What are the situations/advantages where a well foundation is more suitable than the other types of foundations?

A well foundation is more suitable than other foundations in the following situations.

  1. Deep scour: in rivers with deep scour, where the founding level must be well below the bed (bridge piers and abutments).
  2. Large vertical and horizontal loads: the large cross-section gives high bearing capacity and large lateral resistance.
  3. Soil with boulders or hard layers, where piles cannot be driven easily.
  4. Variable soil depth: the well can be sunk through soil of varying depth to reach a firm stratum.
  5. Water at the site: it can be sunk in water without sheeting and open excavation.

Advantages

  • It has large rigidity and gives a large moment of resistance.
  • It is constructed with simple equipment and local labour.
  • It has a very high load capacity: the structure is solid, and settlement is small.
  • It can be inspected at the base, so the quality of the founding stratum is verified.
  • It is economical for deep foundations of bridges and river training works.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5

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