Description

This module provides the principles for good foundation design, including up-to-date practice and implementation of Royal Commission recommendations.

Developed jointly by MBIE and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society, Module 4 is part of the Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Practice series and relates specifically to earthquake resistant foundation design.

Scope

This module of the Guidelinesis concerned with the geotechnical design of building foundations to resist earthquake loading. The geotechnical performance of the site, including issues of soil liquefaction, cyclic softening, lateral spreading and stability during shaking may have a significant effect on the performance of building foundations (or even dominate performance in the case of soil liquefaction and lateral spreading) and must be carefully considered prior to selecting a suitable foundation type or commencing foundation design. Module 2 of the Guidelines should be consulted for much additional information on planning and executing a suitable site investigation and module 3 provides detailed guidance on assessing the liquefaction hazard.