What is Foundation (engineering)?
[[File:Deux Jeunes cresant de la terre.jpg|thumb|Boys working on a house foundation in [[Cameroon]].]] [[File:BowFoundation.JPG|thumb|A [[skyscraper]] steel foundation, [[Calgary, Alberta|Calgary]].]] A '''foundation''' is the lowest part of a building. A [[building]] needs a strong foundation if it is to stand for a long time. A heavier building or softer [[soil]] needs a deeper foundation. To make a foundation, engineers dig a [[trench]] in the ground. They dig until they reach solid ground. When the trench is deep enough, it is filled it with strong, hard [[material]]. Sometimes [[concrete]] is used. Concrete can be made stronger by putting long thin round pieces of [[steel]] into the trench. When the concrete dries, the steel ties the foundation together. We call this [[reinforced concrete]]. Once the foundation has been packed down tightly, or dried hard, [[construction]] can start. ==Other websites== {{commons cat-inline|Foundations}} [[Category:construction]]