Why this matters
Foundation reactions sit at the boundary between structural and geotechnical engineering. When that boundary is mis-handled, the rework lands on the owner — never on either consultant.
Five questions to ask before signing off
- Which combinations were used to derive the reactions? Service vs. ultimate; with or without seismic; static-only or with crane impact.
- Are uplift cases captured? Light-roof PEBs in low-load zones routinely exhibit net uplift under wind. Missing this leads to anchor-bolt pull-outs.
- Is moment reported at column base or at top of pedestal? A 1.2 m pedestal changes the moment significantly.
- Are crane reactions reported separately? Combined reactions hide the dynamic component.
- What is the basis for the assumed soil capacity? A 200 kN/m² assumption sometimes drops to 80 kN/m² after the actual SBC report arrives.
Common failure modes
- Pedestal designed for a moment that has been transformed to a different reference point — leading to over-reinforcement at the top and under-reinforcement at the base.
- Net uplift cases dropped during code combinations.
- Crane impact factor double-counted or missed entirely.
- Anchor bolt pattern mis-aligned to actual baseplate dimensions.
MEC's foundation handover discipline
We deliver foundation reactions with explicit combinations labelled, separate uplift cases, crane reactions broken out, and a written assumption sheet that geotechnical and civil teams can cross-reference. The handover sheet is signed by a senior reviewer.
Lead-magnet download: Our Foundation Reaction Interrogation Checklist — 18 questions to ask your structural consultant before commissioning the foundation. Request the checklist.