Foundation (engineering)
![Shallow foundations of a house versus the deep foundations of a skyscraper.](/Images/godic/202502/01/Image-Found-House-Apt1031.png")
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![Shallow foundation construction example](/Images/godic/202502/01/-Construcción_de_una_cimentación_por_zapata_aislada.ogv1031.jpg")
![Inadequate foundations in muddy soils below sea level caused these houses in the Netherlands to subside.](/Images/godic/202502/01/Stompwijkseweg_68-70,_Stompwijk,_Netherlands1032.JPG")
A foundation (or, more commonly, foundations) is the element of an architectural structure which connects it to the ground, and transfers loads from the structure to the ground. Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep. Foundation engineering is the application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (Geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundation elements of structures.