Designing for the Ground Below: Foundation Recommendations That Last

Foundation & Design Recommendations

Before the first bucket of soil is moved, the foundation must be designed to match the ground it will rest on.

After subsurface investigations are complete, our engineers analyze the soil and rock data to determine how the building should be supported. This is where Zannino Engineering shifts from gathering information to providing the geotechnical direction that drives the rest of the project.

Using the results from test borings and in-situ testing, we assess how much weight the ground can safely carry and what type of foundation system will work best for the structure.

For most projects, this means recommending foundation elements that sit directly on the ground, such as:

• Footings – widened portions at the base of columns or walls that help spread out the load,
• Ground-supported floors – concrete slabs placed directly on prepared soil.

• Bringing the ground to the correct elevation,
• Improving or replacing soil that can’t support the planned loads,
• Managing groundwater or moisture conditions,
• Adding the right type of compacted soil (called engineered fill) beneath slabs or footings.

In areas with challenging soil conditions — such as shrink-swell clays, soft or saturated material, or deeper weak zones — we identify the risks and provide the specific solutions needed to ensure long-term performance. That may include soil improvement, moisture control, or recommending deeper foundations when appropriate.

These recommendations become the blueprint for what happens once construction begins. They tell contractors how to prepare the site, what soils can stay, what must be improved or replaced, and how to build a foundation that will remain stable over time.

By linking what lies below the surface with how the structure is ultimately supported, Zannino Engineering provides the geotechnical roadmap that shapes every stage of construction, from design through earthwork and beyond.

Come Build On Our Foundation.