Amirhossein Ebrahimipour - Ph.D. Candidate, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Abolfazl Eslami - Professor, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Meysam Imani - Assistant Professor, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Reza Imam - Assistant Professor, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

The substructure of a building can be realized as a “foundation system” comprising structural components and its surrounding soil. Common foundation classifications mainly focus on the depth to width ratio, defining foundations as shallow and deep. Considering various construction methods, different foundation behaviors and project complexities, the need for more comprehensive classification systems is undeniable. It is aimed in this paper to introduce a new foundation classification concept based on the load transfer mechanism. Versatile categories are addressed by simulating foundations behavior to structural elements performance. Consequently, four types of actions and performances have been realized: section, vector, surface and block (hybrid). Case studies comprising different structures, geomaterials and foundations have been compiled and studied to clarify the role of each interaction. Through a statistical approach, foundation systems have been compared and contrasted considering technical issues such as bearing capacity, serviceability, stability and practical issues that include environmental, economic and social factors. An overall performance assessment of foundation systems has been proposed

Foundation system, new classification, technical, performance, sustainability