ABSTRACT
FOUNDATIONS ON ROCK Rocks encountered in nature might be igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. Granite and basalt belong to the first group. Granite is primarily composed of feldspar, quartz and mica possesses a massive structure. Basalt is a dark-colored fine grained rock. Both basalt and granite under unweathered conditions serve as a very good foundation base. The most important rocks that belong to the second group are sandstones, limestones and shales. These rocks are easily weathered under hostile environmental conditions and as such, the assessment of bearing capacity of these types requires a little care. In the last group come gneiss, schist, slate and marble. Of these rocks gneiss serves as a good bearing material whereas schist and slate possess poor bearing quality.
