EP2137354A1

EP2137354A1 - Foundation arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2137354A1
Application number: EP08736791A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marko Moisio; Ville Holopainen
Original assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
Current assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
Priority date: 2007-03-30
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: WO2008119878A1; FI20075216A0; FI20075216L; RU2009135145A

Abstract

The invention relates to a foundation arrangement for a structure or building in which one or more pillars (4) of the structure or building is supported on piles (2) set in the ground, and the foundation arrangement comprises a pile group comprising two or more piles (2) for supporting the pillar (4), the piles (2) being arranged in the horizontal direction around the pillar (4). The foundation ar rangement also comprises a one-piece mounting base (6) supported on the piles (2) of the pile group and made of steel, to which the pillar (4) is supported and fastened with fastening means (8) in such a manner that the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the mounting base (6) essentially as compression or pulling forces to the piles (2) of the pile group.

Description

FOUNDATION ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a foundation arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 , and especially to a foundation arrangement for a structure or building, in which one or more pillars of the structure or building are supported on piles mounted in the ground, and the foundation arrangement comprises a pile group of two or more piles to support the pillar, the piles being arranged in the horizontal direction around the pillar. The invention also relates to a foundation arrangement according to the preamble of claim 25, and especially to a foundation arrangement for a structure or building, in which one or more pillars of the structure or building are supported on the ground.

[0002] Conventionally the foundation of a building is made by mounting piles in the ground to bear the load caused by the building. These piles are mounted in the ground according to the load-bearing capacity of the ground and the load generated by the building. Therefore, the size, number and materials of the piles vary according to the conditions at each time. The top ends of the piles are left to project upwards from the ground. The building in turn comprises essentially vertical pillars that form the load-bearing structure of the building. The pillars are supported according to the prior art on to the piles by casting a concrete sole between the piles and pillars, and the top ends of the piles are located therein. To fasten the pillars, the concrete sole has fastening parts to which the pillars are then fastened.

[0003] A problem with the above arrangement is that casting the concrete sole takes a lot of time. In addition, before building can be continued, the concrete sole must be let dry. Thus, during both the casting and drying, work cannot continue, which in turn increases the building costs. The concrete sole also often needs to be large in surface area, which means that it takes a lot of space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is thus an object of the invention to develop a foundation arrangement in such a manner that the above-mentioned problems can be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by a foundation arrangement according to the characterising part of claim 1 , which is characterised in that the foundation arrangement also comprises a one-piece mounting base made of steel and supported on the piles of the pile group, on which a pillar can be supported and fastened with fastening means in such a manner that the load of the pillar is transmitted in the mounting base as essentially axial compression or pulling forces to be distributed to the piles of the pile group. The object of the invention is achieved by a foundation arrangement according to the characterising part of claim 25, which is characterised in that the foundation arrangement also comprises a one-piece mounting base made of steel and mountable directly to the ground, on which the pillar can be supported and fastened with fastening means in such a manner that the load of the pillar is transmitted in the mounting base as essentially axial compression forces to the ground to an area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the pillar.

[0005] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] The foundation arrangement of the invention provides the advantage that the foundation can be formed according to the invention quickly by means of the steel-structure mounting base in such a manner that a concrete sole need not be cast or the concrete sole can be cast after the pillar has been mounted at a suitable building stage. This way, the casting of the concrete sole does not slow the progress of the building, because the casting of the concrete sole in the conventional manner is slow and its drying also takes time, during which building cannot be continued. Thus, with the foundation arrangement of the invention, it is possible to speed up the foundation stage and the entire building process and also to provide a simple and effective foundation arrangement. This foundation arrangement may be permanent or temporary. A temporary arrangement can be used, for instance, when a concrete sole is also provided in the foundation, whereby it is not necessary to wait for the casting and drying of the concrete sole, and construction can be continued immediately after piling. In such a case, it is possible to dismantle the temporary foundation of the invention on the part of the beams. In addition, by using the foundation arrangement of the invention, the pillars can be positioned at the desired locations regardless of the locations of the piles. The pillar load distributed through axial compression and pulling forces to several piles and/or to a ground surface area larger than the pillar makes it possible to use land more efficiently and, at the same time, to obtain a very food load-bearing capability for the pillar. This way, the point load of the pillar can be distributed to a larger area. In addition, because the structure essentially prevents the creation of bending forces, it is capable of bearing even large loads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0007] The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings in which

Figures 1A and 1 B are schematic representations of an embodiment according to the present invention for supporting a pillar of a building or structure onto piles,

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present invention for supporting a pillar of a building or structure directly to the ground,

Figures 3A and 3B are schematic representations of yet another embodiment according to the present invention for supporting a pillar of a building or structure onto piles,

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the embodiment according to the present invention for supporting a pillar of a building or structure, and

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the embodiment according to the present invention for supporting a pillar of a building or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Figures 1A and 1B show an embodiment of the present invention, in which a foundation according to the invention has been provided for a pillar 4 of a building or structure. In this application, a pillar refers generally to a vertical main pillar of a building or structure, through which the load of the building is supported to the ground. A building or structures often have several of these pillars. The pillar does not refer to a single column or post, such as a lamp post. According to Figure 1 A, the pillar 4 is supported on piles 2 mounted in the ground, and there may be two or more of the piles depending on the application, preferably there are three or more piles 2. According to Figure 1A, the piles 2 are positioned in the horizontal direction movably at a predefined distance from the pillar 4. Preferably the piles 2 are mounted in the ground in such a manner that they are in the horizontal direction around the pillar 4. Further, it should be noted in the present invention that the pile group formed by piles 2 can, in addition to these piles mounted in the horizontal direction around the pillar 4, also comprise a support pile mounted directly below the pillar 4, should this be necessary. The piles 2 of the pile group positioned around the pillar 4 in the horizontal direction are mounted either essentially vertically, parallel to the pillar 4, or slightly askew to the pillar 4 in such a manner that they extend towards the pillar as shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0009] In the embodiment of Figure 1A, the piles 2 are mounted in the ground in such a manner that the top ends of the piles 2 are in the vertical direction at a specific distance, preferably a predefined distance, lower than the bottom end of the pillar 4. Thus, the pillar 4 is supported on the piles 2 by means of a mounting base 6 that is positioned between the bottom end of the piles 2 and pillar 4 and the top end of the piles 2 in such a manner that the pillar 4 is supported and mounted/fastened to the mounting base 6 that in turn is supported and mounted/fastened to the piles 2. The mounting base 6 of the invention is a one-piece entity that during the making of the foundation is mounted and supported as a one-piece entity to the piles 2 of the pile group and on which the pillar 4 is in turn supported after this. The mounting base 6 is manufactured of steel to be suitable for the foundation required at each time. The mounting base 6 is formed to receive the load applied by the pillar 4 and to transmit it on downwards as compression or pulling forces in such a manner that the generation of bending forces in the mounting base is essentially eliminated. In the solution according to Figures 1A and 1B, the load applied by the pillar 4 is transmitted in the mounting base 6 as compression forces to the piles 2 and then on to the ground. The mounting base 6 and piles 2 are preferably provided in such a manner that the load of the pillar is evenly distributed on the piles 2 of the pile group. This way, a structure is achieved, in which the load of the pillar 4 can be transmitted to the ground by means of compression forces to a surface area larger than the cross-section of the pillar.

[0010] In the embodiment of Figure 1A, the mounting base 6 comprises a base plate 22 set on top of the piles 2. The piles 2 and base plate 22 are further connected or fastened to each other. In this embodiment, the connection of the piles 2 and base plate 22 to each other can be made by soldering or welding. Alternatively, the piles 2 can be fastened to the mounting base 6 with connection means that may comprise bushings or holes provided in the mounting base 6 to receive the piles 2. This way, the piles 2 can be fastened to the bushings or holes. Alternatively, the connection means may comprise flange parts provided on the mounting base 6 and piles 2, which are joined together with a bolted joint, for instance, to fasten the mounting base 6 to the piles. Further, pile caps may be mounted on the top ends of the piles 2 to be fastened to the mounting base 6.

[0011] On the top surface of the base plate 22 that extends substantially horizontally in Figure 1A, support plates 12 have been mounted and fastened by welding, for instance, and their surfaces extend substantially vertically, preferably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pillar 4. On top of the support plates 4, fastening means 8 are provided for receiving the pillar 4 and fastening it to the mounting base 6. In this embodiment, the fastening means 8 are a flange joint that is tightened with bolts. A first flange is then provided at the bottom end of the pillar 4 and a second flange is provided on top of the support plates 12, and these flanges are then set and fastened against each other. The support plates 12 are positioned and formed in such a manner that they extend from the bottom of the pillar 4 towards the outer edge of the base plate 22 or until the outer edge as shown in Figure 1 A. The height of the support plates 4 also increases towards the pillar 4 in such a manner that they form together a conical structure that narrows towards the pillar 4. The piles 2 are further positioned close to the outer edge of the base plate 22. According to this structure, the load applied by the pillar 4 to the support plates 12 is transmitted in the support plates 12 as compression forces parallel to their surfaces from the fastening means 8 to the piles 2 and from the piles on to the ground. The structure of Figure 1 A essentially prevents the generation of bending forces in the mounting base 6, whereby the structure is capable of bearing even large loads. The vertical support plates 12 further form a lattice structure for distributing the load of the pillar 4 evenly on the piles 2.

[0012] Figure 1 B shows the foundation of Figure 1A added with a concreting 26. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a side wall 24 extending vertically from the base plate 22 is connected vertically to the base plate 22, and in this embodiment it surrounds the base plate 22. The base plate 22 and side wall 24 then form a concreting space that in the solution of Figure 1 B is filled with concrete 26. It should also be noted that, in this embodiment, the support plates 12 divide the concreting space into compartments, and only some of the compartments can be filled with concrete, if necessary. Together with the mounting base 6, the concreting 26 provides a composite structure that efficiently transmits the load of the pillar 4 and endures even large loads.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment corresponding to that of Figures 1A and 1 B and made to be mounted directly in the ground and not on piles, as the embodiment of Figures 1A and 1 B. Therefore, the above- mentioned matters unrelated to piles also apply to this embodiment. According to Figure 2, the pillar 4 is supported on the mounting base 6 that is mounted directly in the ground. The mounting base 6 comprises a base plate 22 that is set in the ground or alternatively may be fastened to a thin float concrete layer poured on the ground. In some cases, this float concrete layer may also act as the base plate 22. On top of the base plate 22, support plates 12 are mounted which correspond to the support plates of Figure 1A. The surfaces of the support plates 12 extend vertically and at one edge the support plates 12 are fastened to the base plate 22 by welding or mechanically or in some other alternative way. In this embodiment, too, the pillar 4 is fastened on top of the support plates 12 with a flange joint according to Figure 2 as in the embodiment of Figure 1A. According to this embodiment, the load directed by the pillar 4 on the support plates 12 is transmitted in the support plates 12 as compression forces in the direction of the surfaces of the support plates from the fastening means 8 through the base plate 22 to the ground in such a manner that essentially no bending forces are generated in the foundation. The upright support plates 12 further form a lattice structure, whereby the load of the pillar 4 can be distributed as compression forces evenly on the base plate 22 and ground.

[0014] In the embodiment of Figure 2, a side wall 24 extending upwards from the plane of the base plate 22 is set around or joined to the base plate 22. The base plate 22 and side wall 24 form a concreting space that can be filled with concrete as shown in Figure 1B.

[0015] Figure 3A shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which the mounting base 6 is supported on the piles 2. The mounting base comprises a substantially planar base plate 22 that extends horizontally and a spherical calotte 16 mounted on top of it and protruding from the surface of the base plate 22. Fastening means 8 for receiving a pillar and for fastening to the mounting base 6 are provided at the midpoint of the spherical calotte 16. Further, a support (not shown) is provided between the base plate 22 and spherical calotte 16 to extend from the middle of the spherical calotte 16 below the fastening means 8 to the base plate 22. The purpose of the support is to support the spherical calotte in such a manner that it retains its shape under a load.

[0016] In the embodiment of Figure 3A, the base plate 22 further has connection means for receiving the piles 2. In this embodiment, the con- nection means are bushings 28 provided on the base plate 22 to receive the piles 2, in which case the mounting base 6 is supported on the piles 2. Alternatively, the connection means may comprise a flange joint between the base plate 22 and piles 2 or the piles 2 can be equipped with pile caps that are further fastened to the mounting base 6 or holes/openings therein.

[0017] According to Figure 3A, the fastening point of the pillar and the fastening means 8 on top of the spherical calotte 16 are higher than the fastening points of piles 2 to the mounting base, and the spherical calotte 16 extends between the fastening point and base plate in such a manner that the load of the pillar is transmitted to the piles 2 in the direction of a surface of a plate that is shaped like the spherical calotte 16. The edges of the spherical calotte 16 are preferably fastened to the base plate 22 at the connection points of the piles 2, in other words, the spherical calotte 16 extends from the fastening point of the pillar to the connection points of the piles 2, whereby the load of the pillar is transmitted as a compression force in the spherical calotte 16 to the piles and on to the ground. In other words, in this embodiment of Figure 3A, the support plates 4 of Figures 1A and 2 are replaced by a support plate or support plates shaped like the spherical calotte 16.

[0018] Figure 3B shows the embodiment of Figure 3A upside down. In this embodiment the support plate shaped like the spherical calotte 16 is fastened below the base plate 22. The fastening point of the pillar is in turn provided below the plane of the top ends of the piles 2 in such a manner that the fastening means 8 for fastening the pillar to the mounting base are provided on the top surface of the base plate 22 as shown in Figure 3B. However, the fastening means 8 are provided in such a manner that they direct the load of the pillar to the centre point of the spherical calotte 16 below the base plate 22. This can be done by taking the pillar through the base plate 22 and fastening it to the centre point of the spherical calotte 16 on its inner surface or by directing the load of the pillar indirectly by means of the fastening means 8 and/or a separate support, such as the above-mentioned support mounted between the base plate 22 and spherical calotte 16, to the inner surface of the centre point of the spherical calotte 16. According to Figure 3B, the support plate shaped like the spherical calotte 16 extends, as in the embodiment of Figure 3A, between the fastening point of the pillar and the piles. In this case, when the fastening point of the pillar is below the top ends of the piles, the load of the pillar is transmitted to the piles as a pulling force substantially in the direction of the surface of the support plate shaped like the spherical calotte 16.

[0019] In the embodiments of Figures 3A and 3B, it is possible to pour concrete in the space between the spherical calotte 16 and base plate to form a composite structure and to strengthen the foundation. In addition, the spherical 16 may according to Figures 3A and 3B comprise openings or holes that are intended to brace it.

[0020] It is further obvious to a person skilled in the art to replace the spherical calotte 16 in the embodiments of Figures 3A and 3B with a conical support member or plate or the like and end up with the same or nearly the same result. The narrow end of the conical support plate or support plate arrangement then has fastening means for fastening the pillar, and the wide end of the cone is supported to the base plate and/or piles. This way, it is possible to produce a structure in which the load of the pillar is transmitted in the direction of the surface of the conical support plate or support plate arrangement as a compression or pulling force depending on whether the supporting point of the pillar is above the top ends of the piles as in Figure 3A or below the top ends of the piles as in Figure 3B. The conical support plate or support plate arrangement may be in the shape of a truncated circular cone or truncated pyramid or some other conical structure, for instance.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an embodiment according to the present invention in which the mounting base 6 is a lattice structure. The mounting base 6 comprises fastening means 8 for receiving and fastening the pillar. According to Figure 4, these fastening means are provided as a flange 8 on the mounting base 6, to which the pillar can be fastened with a flange joint. The mounting base 6 further comprises a separately extending rod-shaped support member 14 between the fastening means and each pile 2. The support rods 14 are further connected to each other with additional horizontal rods 20. The support rods 14 form together a conical lattice structure whose narrow end receives the pillar and wide end is supported on the piles 2. The load of the pillar is transmitted as axial compression forces in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the support rods from the fastening means 8 to the piles 2. The support rods of the mounting base 6 may have any cross-section and size depending on the application.

[0022] The support rods 14 of Figure 4 are connected to the piles with connection means that comprise flange parts 30. Flanges are provided both at the top ends of the piles 2 and the bottom ends of the support rods and the flanges are joined together with bolts, for instance, to form a flange joint. It should also be noted that the mounting base according to Figure 4 can also be utilised without the piles 2 by mounting the mounting base 6 directly to the ground.

[0023] The mounting base according to Figure 4 can also be equipped with a base plate and/or side wall as shown in Figure 1A, whereby concrete can be poured into the space formed by the base plate and side wall.

[0024] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the mounting base 6 comprising support rods 14 for transmitting the load of the pillar 4 to the piles 2. In this embodiment, the fastening means 8 of the mounting base are provided by having the bottom end of the pillar 4 extend below the top ends of the piles 2 as shown in Figure 5, whereby the fastening point of the pillar 4 to the mounting base 6 is below the top ends of the piles 2. The fastening means 8 are formed as a bushing-like structure arranged to receive the bottom end of the pillar 4 inside it. Alternatively, a pillar cap can be provided or fastened at the bottom end of the pillar 4 or a bolted joint can be provided between the mounting base 6 and pillar 4. The top ends of the piles 2 are further mounted inside the bushings 28 of the mounting base 6. Alternatively, instead of bushings 28, it is possible to use pile caps mounted on the top ends of the piles 2. Between the fastening means 8 and each bushing 28, there is a rod-like support member 14 that transmits the load of the pillar 4 as axial pulling forces in the direction of their axes from the fastening means 8 to the bushings 28 and on to the piles 2. Between the bushings 28, there are also additional rods 20 that connect adjacent bushings 28 to each other. Support rods 14 and additional rods 20 are fastened to the bushings 28 and fastening means 8 with bolted joints, but it is also possible to use some other suitable fastening way.

[0025] Thus, the essential idea of the present invention is to provide a mounting base that is capable of supporting a pillar in such a manner that it is possible to continue building without making a concrete sole. This is achieved with a mounting base according to the invention in which the load of the pillar is transmitted in the mounting base as compression or pulling forces to piles or directly to the ground. In general it can be said that when the supporting point of the pillar to the mounting base is above the top ends of the piles, the load of the pillar is transmitted as compression forces in the mounting base, and when the supporting point of the pillar to the mounting base is below the top ends of the piles, the load of the pillar is transmitted as pulling forces in the mounting base.

[0026] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foundation arrangement for a structure or building in which one or more pillars (4) of the structure or building are supported on piles (2) mounted in the ground, and the foundation arrangement comprises a pile group of two or more piles (2) to support the pillar (4), the piles (2) being arranged in the horizontal direction around the pillar (4), characterised in that the foundation arrangement also comprises a one-piece mounting base (6) made of steel and supported on the piles (2) of the pile group, on which the pillar (6) can be supported and fastened with fastening means (8) in such a manner that the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the mounting base (6) essentially as compression or pulling forces to the piles (2) of the pile group.

2. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the mounting base (6) comprises one or more support members (12; 14) that are arranged to transmit the load of the pillar (4) as a compression or pulling force from the fastening means (8) to the piles (2).

3. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, character i s e d in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are support plates (12) and/or support rods (14).

4. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged upright in such a manner that their surfaces extend substantially vertically.

5. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the support plates (12) form a lattice structure.

6. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged to form a spherical calotte (16) with fastening means (8) at its midpoint for transmitting the load of the pillar (4) in the spherical calotte (16) as compression or pulling forces.

7. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged to form a conical support plate arrangement, with fastening means (8) at its narrow end, for transmitting the load of the pillar (4) in the conical support plate arrangement as compression or pulling forces to its wide end and on to the piles (2).

8. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the mounting base (6) comprises a support rod (18) extending separately between the fastening means (8) and each pile (8) in the pile group, and the support rod is arranged to transmit the load of the pillar (4) as a compression or pulling force essentially in the direction of the axis of the support rod (18) to the piles (2).

9. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the support rods (18) are connected to each other with additional rods (20) between adjacent support rods (18).

10. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the fastening means (8) are provided in the mounting base (6) in such a manner that the fastening point of the pillar (4) to the mounting base (6) is above the top ends of the piles (2), whereby the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the support members (12; 14) as a compression force.

11. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the fastening means (8) are provided in the mounting base (6) in such a manner that the fastening point of the pillar (4) to the mounting base (6) is below the top ends of the piles (2), whereby the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the support members (12; 14) as a pulling force.

12. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the mounting base (6) comprises a base plate (22) that is supported on the piles (2).

13. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are mounted between the base plate (22) and fastening means (8).

14. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are mounted on the top surface of the base plate (22) in such a manner that the fastening point of the pillar (4) to the mounting base (6) is above the top ends of the piles (2), whereby the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the support members (12; 14) as a compression force.

15. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are mounted on the bottom surface of the base plate (22) in such a manner that the fastening point of the pillar (4) to the mounting base (6) is below the top ends of the piles (2), whereby the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the support members (12; 14) as a pulling force.

16. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 12 to

15, characterised in that the circumferential edge of the spherical calotte (16) formed by the support plate or support plates (12) or the circumferential edge of the wide end of the conical support plate arrangement is connected to the base plate (22) and/or piles (2).

17. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 12 to

16, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a vertically extending side wall (24) attached to the base plate (22).

18. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a concreting (26) that is provided in a concreting space defined by the base plate (22) and support plate or support plates (12).

19. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a concreting (26) that is provided in a concreting space defined by the base plate (22) and side wall (24) or base plate (22), side wall (24) and support plates (12).

20. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises connecting means (28; 30) for supporting the mounting base (6) and/or connecting it to each pile (2) of the pile group.

21. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the connection means (28; 20) comprise a bushing part (28) for receiving the pile (2).

22. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the connection means (28; 30) comprise a flange part (30) for supporting the mounting base (6) and/or connecting it to the pile (2).

23. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 20 to

22, characterised in that the connection means (28; 30) for supporting the mounting base (6) to the piles (2) are provided to the base plate (22) and/or support members (12; 14).

24. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

23, characterised in that the piles (2) comprise a pile cap provided or mounted on the top of the piles and/or a pile flange for connecting the piles (2) to the mounting base (6).

25. A foundation arrangement for a structure or building in which one or more pillars (4) of the structure or building are supported on the ground, characterised in that the foundation arrangement also comprises a one- piece mounting base (6) made of steel and mountable directly to the ground, on which the pillar (4) can be supported and fastened with fastening means (8) in such a manner that the load of the pillar (4) is transmitted in the mounting base (6) as essentially axial compression forces to the ground to an area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the pillar (4).

26. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 25, characterised in that the mounting base (6) comprises one or more support members (12; 14) that are arranged to transmit the load of the pillar (4) as a compression force from the fastening means (8) to the ground.

27. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 25 or 26, c h a r- acterised in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are support plates (12) and/or support rods (14).

28. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged upright in such a manner that their surfaces extend essentially vertically.

29. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 28, characterised in that the support plates (12) form a lattice structure.

30. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged to form a spherical calotte (16) with fastening means (8) at its midpoint for transmitting the load of the pillar (4) in the spherical calotte (16) as compression forces.

31. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the support plate or support plates (12) are arranged to form a conical support plate arrangement with fastening means (8) at its narrow end for transmitting the load of the pillar (4) in the conical support plate arrangement as compression forces to its wide end and on to the ground.

32. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the mounting base (6) comprises a conical support grid comprising three or more support rods (14) with fastening means (8) provided at the narrow end of the grid for transmitting the load of the pillar (4) to the ground essentially as compression forces in the direction of the axis of the support grid support rods (14).

33. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the support grid comprises additional rods (20) that connect adjacent support rods (14) to each other.

34. A foundation arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 33, characterised in that the mounting base comprises a base plate (22) that is supported on the ground.

35. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 34, characterised in that the support member or support members (12; 14) are mounted between the base plate (22) and fastening means (8).

36. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a vertically extending side wall (24) joined to the base plate.

37. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 34 or 35, c h a r - acterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a concreting (26) that is provided in the concreting space defined by the base plate (22) and support plate or support plates (12).

38. A foundation arrangement as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that the mounting base (6) also comprises a concreting (26) that is provided in the concreting space defined by the base plate (22) and side wall (24) or base plate (22), side wall (24) and support plates (12).