Table 1. Comparison of foundations in timber, reinforced concrete, and steel structures

Structure type	Timber structure	Reinforced concrete structure	Steel structure
Foundation materials	Concrete+waterproof membrane, anchor bolts	Reinforcement bars+concrete	Reinforced concrete+anchor plates, bolts
Primary foundation type	Strip foundation, pad foundation	Mat foundation, pile foundation	Mat foundation, pile foundation, pad foundation
Load distribution	Light structure allows for shallow foundations	Heavy loads require deep and strong foundations	Strong vertical load distribution through pile foundations
Foundation cost	Low cost (shallow foundations possible)	Medium cost (use of rebar and concrete)	High cost (requires pile foundations and anchor plates)
Seismic performance	Flexible, good seismic performance	Heavy structure, more prone to seismic shock	High elasticity, excellent seismic performance
Construction speed	Fast construction possible	Requires curing time for concrete	Quick construction with prefabricated foundations
Waterproofing & durability	Vulnerable to moisture, requires waterproofing	Resistant to moisture but prone to cracking	Requires anti-corrosion treatment for durability