The substructure of a building transfers the load of the building to the ground and isolates it horizontally from the ground. This includes

foundations Foundation may refer to: * Foundation (nonprofit), a type of charitable organization ** Foundation (United States law), a type of charitable organization in the U.S. ** Private foundation, a charitable organization that, while serving a good caus ...

and basement

retaining wall Retaining walls are relatively rigid walls used for supporting soil laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides. Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain soil to a slope that it would not naturally keep to ...

s.Designing Buildings https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Substructure It is differentiated from the

superstructure A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships. Aboard ships and large boats On water craft, the superstruct ...

. It safeguards the building against the forces of wind, uplift, soil pressure etc. It provides a level and firm surface for the construction of

. It also prevents unequal or differential settlement and ensures stability of the building against sliding, overturning, undermine due to floodwater or burrowing animals.

References

{{reflist Building engineering