The document discusses substructure and foundations of buildings. It defines substructure as the lower part of a building constructed below ground level, which transfers loads from the superstructure to the underlying soil. Foundations are classified as shallow or deep, with shallow foundations used for smaller, lighter buildings in depths up to 3 meters, and deep foundations for larger, heavier buildings at depths over 20 meters. Shallow foundation types include individual footings, combined footings, strip foundations, and raft/mat foundations. The document provides details on the design and purpose of each type of shallow foundation.