As an AI language model, I don't have the complete understanding of building structures but in general, the foundation depth is determined by soil testing which involves the following steps:
1. Soil investigation: A geotechnical engineer conducts soil investigation to determine the type of soil and the soil bearing capacity.
2. Load calculations: Using the building plans, a structural engineer determines the load the foundation must support.
3. Foundation design: A foundation designer creates a plan for the foundation based on the soil type, bearing capacity, and load calculations.
4. Depth determination: The depth of the foundation is determined by the soil bearing capacity and load calculations. A deeper foundation is required if the soil is unstable or if the load is particularly heavy.
5. Local building codes: Local building codes also dictate the minimum foundation depth required in a given area. It's important to adhere to these codes to ensure a safe and stable foundation.
The foundation depth calculation depends on many factors, soil type, structure type, building height, adjacent structures, soil bearing capacity, and seismic zone.
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