6872foundations (structural elements)TTen-USVocabulário Colaborativo em Artes e Arquitetura active approved foundations (structural elements)Parts of structures, usually located below ground level, that transmit building loads to the soil or rock underneath; when specifically distinguishing the support systems and areas of structures below ground, including the foundation, from the above-ground portions, use "substructures."

Source: AAT 

http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300000919

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