Abstract: The authors mainly introduce the application of shallow foundation in Shaoyang of a high-rise building in this paper, and emphasize the importance of elaborately investigate in overburden when in high-rise buildings, and also point out the feasibility of shallow foundation in some high-rise buildings at certain geological conditions. According to the results of soil test and in-situ test, the bearing capacity and deformation of the soil have been analyzed. At the same time, the authors reveal the hydrogeology conditions, and put forward two foundation projects. At last, the shallow foundation has been adopted basing on factors of construction, economy, safety and environment. The largest settlement is only 5.0mm and the average value is 3.4mm, which is far less than the national standard limits, after the project having been completed. In addition, this scheme save cost about 800 thousand yuan and shorten the construction period about 2 months comparing with the traditional rock-socketed pile foundation. So, the shallow foundation can be adopted in high-rise buildings at certain geological conditions, it can save cost and shorten the construction period.