Footing
A footing is the widened base under a wall or column that spreads the building load into the soil.
A footing is the widened base under a wall or column that spreads the building load into the soil.
Definition
A footing is a concrete base, usually wider than the wall or column above it, that spreads weight over enough ground to avoid settling.
A plain example
Illustrative example only: a wall sits on a continuous strip of concrete set below the local frost line. The width and depth come from the engineer or the code table and depend on the soil, not on a rule of thumb.
Why it matters
Most foundation problems trace back to the ground, not the wall. A footing sized for the real soil is what keeps the structure level over time.
Common confusion
A footing is not the foundation wall or the slab. The footing is the base; the stem wall or foundation wall rises from it.
On a project
Get the soil report or local soil assumption, the design bearing value and the required depth below grade in writing before excavation.
Quick answers
- How deep must a footing be? It depends on the local frost depth and soil; the building authority sets the minimum.
- Who sizes a footing? The engineer of record or the prescriptive tables in the local code.
- Can footings be poured on loose fill? Generally not without engineering approval and compaction testing.
Related terms
Always check the project drawings and specification, and confirm requirements with the engineer of record and the local authority.
Questions people ask
How deep must a footing be?
It depends on the local frost depth and soil; the building authority sets the minimum.
Who sizes a footing?
The engineer of record or the prescriptive tables in the local code.
Can footings be poured on loose fill?
Generally not without engineering approval and compaction testing.
Sources and further reading
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