Footings in foundations
Foundations provide support for structures, transferring their load to layers of soil or rock that have sufficient bearing capacity and suitable settlement characteristics.
The term ‘footing’ or ‘footings’ is an ambiguous one that can be interpreted in a number of ways.
In some cases ‘footings’ is used as a synonym for shallow foundations. Shallow foundations are typically used where the loads imposed by a structure are low relative to the bearing capacity of the surface soils. Here, the most commonly used term is ‘strip footing’ (or footings), referring to a strip foundations, used to provide a continuous strip of support to a linear structure such as a wall. Approved Document A of building regulations defines minimum widths for strip footings based on the load of load-bearing walling they support.
‘Pad footings’ or ‘isolated footings’ refer to rectangular or circular pads used to support localised loads such as columns. ‘Raft footings’ or ‘raft foundations’ refer to foundation slabs that cover a wide area, often the entire footprint of a building,
However, the term ‘footings’ is also used sometimes to describe the brickwork or blockwork between the foundation and the damp proof course (DPC) level. In this situation, ‘footings’ maybe constructed as cavity walls, single skin blockwork or as blocks lain on their side.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building foundations.
- Compensated foundation.
- Continuous flight auger piles.
- Ground anchor.
- Ground conditions.
- Ground heave.
- Groundworks.
- How to design a pad foundation.
- Micropiles.
- Pad foundation.
- Pile foundations.
- Raft foundation.
- Screw pile foundations.
- Settlement.
- Slab.
- Stepped foundation.
- Strip foundation.
- Subsidence.
- Substructure.
- Trench fill foundation.
- Types of pad foundation.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.