Wall Footing

Definition

A Wall Footing is a continuous spread footing that supports a uniform load from a wall.

Purpose

The purpose of a wall footing is to distribute the load from a wall over a larger area of soil, preventing the wall from settling or shifting. It ensures the structural stability of the building.

Examples of Use

• Residential Construction: Used in the foundation of homes to support exterior and interior load-bearing walls.
• Commercial Buildings: Provides support for partition walls and exterior walls in office buildings.
• Retaining Walls: Supports the base of retaining walls, distributing the load to prevent soil movement.

Related Terms

• Footing: The base or bottom part of a foundation that spreads the load to the ground.
• Foundation: The structural element that transfers the load from the building to the ground.
• Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports weight from above and transfers it to the foundation.

Notes

Proper design and construction of wall footings are critical to prevent settlement and ensure the longevity of the structure. They must be designed to handle the specific loads and soil conditions of the site.