Differentiating between footings and foundations is important for anyone who plans on doing any type of construction.
This guide will explain the difference between footings and foundations, why it’s important to differentiate, and how to do so.
Differentiating Between Footings and Foundations.
What is a Foundation?
A foundation is the lowest part of a building, typically below ground level, that distributes the load of the building evenly across the ground. The purpose of a foundation is to support the weight of the building and keep it from sinking into or shifting in the ground. There are different types of foundations, depending on how deep they go into the ground and what type of soil they are built on.
What is Footing?
A footing is the lower part of a foundation or wall that spreads out the load over a larger area. This helps to prevent the foundation or wall from shifting or sinking into the ground. Footings are usually made of concrete, but they can also be made of other materials, such as stone or brick.
How are Footings and Foundations Used Together
Footing and foundations work together to support a building and keep it from shifting or sinking into the ground. The footing spreads out the load over a larger area, while the foundation supports the weight of the building.
The Importance of Differentiating Between Footings and Foundations.
What Happens if You Don’t Differentiate Between Footings and Foundations
If you don’t differentiate between footings and foundations, you could end up with a very weak or unstable structure. The foundation is the most important part of any building, so it’s crucial that it be built correctly. If you mix up the terms and build a footing where a foundation should be, or vice versa, your building could collapse.
How Differentiating Between Footings and Foundations Can Save You Time and Money
Differentiating between footings and foundations can also save you time and money. If you know what you’re doing, you can avoid costly mistakes that could delay your project. In some cases, differentiating between footings and foundations can also help you choose the right materials for your project.
Differentiating between footings and foundations can also help you troubleshoot problems that may arise during your project. If you know the difference between the two, you can more easily identify the source of the problem and find a solution. In some cases, differentiating between footings and foundations can also help you avoid problems altogether.
How to Differentiate Between Footings and Foundations.
Use the Right Terms When Searching for Information
When you’re searching for information on footings and foundations, it’s important to use the right terms. Foundation is a general term that can refer to many different things, so you’ll need to be specific when you’re looking for information. Footings are a specific type of foundation, and they’re usually used in conjunction with other types of foundations.
Be Familiar with the Different Types of Footings and Foundations
There are many different types of footings and foundations, and each has its own purpose.
Continuous wall footing is a type of footing that’s typically used for walls.
Isolated footing is a type of footing that’s typically used for isolated columns or piers.
Combined footing is a type of footing that’s typically used when two or more loads are applied to a single point.
Strap footing is a type of footing that’s typically used when loads are applied at an angle to a column or pier.
Strip footing is a type of footing that’s typically used when loads are applied evenly across a strip of land.
Understanding the Differences Between Footings and Foundations
Footings are usually narrower than foundations, and they don’t extend as deep into the ground. Foundations support the entire structure, while footings only support specific parts of the structure. Footings are typically made from concrete, while foundations can be made from concrete, stone, brick, or even wood.
Types of Footing
Continuous Wall Footing
Continuous wall footing is a type of footing that is used to support an entire continuous wall. This type of footing is usually used for load-bearing walls or walls that are taller than average. Continuous wall footing is typically made out of concrete and is reinforced with steel rebar.
Isolated Footing
Isolated footing is a type of footing that is used to support an isolated column or pier. This type of footing is typically made out of concrete and is reinforced with steel rebar. Isolated footings are usually used for smaller structures such as sheds, decks, and porches.
Combined Footing
Combined footing is a type of footing that supports two or more columns or piers. Combined footings are typically made out of concrete and are reinforced with steel rebar. Combined footings are usually used for larger structures such as office buildings and apartment complexes.
Strap Footing
Strap footing is a type of footing that consists of two strip footings that are connected by a strap or beam. This type of footing is typically used for walls that are taller than average or for walls that have uneven loads (such as retaining walls). Strap footings are usually made out of concrete and are reinforced with steel rebar.
Strip Footing
Strip footing is a type of footing that consists of a strip of material (usually concrete) that runs along the length of a wall or other structure. Strip footings are typically used for load-bearing walls or walls that are taller than average. Strip footings are usually made out of concrete and are reinforced with steel rebar.
Types of Shallow Foundation
Strip footing
A strip footing is a type of shallow foundation that is used to provide support for a structure along a line or wall. Strip footings are typically used for load-bearing walls and are placed at regular intervals along the length of the wall. The width of the strip footing is usually equal to the thickness of the wall it is supporting.
Spread or isolated footing
A spread or isolated footing is a type of shallow foundation that is used to provide support for a single column or pier. Spread footings are typically square or rectangular in shape and are placed at regular intervals beneath the columns they are supporting. The size of the footing is determined by the load it is required to support.
Combined footing Strap or cantilever footing
A combined footing, also known as a strap or cantilever footing, is a type of shallow foundation that consists of two separates but connected footings. Combined footings are typically used to support structures with unequal loads, such as an L-shaped building. The size and placement of each individual footing is determined by the load it must support.
Mat or raft Foundation
Raft footing is a type of deep foundation which is used to support a structure on a very soft or unstable soil. Mat foundations are often used in areas with poor soil conditions or high-water tables.
A raft foundation is basically a large concrete slab that extends over the entire area of the building, and rests on the soil below.
The weight of the building is evenly distributed across the raft foundation, which helps to prevent any sinking or shifting of the structure.
There are several advantages to using a raft foundation:
1. It can be used on any type of soil, even very soft or unstable soils.
2. It evenly distributes the weight of the building, which helps to prevent any sinking or shifting of the structure.
3. It is less expensive than other types of deep foundations, such as piles or caissons.
4. It is relatively easy to construct.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using a raft foundation:
1. The large concrete slab required for a raft foundation can be difficult and expensive to pour and finish.
2. Raft foundations are not as strong as other types of deep foundations, and so they are not suitable for very large or heavy buildings.
Types of Deep Foundation
Buoyancy rafts (hollow box foundations)
A buoyancy raft is a deep foundation that uses the principle of buoyancy to support a structure. The most common type of buoyancy raft is the hollow box foundation, which consists of a concrete box filled with air or another gas.
The weight of the structure is supported by the buoyant force of the gas, and the box prevents the structure from sinking into the ground.
Buoyancy rafts are typically used in soft soils or where the water table is high. They can also be used in seismic zones to provide additional stability during an earthquake.
Advantages of buoyancy rafts include their relatively low cost and easy installation. They can also be used to support very large structures.
Disadvantages include their susceptibility to scour (erosion caused by moving water) and their reliance on pumps to maintain the air or gas pressure inside the box.
Caissons
A caisson is a deep foundation that consists of a watertight chamber open at the bottom. It is typically made of steel, concrete, or wood, and it is sunk into the ground using hydraulic jacks. Once in place, it is filled with concrete or other materials to form a solid base for a structure.
Caissons are often used in riverbeds or other bodies of water where conventional foundations would be unstable. They can also be used in soft soils or where the water table is high.
Advantages of caissons include their ability to support very heavy loads and their resistance to scour.
Disadvantages include their high cost and difficulty of installation.
Cylinders
A cylinder is a deep foundation that consists of a cylindrical shaft sunk into the ground and filled with concrete or other materials.
It is typically made of steel, concrete, or wood, and it can be either open at the bottom or closed at the bottom with a base plate. Cylinders are often used in soft soils or where the water table is high.
Advantages of cylinders include their relatively low cost and easy installation.
Disadvantages include their susceptibility to scour and their limited load-bearing capacity compared to other types of deep foundations.
Shaft foundations
A shaft foundation is a deep foundation that consists of a shaft sunk into the ground and filled with concrete or other materials.
It is typically made of steel, concrete, or wood, and it can be either open at the bottom or closed at the bottom with a base plate. Shaft foundations are often used in soft soils or where the water table is high.
Advantages of shaft foundations include their relatively low cost and easy installation.
Disadvantages include their susceptibility to scour and their limited load-bearing capacity compared to other types of deep foundations.
Pile foundations
A pile foundation is a deep foundation that consists of a pile driven into the ground and filled with concrete or other materials.
It is typically made of steel, concrete, or wood, and it can be either open at the bottom or closed at the bottom with a base plate. Pile foundations are often used in soft soils or where the water table is high.
The weight of the building is then transferred from the piles to the firm layer of soil below.
There are several advantages to using pile foundations:
- They can be used on any type of soil, even very soft or unstable soils.
- They transfer the weight of the building to a firm layer of soil below, which helps to prevent any sinking or shifting of the structure.
- They are relatively easy to construct.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using pile foundations:
- Piles can be expensive to install, especially if they need to be driven deep into the ground.
- Piles can be damaged by waterlogging or flooding, and so they may not be suitable for all locations.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between a footing and a foundation, it is important to consider the purpose of the structure.
If the purpose is to support a large structure, then a foundation would be the better choice.
However, if the purpose is to support a smaller structure, then a footing would be the better option.
Differentiating between footings and foundations is important because it can save you time and money. If you don’t differentiate between the two, you may end up with a foundation that doesn’t meet your needs.
Here are many different types of footings and foundations, so it’s important to use the right terms when searching for information.
Be familiar with the different types of footings and foundations, and understand the differences between them.
