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What Is Spread Footing?

Spread footing, also known as continuous footing, is a type of foundation commonly used in construction. It is a reinforced concrete slab that extends under the entire perimeter of a structure, distributing the weight of the building evenly over the soil.

Spread footings are typically used in low-rise buildings where the loads are relatively light and the soil can adequately support the weight of the structure. They are also commonly used in residential construction, such as for homes, garages, and sheds.

The size and depth of a spread footing depends on a variety of factors, including the weight of the structure, the type of soil, and the climate and environmental conditions of the area.

Engineers use soil tests and other data to determine the necessary size and depth of the footing.

One of the advantages of spread footings is that they distribute the weight of the structure over a larger area, reducing the pressure on the soil and preventing settling or sinking.

They are also relatively simple to construct and can be adapted to a variety of soil types and building configurations.

Overall, spread footings are a reliable and cost-effective foundation option for a wide range of construction projects.

By instructing that the size and depth of the footing are appropriate for the specific conditions of the site, engineers can help ensure that the finished structure is stable, durable, and safe.

Also Read: Plaster Finish Types

Spread Foundation

The Spread foundation enlarges at the bottom in order to provide individual support to the column or bridge abutment in case of a bridge.

Spread foundation can be categorized under shallow foundation with many of its subtypes.

Types of Spread Foundation

Following are the types of foundations categorized under Spread Foundation,

1. Wall Spread Footing

Wall Footing is also known as strip footing. These types of wall footing strips of continuous concrete could spread the load of the structure to a wide area of soil.

This is one shallow type of footing that can be constructed as plain cement concrete footing or reinforced concrete footing.

Wall footings are constructed in the form of a pad or spread and strip footings, used to support structural and nonstructural walls by transmitting and distributing the loads to the soil, in such a way that the load-bearing capacity of the soil does not exceed.

Construction of Wall footing is very flexible and can be done using stone, brick, plain concrete, or reinforced concrete in an efficient way.

Conditions suitable for the laying of wall footing are that it is constructed where the load transmitted is of small magnitude and the underlying soil layer is of dense sand and gravel.

Such conditions are best suited for small buildings; hence we can see small buildings with wall footing.

Also Read: Dead Load and Live Load

2. Isolated Footing or Column Footing

Isolated Footing known as Column Footing, Pad Footing, or Isolated Spread Footing is used to carry the imposed by the columns and transfer evenly to the soil beneath. As that of wall footing, it could also consist of either reinforced or non-reinforced material.

Isolated footings are economical, easy to construct, require less excavation operation, and are easy to construct.

It is carefully designed considering soil bearing capacity and is safe from any sliding and overturning effect. It also properly resists ground settlement under the earth.

In the construction industry, an isolated footing is among the most used foundation used to support single columns when there is a long distance between columns.

It is applied when the geotechnical properties of the soil do not drastically change in the foundation area. It is also a financially beneficial kind of foundation.

Spread Footing with Pier Usage

Spread footings are used to support a foundation or set of piers below a building. To add additional support, spread footings are constructed with concrete and reinforced with steel.

Also Read: Sand Physical Properties