Different Types of Footings in Construction
In construction,
the term the “footing” refers to a structure in which the essential part of a
building or its load is distributed and supported to the foundation soil. Footings enhance stability, prevent settlement, and guarantee structural integrity. There are several types of structures, each designed to a precise soil condition, load importance and structural composition.
Engineers, architects, and builders in the construction industry must
understand the different types of footings.
Types of Footing in Construction:
· Continuous Footing
· Pile Footing
·
Isolated Footing
·
Combined Footing
·
Mat or Raft Footing
·
Strap Footing
·
Spread footing
Continuous footing, or strip footing, extend continuously underneath
a number of columns in a line. This footing is applied if a series of columns
is closely spaced. Continuous footing construction aids in the distribution of
loads equally along the length of the footing, and it gives stability while
minimizing the possibility of differential settlement.
Pile footing consist of embedding long, thin columns (piles)
in the ground to a level where there is stable soil. Pile footing construction
is employed if the topmost soil is weak or compressible and therefore not
practical for using conventional footings. Piles transfer the structure’s load down to
more stronger, more stable soil or bedrock layers found deeper underground. Pile footing is employed in high-rise
buildings, bridges, and waterfront structures.
These footings are
designed to hold up individual columns and in general are square, rectangle or
round in shape. The Isolated Footing is used when the columns are extending
from each other or isolate footing is required for each column. Isolated
footings divide the force of the column down over a large area of the soil
therefore it prevents any kind of settlement. It is mainly used for framed
structures in which the load concentrated at a particular point.
Combined footings support two or more columns in cases where
the columns are close enough that their individual footings will overlap.
Combined footing construction is utilized when the conditions of space
limitation or distribution of loads require a combination solution. Combined
footings tend to be trapezoidal or rectangular and are made to distribute
equally the loads of several columns to the ground.
Mat footings or raft foundations consist of a massive concrete
slab that supports the entire building. Mat footing construction is employed
when column or wall loads are so great that it would be impractical to have
individual footings. Mat footings are well-suited for low-bearing capacity
soils and are typically employed in big buildings, industrial buildings, and
high-groundwater areas.
Strap footings,
well known as cantilever footings, are implemented when columns are located
near a property line, offering minimum clearances for a traditional footing In
this arrangement, the belt beam connects the outdoor footing to the interior
footing. This beam transmits loads from the columns near the boundary to the
interior, helping to ensure overall stability.
Spread footing is
similar to an isolated base, but is designed to distribute loads over a wide
area. It is usually used in places where floor support is less capable. Spread
footings is likely to come in circular shapes, square, rectangular and are
commonly used in both residential and commercial construction.
Conclusion
In Conclusion every kind of footing, whether it is wall, strip, raft
or pile footing has its own specific function and is selected according to the
soil conditions, load requirements and structural design. Proper footing
construction is important to distribute the loads effectively thereby
minimizing the chance of settlement and eventually ensuring the structure and
building last longer and remain sound.
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