Talk:Shallow foundation

Nomenclature / Other Topics
There are some names here that I've never heard before. It might be a local thing, in which case we should pick the more common name:


 * Raft Slab vs. Mat-Slab
 * Strip Footing vs. Spread Footing
 * Pad Footing - not present

I'm guessing that a "mat-slab" is equivalent to a raft slab and a "spread footing" is equivalent to a strip footing, but I don't think these are the common names simply because I'm not familiar with them. Also some image labels are incorrect. Mr. Welsh (talk) 13:09, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Strip footing = an unbroken length of relatively narrow foundation, usually of concrete, brick, even timber, supporting, e.g., a length of wall or a line of closely spaced columns (like the one on the picture) (Penguin definition); whereas spread footing = a wide footing (Vmax>2h) where the angel of the strut in the strut and tie model is <45º so that bending of the footing is to be considered. Both footings behave structurally in different ways. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wimvanhoye (talk • contribs) 12:43, 8 September 2011 (UTC)

A problem here is that the article title is vauge. It should be shallow _bearing_ foundations. a short pole retaining wall doesn't really have deep foundations, but isn't the type of thing this article is trying to get through. Is a slab-on-grade really a foundation? certainly they are commonly used in combination with footings, but foundations infer that they support the weight of a structure. slab-on-grade usually on resists live loading and SDL like racking systems. Screw piles should not be in this article. they transmit load below the surface and are not shallow bearing. my take on an introduction: "Shallow bearing foundations resist applied forces through bearing and friction against soil. Shallow bearing resistance theory is given by Terzaghi... Forms of shallow bearing foundations include footings and rafts.  Footings comprise discrete or connected pad and strip foundations.  Rafts comprise a foundation that is the same plan dimension as the building and acts as a rigid block relative to the soil.  A semi-rigid raft is a hybrid between the two systems" rubble trench and earth bag look like forms of strip footings — Preceding unsigned comment added by 103.224.129.1 (talk) 00:30, 1 June 2014 (UTC)