spread foundation
A foundation distributing structural loads through one or more broad horizontal footings, mats, or pads.
For spread foundation systems, the structural load is literally spread out over a broad area under the building. Spread foundation systems utilize one or more horizontal mats, or pads, to anchor the building as a whole or to anchor individual columns or sections separately. Spread foundations are also known as footing foundations and are a type of foundation often utilized in low-rise buildings.
The footing spreads the supported load across an area of ground. It can support a whole building or individual columns or sections.
One footing or several separate pads are included. The definition does not impose a multiple-footing requirement, despite the common use of separate supports.
Related definitions
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caisson foundation
A foundation consisting of reinforced concrete piers which are poured into drilled holes in the ground. -
floating
An object freely supported by water or another liquid or semi-liquid substance, without a fixed foundation. -
load-bearing wall foundation
A foundation in which the slurry wall or a vertical slab provides major load-bearing structural support. -
mat foundation
A foundation supporting essentially an entire building on a large continuous footing, sometimes combined with piles or caissons. -
mooring
A support arrangement tying a water-supported floating structure to a fixed point, temporarily or permanently. -
no foundation
An object designed to rest directly on the ground through its own cohesive construction, without a built foundation. -
pile foundation
A foundation consisting of vertical supports which are hammered into the ground.