What is the minimum footing width of a one-story light frame construction building?

What is the minimum footing width of a one-story light frame construction building?

• A. 24 inches
• B. 6 inches
• C. 15 inches
• D. 12 inches

Answer: (D)

Footings distribute the wall load over the soil, so they must provide enough bearing area to prevent excessive settlement. For a one-story light-frame building, the minimum width is 12 inches because this width offers a reliable bearing surface for typical loads and soil conditions while keeping costs reasonable. A footing as narrow as 6 inches would risk insufficient bearing and greater settlement, while widths like 15 or 24 inches are unnecessary for simple one-story construction unless soil or load conditions require larger footings. In practice, 12 inches is used as the standard minimum, with adjustments only if the soil bearing capacity or frost/structural requirements demand it.

Footings distribute the wall load over the soil, so they must provide enough bearing area to prevent excessive settlement. For a one-story light-frame building, the minimum width is 12 inches because this width offers a reliable bearing surface for typical loads and soil conditions while keeping costs reasonable. A footing as narrow as 6 inches would risk insufficient bearing and greater settlement, while widths like 15 or 24 inches are unnecessary for simple one-story construction unless soil or load conditions require larger footings. In practice, 12 inches is used as the standard minimum, with adjustments only if the soil bearing capacity or frost/structural requirements demand it.