A Brief Guide to Strip Footing: Types, Use Cases, Advantages, and Disadvantages

A good foundation of home is very necessary to have in order to ensure safety, durability, and long-term stability. The foundation is what serves as the base that distributes the building’s load evenly into the ground. Based on ground conditions and load requirements, foundations are typically classified into two types: shallow and deep. For residential projects where soil near the surface is strong enough, shallow foundations are usually a preferred choice. Shallow foundations are those in which the load transference is primarily through shear resistance of the bearing strata and are laid normally to a depth of 3 meter.

Out of the various types of shallow foundations, strip footing is one of the most widely used. Its design is particularly suited for load-bearing walls and is popular due to its strength and cost-efficiency in smaller structures.

What is a Strip Footing?

A strip footing is a type of shallow foundation constructed as a continuous strip of concrete beneath walls or a series of closely spaced columns. It spreads the weight of the structure across a larger area, helping to prevent localized stress on the soil.

Built using concrete and often combined with steel reinforcements, strip footings provide a balanced load transfer and are adaptable to different soil conditions. Their straightforward construction and suitability for various small-scale buildings make them a common choice in residential projects across diverse site conditions.

The Best Uses of Strip Footing

Strip footings are most effective when used under load-bearing walls or closely placed columns. Their continuous layout ensures even distribution of loads, making them ideal for:

• Residential projects with low to medium height

• Structures built on soils with high bearing capacity

• Sites where shallow excavation is feasible and safe

• Projects requiring cost-effective foundation solutions

In cases where soil strength is lower, reinforced concrete strip footings are used to meet load demands. For effective performance, the width of the strip is often at least twice that of the wall it supports.

Types of Strip Footings

There are several variations of strip footings designed to meet specific site and structural needs. The following are commonly used:

• Plain Concrete Strip Footing

  Suitable for light structures built on firm soil. These are straightforward and economical for low-rise buildings.

• Reinforced Strip Footing

  Equipped with steel reinforcements to handle heavier loads or weaker soils. Often used in larger residential projects.

• Stepped Strip Footing

  Ideal for sloping ground. The step design allows load to be transferred uniformly across uneven terrain.

• Wide Strip Footing

  Applied where the soil has poor load-bearing capacity. The footing is made wider and reinforced to provide stability without requiring deeper excavation.

Suitability of Strip Footings

Strip footings are best suited for specific structural and soil conditions. They work well when:

• Load-bearing walls need continuous support across their length

• Closely spaced columns require a connected base

• Soil conditions allow shallow excavation

• Projects demand straightforward construction methods

• Differential settlement must be minimized

• Budget-friendly solutions are needed for smaller buildings

• The site has stable, non-expansive soil conditions

Their ability to handle sloping terrain and their flexibility in layout design make them a practical foundation option in many architectural plans.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Strip Footing

The following table clearly points out the key advantages and disadvantages of Strip Footing:

Strip footing is a dependable foundation method for small to medium residential projects, particularly where soil strength near the surface is sufficient. Its continuous layout supports load-bearing walls effectively while distributing weight evenly to reduce the risk of structural settlement.

By using appropriate materials like steel reinforcements where needed and aligning with soil conditions and building load requirements, strip footings offer a durable and cost-conscious solution. However, thoughtful design and accurate soil assessment are essential to avoid the limitations of this shallow foundation system.