What does a continuous footing support?

A continuous footing is designed to support a continuous wall, providing an integral foundation that distributes the load of the wall over a larger area of soil. This type of footing is particularly advantageous for masonry or concrete walls, as it helps to prevent settlement and provides stability. By extending along the length of the wall, the continuous footing ensures that the wall's weight is evenly supported, reducing the risk of structural issues.

While continuous footings can also be used to support multiple columns or other structural elements, the defining characteristic is their connection to and support of an uninterrupted wall system, which is the primary reason why this choice is considered the most accurate. Other types of footings, such as isolated footings or spread footings, are more appropriate for supporting single or multiple columns independently rather than a long wall.