How to decide size of footing |

Calculating the area of the footing is crucial in structural engineering for several reasons:
Load Distribution: The area of the footing determines the amount of soil the structure interacts with. A properly sized footing spreads the load from the structure evenly to the soil underneath, preventing localized soil failure and ensuring structural stability.
Bearing Capacity: By calculating the area of the footing, engineers can ensure that the pressure exerted by the structure on the soil does not exceed its bearing capacity. This prevents settlement, tilting, or even structural failure.
Structural Integrity: Properly sizing the footing ensures that the structure can resist external forces such as wind, seismic activity, and live loads without excessive deformation or failure.
If the area of the footing is not calculated properly, several disadvantages can arise:
Structural Failure: An undersized footing may lead to excessive settlement or even collapse of the structure, especially in areas with weak or compressible soil.Uneven
Settlement: Unequal distribution of load due to improperly sized footings can cause differential settlement, leading to cracks in the structure and potential structural instability.
Costly Repairs: Rectifying foundation issues due to inadequate footing size can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring retrofitting or even complete reconstruction of the foundation.
In summary, accurately calculating the area of the footing is essential for ensuring the structural integrity, stability, and longevity of a building. Improperly sized footings can lead to a range of structural problems and compromise the safety of the entire structure.