The general practice is to make the footing _____________ as wide as the wall it supports.

• A. Three times
• B. The same width
• C. Half
• D. Twice

Answer: (D)

A footing is made twice as wide as the wall it supports to spread the load over a larger area of soil. This lowers the bearing pressure (force per square inch) on the soil, reducing the risk of settlement, cracking, or frost-related movement. With a footing as wide as twice the wall, the structure gains better stability against tipping or sliding and can tolerate variations in soil strength. If the footing were the same width, the soil would carry more pressure; if it were only half as wide, the pressure would be even higher. A width about twice the wall is a common, practical rule of thumb to ensure a safe, stable base.