Structure Inspection Section#1 Footings and Foundations Quiz#2

You should have finished Study Session 1 and Quick Quiz 1 before starting this Study Session. This Study Session includes an Introduction to Structure inspections and the functions, types and materials of footings and foundations.

The estimated completion time is one and a half hours.

Objectives
At the end of this Study Session, you should be able to:

• List two functions of footings and foundations.
• Define dead loads and live loads in one sentence each.
• List seven common soil types in order of strength.
• Describe in one sentence how frost can affect foundations.
• List three common foundation configurations.
• List three common slab-on-grade arrangements.
• Describe in one sentence each the following: 1) spread footings, 2) pad footings, 3) pilasters, 4) piles, 5) piers, 6) grade beams.

Explain the difference between a full structural review and a performance-based inspection.

A structural review includes an analysis of the design. A home inspection is a field review based on the test of time and evidence of performance or non-performance of the system. A full structural review would typically include reviewing calculations or checking codes to ensure proper sizing and arrangement of components.

Explain the difference between a live load and a dead load. Give examples.

Live loads vary, such as people, wind, and snow. Dead loads are relatively fixed, such as building materials.

List three common foundation configurations and footing types

Common foundation configurations include basements, crawl spaces, and slab-on-grade. 
Common foundation types include spread footings, pad footings, piles, and piers.

There are several different materials that a foundation might be made of. List as many as you can.

Foundation materials include concrete, concrete block, cinder block, brick, clay tile, stone and wood

What is the difference between a pilaster and a pier?

A pilaster is a thickening of a foundation wall to accommodate the concentrated load of a beam or column. A pier is a stand-alone structural member that can be thought of as a column sunk into the ground.

What is the difference between a strip footing and a pad footing and where would each be used?

A strip footing or spread footing is used under a foundation wall. A pad footing is used under a column. Pad footings distribute concentrated loads. Strip footings handle more evenly distributed loads.

What is the function of a footing? - a foundation?

Footings transfer the live and dead loads of the building to the soil over a large enough area so that neither the soil nor the building will move. In areas where frost occurs, footings prevent frost from moving the building. Foundations transfer loads from the building to the footings. Foundations may also act as retaining walls, resisting lateral soil pressure, for example.

Why is it critical to document how the crawl space was inspected?

Your client has to understand the limitations of your inspection. Crawl spaces can be troublesome. If you couldn?t get a good look, your client should understand that there is a greater risk of unforeseen problems

When a foundation is supported on piles, are the piles typically visible for inspection?

No

As long as the footing is below the frost line, it is not a problem to let the temperature in the basement to go below freezing.

False. 

If the building is not heated, the frost line will be lowered. If the depth of frost is two feet, for example, it may be expected to be two feet below the basement floor if the home is not heated.