Footing

Foundations and Slab on Grade

Our experienced and multi-disciplined team provides practical, reliable, and cost-effective footing solutions for residential building projects across Australia. No matter the size or scope of your development, we can deliver a customised footing design tailored to your site conditions and project requirements.

What are footings, and why are they important?

Footings form the base of a structure and are designed to safely transfer building loads into the supporting ground below. Typically constructed from reinforced concrete, footings are one of the first and most critical components built on site. Correct footing design and construction are essential, as repairs can be complex and costly. Inadequate footings may lead to structural issues such as wall or floor cracking, bulging or distorted walls, and sticking doors or windows.

Key considerations in footing design

Several factors must be assessed during the design process, including:

Foundation type and ground characteristics
Potential movement due to moisture changes (shrink and swell)
Proper distribution of structural loads into the soil
The building’s tolerance to settlement or movement
External influences such as trees, footpaths, and neighbouring structures

Footing documentation typically includes:

Footing dimensions and layou
Locations of all footing elements
Reinforcement details, including concrete cover
Concrete strength and durability requirements

How Geelong Structural Engineers can help

At Geelong Structural Engineers, we design footings in accordance with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards, including AS 3600 (Concrete Structures) and AS 2870 (Residential Slabs and Footings). We also provide site classifications prior to design and compliance inspections during construction to ensure footings are built in accordance with approved engineering documentation. Contact us today to learn more about our footing design services.