Distribution of forces in a strip foundation

1. Reinfoced concrete strip foundations are used to support and transmit the loads from heavy walls .
2. THe effect of the wall on the relatively thin foundation is to act as a poit load , and the resultant ground pressure will induce tension on the uderside across the width of the strip
3. Tensile reinforcement is therefore required in the lower face of the strip , with distrivution bars in the second layer running longitudinally
4. The reinforcement will also assist the strip in spanning any weak pockets of soil encountered in the excavations