What do continuous strip footings primarily support?

Continuous strip footings are specifically designed to support foundation walls. They are long, continuous concrete structures that run beneath the entirety of a wall and help distribute the weight of the structure above to the soil below. This design is critical in ensuring stability, particularly in buildings with continuous walls, as it provides a large surface area for load distribution, reducing the risk of settlement or shifting.

While continuous strip footings do indeed support gravity loads, that description is somewhat broader, as gravity loads are also supported by other structural elements like beams and slabs. Piers and columns are typically supported by isolated or pad footings, which are distinct from continuous strip footings in their design and purpose. Thus, the primary function of continuous strip footings is clearly to provide support for foundation walls, making them essential in the construction of stable structures.