Editing Foundation (engineering) (section)

===Shallow foundations===
{{Main|Shallow foundation}}
[[File:Construcción de una cimentación por zapata aislada.ogv|thumb|Shallow foundation construction example]]
Often called ''footings'', are usually embedded about a meter or so into [[soil]]. One common type is the spread footing which consists of strips or pads of concrete (or other materials) which extend below the [[frost line]] and transfer the weight from walls and columns to the soil or [[bedrock]].

Another common type of shallow foundation is the slab-on-grade foundation where the weight of the structure is transferred to the soil through a [[concrete]] slab placed at the surface. Slab-on-grade foundations can be reinforced mat slabs, which range from 25&nbsp;cm to several meters thick, depending on the size of the building, or post-tensioned slabs, which are typically at least 20&nbsp;cm for houses, and thicker for heavier structures.

Another way to install ready-to-build foundations that is more environmentally friendly is to use [[screw piles]]. Screw pile installations have also extended to residential applications, with many homeowners choosing a screw pile foundation over other options. Some common applications for helical pile foundations include wooden decks, fences, garden houses, pergolas, and carports.