Editing Foundation (engineering) (section)

==Design==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Stompwijkseweg 68-70, Stompwijk, Netherlands.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Inadequate foundations in muddy soils below sea level caused these houses in the Netherlands to [[Subsidence|subside]].]]
Foundations are designed to have an adequate load capacity depending on the type of subsoil/rock supporting the foundation by a [[geotechnical engineer]], and the footing itself may be designed structurally by a [[structural engineer]]. The primary design concerns are [[consolidation (soil)|settlement]] and [[bearing capacity]]. When considering settlement, total settlement and differential settlement is normally considered. Differential settlement is when one part of a foundation settles more than another part. This can cause problems to the structure which the foundation is supporting. [[Expansive clay]] soils can also cause problems.