R401.2

Section R401.2 is titled 'Requirements' and covers the requirements for the structural design and construction of foundations. The loads that a foundation must be able to carry and transfer to the supporting soil, and special design required for fill soil is established. The purpose of this section is to prevent structural failure.

The model shows a section of a concrete foundation with a load being applied on top by a symbolic weight (gravity load), from the side by earth and ground water (lateral load), and from the soil below (seismic load). Other loads may also apply but are not represented in this model.