What structural component is designed to distribute loads from columns and walls to the soil?

The correct answer is footings, which serve a critical role in transferring the loads from the structural elements, such as columns and walls, down to the ground. Footings are typically made of concrete and are designed to spread the weight of the structure over a larger area of soil. This reduces the pressure on the soil and helps prevent settling or shifting that could compromise the stability of the building.

Understanding footings is essential for ensuring that the foundation of a structure is adequate for the loads it must support. They must be designed to account for factors such as soil type, load-bearing capacity, and local building codes. By distributing the loads effectively, footings help ensure that the entire structure remains stable and secure.

Other components mentioned play different roles: trusses are used to support roofs and ceilings, beams are horizontal members that carry loads across spans, and slabs typically refer to flat surfaces, such as floors, that do not have the primary function of transferring loads to the ground in the way that footings do. Each component is important for structural integrity, but footings specifically address the transfer of loads to the soil.