In conventional light-frame construction, what is the minimum thickness of the spread footing on soil with a load-bearing value of 2,000 psf?

In conventional light-frame construction, the minimum thickness of spread footings is typically determined based on factors such as the load-bearing capacity of the soil and the applied loads from the structure. With a soil load-bearing value of 2,000 psf, the minimum thickness of a spread footing is generally set to ensure adequate support and load distribution to prevent issues like settling or cracking.

A thickness of 6 inches is commonly specified because it provides a good balance between sufficient structural integrity, construction efficiency, and placement ease. It helps to adequately distribute the loads over the soil surface while allowing for enough material to avoid potential shear or punch-through failures.

In general construction guidelines, spread footings are often designed with thicknesses ranging from 6 inches and up, depending on various factors such as the depth of frost, structural load requirements, and environmental considerations. Thus, 6 inches is widely accepted as a standard minimum in many contexts, especially when structural loads and soil bearing capacity come into play.