What is the minimum concrete footing width and thickness required for a two-story wood framed dwelling built on soil with a load-bearing capacity of 2500 pounds per square foot and a 20 psf snow load?

The minimum concrete footing width and thickness required for a two-story wood-framed dwelling considers several factors, including the load-bearing capacity of the soil, the live loads from the building, and the snow load.

For a structure built on soil with a load-bearing capacity of 2500 pounds per square foot and a snow load of 20 pounds per square foot, the footing must be designed to safely disperse these loads into the ground. Typically, for two-story structures, the footing must have a robust design to accommodate the increased load from the building height, as well as additional factors for safety.

In this scenario, the choice of 12 inches wide by 6 inches thick is appropriate because it provides a sufficient area to spread the weight of the dwelling over a larger surface area, reducing the pressure applied to the soil beneath. A footing that is 12x6 also complies with building codes that often require minimum dimensions to ensure stability and support for two-story structures, taking into account potential lateral forces from wind or seismic activity as well.

Given the specifics entailed in the question regarding soil capacity and load considerations, the choice of minimum width and thickness is aligned with good engineering practices, ensuring that the footing is adequately sized to support the anticipated loads without