Compared with a slab placed on separately poured footings, a thickened-edge slab foundation:
Correct Answer
B) Is cast as one unit with its edge footings
A thickened-edge (monolithic) slab is placed in one pour, with the slab edges thickened to act as the footing, instead of pouring footings first and the slab separately. Reinforcement, frost protection and bearing depend on design and site conditions; such slabs often contain reinforcement, can be used in cold climates with frost protection, and normally bear on suitable compacted soil rather than requiring bedrock.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B is correct because a thickened-edge slab is placed in one pour, with the slab edges thickened to serve as the footing. This differs from the alternative of pouring footings first and placing the slab separately.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Requires no steel reinforcement of any kind
Option A is wrong because a thickened-edge slab does not inherently require no steel reinforcement. Reinforcement depends on design and site conditions, and such slabs often contain it.
Option C: Is limited to warm, frost-free climates
Option C is wrong because a thickened-edge slab is not limited to warm, frost-free climates. It can be used in cold climates when the design provides appropriate frost protection.
Option D: Must rest directly on undisturbed bedrock
Option D is wrong because a thickened-edge slab does not need to rest directly on undisturbed bedrock. It normally bears on suitable compacted soil, with bearing requirements set by design and site conditions.
Monolithic means one pour
Mono means one: a monolithic thickened-edge slab is one continuous pour where the edge is the footing.
How to use: Use this to distinguish a thickened-edge slab from a slab on separately poured footings.
Exam Tip
For foundation questions, focus on how the system is built; reject options that state rigid requirements about bedrock, climate or reinforcement that depend on design.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Assuming slabs contain no reinforcement
- -Thinking slab foundations cannot be used in cold climates
- -Believing slabs must bear on bedrock
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests knowledge of foundation types. A thickened-edge, or monolithic, slab is poured in one placement with its edges thickened to act as the footing, unlike a slab poured separately on top of footings placed earlier.
Background Knowledge
Common residential foundations include slab-on-grade, crawl space and basement systems. A slab can be monolithic, with thickened edges acting as footings, or placed separately over footings and foundation walls. Appraisers describe the foundation type but do not certify structural adequacy.
Real-World Application
An appraiser inspecting a ranch home in a mild-climate subdivision notes from builder plans that the house sits on a monolithic slab with thickened edges. The appraiser reports a slab foundation in the Improvements section without commenting on structural engineering details beyond what is observed.
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