A ___ formed in the foundation wall usually supports the ends of a girder.

A ___ formed in the foundation wall usually supports the ends of a girder.

• A. Pier
• B. Pocket
• C. Sill
• D. Footing

Answer: (B)

A pocket formed in the foundation wall serves as a bearing seat for the ends of a girder. This recess, often called a beam pocket, lets the ends of the girder rest securely in the masonry, transferring load directly into the foundation and keeping the beam at the correct height and alignment with the wall above. A vertical support like a pier provides support for loads in the wall plane, but it’s not the recessed seat for a girder. The sill is a horizontal member at the base of openings or the top of a foundation wall, not the bearing point for a girder. A footing is the broad base that spreads load under the wall, not a cavity that receives the ends of a girder. So the feature described is a pocket.

A pocket formed in the foundation wall serves as a bearing seat for the ends of a girder. This recess, often called a beam pocket, lets the ends of the girder rest securely in the masonry, transferring load directly into the foundation and keeping the beam at the correct height and alignment with the wall above. A vertical support like a pier provides support for loads in the wall plane, but it’s not the recessed seat for a girder. The sill is a horizontal member at the base of openings or the top of a foundation wall, not the bearing point for a girder. A footing is the broad base that spreads load under the wall, not a cavity that receives the ends of a girder. So the feature described is a pocket.