___ lie directly on the foundation wall and provide a bearing for floor joists.

___ lie directly on the foundation wall and provide a bearing for floor joists.

• A. Piers
• B. Footings
• C. Sills
• D. Posts

Answer: (C)

In wood-frame construction, the horizontal member that sits directly on the foundation wall and provides a bearing surface for the floor system is called the sill. It lies on top of the foundation and ties the wall framing to the foundation, often anchored with bolts to prevent movement. The floor joists rest on this sill, transferring their load into the foundation through the wall. Piers and posts are vertical supports that carry loads downward to footings, not horizontal bearing surfaces for joists. Footings are the widened bases below grade that spread the load into the soil and don’t sit directly on the foundation to bear the floor.

In wood-frame construction, the horizontal member that sits directly on the foundation wall and provides a bearing surface for the floor system is called the sill. It lies on top of the foundation and ties the wall framing to the foundation, often anchored with bolts to prevent movement. The floor joists rest on this sill, transferring their load into the foundation through the wall. Piers and posts are vertical supports that carry loads downward to footings, not horizontal bearing surfaces for joists. Footings are the widened bases below grade that spread the load into the soil and don’t sit directly on the foundation to bear the floor.