semelle
Draft – to be validatedn. f. · footing · foundation (UK, depending on context) · semelle filante: strip footing (US), strip foundation (UK) · semelle isolée: spread footing (US), pad foundation (UK)
Definition
Partie élargie, en béton armé, à la base d'un mur ou d'un poteau, qui répartit la charge du bâtiment sur le sol. On parle de semelle filante quand elle suit un mur ou une ligne de poteaux, et de semelle isolée quand elle est sous un seul poteau.
The widened, reinforced-concrete base under a wall or a column, which spreads the load of the building over the ground. A continuous one under a wall or a line of columns is a strip footing; one under a single column is an isolated (pad) footing.
Diagram
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRBonjour, merci de confirmer la profondeur d'assise des semelles filantes après le rapport géotechnique.
ENHello, please confirm the founding depth of the strip footings following the geotechnical report.
Spoken (standard)
FRLes semelles isolées sous les poteaux font un mètre vingt de côté.
ENThe isolated footings under the columns are 1.2 meters square.
Spoken (informal)
FROn coule les semelles demain matin, les ferrailleurs doivent finir ce soir.
ENWe're pouring the footings tomorrow morning, the rebar crew has to finish tonight.
To review: realism in a French office (FR), naturalness of the English (US).
Nuances and pitfalls
Several words depending on the shape. French says semelle filante (under a wall or a line of columns) and semelle isolée (under one column). In English the terms differ between the US (strip or continuous footing, spread footing) and the UK (strip foundation, pad foundation). To be confirmed by the US and UK reviewers.
Semelle and foundation are not synonyms. The semelle is the widened base of the foundation; fondations is broader (footings, raft, piers, piles). In English, foundation often means the whole and footing the widened part. To be confirmed by the reviewers.
Not to be confused with the sole plate of light framing (the bottom plate of a stud wall), which has nothing to do with a foundation footing. To be confirmed by the US reviewer.
Related terms
fondationsradierbéton de propretélongrinedalle sur terre-pleinRegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : pending
- Diagram : ✓ validated
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