The _____________________ is the bottom part of the foundation that transmits the buildings loads to the surrounding soil.

The footing is the correct term for the bottom part of a foundation that is primarily designed to distribute the loads of a building to the soil beneath. Footings are crucial because they provide stability and help prevent settlement or shifting of the structure over time. They are typically wider than the walls they support, which allows them to effectively spread the weight of the building over a larger area.

In construction, the footing is usually constructed from concrete and must be placed below the frost line in colder climates to prevent heaving due to freeze-thaw cycles. The specific design and type of footing may vary based on the load requirements and the characteristics of the soil, including its bearing capacity and other factors.

Other terms such as slab, base, and pad refer to different elements of construction. A slab typically refers to a flat, horizontal surface that serves as a floor or pavement, rather than a foundational element. The term base is more general and can refer to any foundational support but lacks the specificity of footing. A pad often describes a specific type of foundation element used in different contexts, such as for machinery or equipment, and does not convey the general foundational purpose that footings serve in load distribution.