Which factor does NOT affect the settlement of a footing?

The correct understanding of settlement in the context of footings is that it is influenced by soil type, foundation design, and the load applied to the foundation. Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining how much and in what manner a footing will settle.

Soil type has a significant impact on settlement because different soils have varying compressibility and shear strength characteristics. For example, clay soils generally exhibit more settlement under load compared to sandy soils, which are typically more stable.

Foundation design also affects settlement because the shape, size, and type of foundation can influence how load is distributed across the soil. A well-designed foundation can minimize differential settlement and improve overall performance.

The load applied is a direct factor; greater loads can lead to more significant settlement, especially in weaker soils. Understanding these relationships is essential for engineers to ensure that structures are safe and serviceable throughout their intended lifespan.

The answer stating that none of these factors affect settlement does not align with the fundamental principles of geotechnical engineering. All three factors explicitly influence the behavior of a footing under load, making the assertion that 'none of these' affect settlement incorrect.