What type of walls are constructed on top of footings?

Foundation walls are specifically constructed on top of footings to support the weight of the structure above and to provide a solid base that prevents settling or shifting. These walls are critical in transferring loads from the structure down to the footings, ensuring stable support for the building. Foundation walls also serve to protect the interior of the building from moisture and environmental elements, creating a barrier against water intrusion from the ground.

Understanding the roles of other types of walls can also clarify the distinction. Load-bearing walls, for example, play a crucial role in supporting the structure but do not necessarily sit directly on footings; they may stack above foundation walls. Shear walls provide stiffness and resistance to lateral forces, such as wind and seismic activity, but they too are not specifically constructed on footings like foundation walls. Wall studs typically refer to the framing members used in the wall construction of a building but do not directly relate to the foundational aspects of the structure. Hence, the correct answer is foundation walls, as they are the walls specifically designed to be built directly on footings.