Final answer:
Grade beams and retaining walls are typically used when building footing on sloped land, although pier-and-beam construction can also be applied with modern adjustments for leveling and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
When building footing on sloped land, grade beams or retaining walls are commonly used. Pier-and-beam construction is a specific technique that could be applied in such a scenario, which involved using vertical timber piers settled into the ground to support the structure above. However, on sloping landscapes, grade beams can be used to level out where the piers sit, ensuring the structure remains level. Retaining walls are also crucial for stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion around the footing. Unlike the post-in-ground or poteaux en terre technique, where vertical timbers are pounded directly into the ground, modern pier-and-beam construction involves digging to stable soil and placing piers on which beams are laid to support the floor structure.
The selection between using piers, grade beams, retaining walls, or helical piles depends on the specific conditions of the site, including the degree of the slope, the soil conditions, and other engineering considerations. In contrast with early construction methods like poteaux en terre, modern methods would more likely utilize concrete piers or helical piles. The material for filling in walls, like bousillage or wattle and daub, is less relevant for foundation construction but provides historical context for building materials.