Final answer:
Steel is not a common material for foundation walls. While concrete, stone, and brick have been traditionally used and provide significant advantages in construction, steel is typically reserved for structural frameworks rather than foundation materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common materials for a foundation wall include concrete, stone, and brick. These materials have been used historically due to their durability and the adequate support they provide for structures. Among the options given, steel is not a common material for a foundation wall, while it is utilized in various construction applications, particularly for structural frames and reinforcements, it is not typically used as a primary material for foundation walls.
Concrete has been a preferred choice for centuries in construction owing to its reliability and predictable properties. It is a mixture of various materials like lime mortar, sand, small pebbles, water, and can also include lightweight coarse aggregate combined with fine aggregates such as shale, clay, or slate. The evolution of lightweight concrete over the last 100 years has led to a reduction in load, faster building rates, remarkable longevity, and better thermal protection, especially when compared to brick. Stone and brick, on the other hand, have been longstanding choices, evident in structures that have withstood the test of time. However, when it comes to Steel, although stainless steel is recognized for its application in making items like cooking pots, it is not favored for foundation construction.