Skirted foundations fixed to the edges of shallow foundations have been used for a considerable time, principally to increase the "effective depth" of the foundations in marine and other situations where water scours may be a problem. This method of improvement does not need excavation of the soil, and hence it cannot be restricted by the presence of a high water table. Sometimes, the shallow foundation is bounded by a close obstruction like wall. This wall has an effect on the bearing capacity of footing, whose behavior in this case can be similar to a skirted foundation in which a structural skirt is located at one side of the footing. The footing in this case is termed "bounded footing".