Considering the continuous footing shown in Figure $9\mathrm{.}3,$ assume the soil properties $(,E,m,$ etc.$),B,$ and $q_o$ are exactly the same in $($a$),($b$),$ and $($c$).$ Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($a$)$ depicts a footing at the ground surface on an infinitely deep soil layer, Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($b$)$ depicts a footing at the ground surface with a rigid layer at depth $H,$ and Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($c$)$ depicts a footing embedded at depth $D_f$ with a rigid layer at depth $H.$

Which footing will have the most elastic settlement?

Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($a$)$

Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($b$)$

Figure $9\mathrm{.}3($c$)$