FOUNDATION
By Chetan More
Foundation is the lower portion of the building usually located below ground level,
which transmits the loads of the super structure to the supporting soil. A foundation
is therefore that part of the structure which is in direct contact with the ground to
which loads are transmitted.
Functions of foundations:
1. REDUCTION OF LOAD INTENSITY: Foundation distributes the loads of the super structure, to
a larger area so that the intensity of the load at its base (i.e. total load divided by the total area) does
not exceed the safe bearing capacity of the sub-soil.
2. EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF LOAD: Foundations distribute the non-uniform load of the super
structure evenly to the sub soil. Due to this, unequal or differential settlements are minimized.
3. PROVISION OF LEVEL SURFACE: Foundations provide a leveled and hard surface over which
the super structure can be built.
4. LATERAL STABILITY: It anchors the super structure to the ground, thus imparting lateral
stability to the super structure. The stability of the building, against sliding and overturning, due to
horizontal forces (such as wind, earthquake etc.) is increased due to foundations.
5. SAFETY AGAINST UNDERMINING: It provides the structural safety against undermining or
scouring due to burrowing animals and flood water.
6. PROTECTION AGAINST SOIL MOVEMENTS: Special foundation measures prevents or
minimizes the distress (or cracks) in the super structure, due to expansion or contraction of the sub
soil because of moisture movement in some problematic soils.
Foundations are Classified as Shallow and Deep Foundations.
Shallow foundations: Include Pads (Isolated Footings), Combined Footings, Strip
footings and Raft Foundations.
Deep foundations : Include Piles, Pile walls, Diaphragm Walls and Caissons.
Q) Design the Isolated Pad Footing for a Column of Size 300 x 600 carrying a load of 1300
KN and resting in a soil of S.B.C 240 kN/m². Check for Single Shear and or Check for
Double Shear.
Design:
1) Size of Footing
(Load + 10%) (1300 + 130)
Area of Footing = = = 5.95 m²
S.B.C 240
Size of Square Footing = √5.95 = 2.44m
• However as our column is rectangular we will shall convert this square size of 2.44 x 2.44 by
(600 − 300) (d − b)
adding and subtracting from each side = 150 i.e.
2 2 . This will give us equal
overhangs.
• Hence One side = 2440 +150 = 2590 ≈ 2600
• Hence the other side = 2440 -150 = 2290 ≈ 2300
Hence size of base of footing = 2600 x 2300
2. Depth by B.M
(Load) 1300
Upward Pressure = = = 217.39 ≈ 218 < S.B.C ….so safe
Area Required (2.6 x 2.3)
Upward Pressure x (OverHang)² 218 x 1 x 1²
B. Mmax = = = 109 Knm
2 2
Factored B. Mmax = 1.5 x 109 = 163.5 x 10⁶ Nmm
Calculate Depth de by M.R = 0.134 fck b de²
163.5 x 10⁶ = 0.134 x 20 x 1000 x de² ……….(where b = 1000)
de = 246.99mm
• As generally this depth fails in shear we shall double it and consider two layers of 12mm
Steel
o de = 493.99, do = 493.99 + 50 +12 + (12/2) = 561.99 ≈ 600,
o Hence de = 600 – 50 – 12 - (12/2) = 532
Hence final de = 532 and do = 600
M.R 163.5 x 10⁶
3. Ast = = = 872mm²
0.87 fy X 0.81 de 0.87 x 500 x 0.81 x 532
Area of 1 bar x 1000 113 x 1000
Spacing of 12mm bars = = ≈125c/c
Ast 872
So Provide 12mm Steel in both directions at 125c/c
No of bars in 1000mm are 8 nos
Design Shear Strength Table
% of Steel Shear Strength
4. Check for Single Shear
0.15% 0.28N/mm²
100Ast 100 x 113 x 8 0.25% 0.36N/mm²
% of steel ≈ = 1000 x 532 = 0.169%
b x de
Hence for 0.169% Interpolate = 0.295 N/mm² (0.28 + (0.36 – 0.28) x 1.9/10)
• Single Shear is effective at a distance of de from the face of the column.
• Remaining Distance = 1000 – 532 = 468mm = 0.468m
As Shown in the Diagram Area under Singe Shear = 468mm x 2300mm
Hence Single Shear = Upward Pressure x Area = 218 x 0.468 x 2.3 = 234.65kN
Hence Factored Single Shear = 1.5 x 234.65 = 351.982kN = 351982 N
Single Shear Stress = Factored Single Shear/ Area Resisting Single Shear
= 351982/532 x 2300 = 0.287N/mm² < 0.295N/mm² So Safe in Single Shear.
5. Check for Double Shear
Double Shear is Effective at a distance of de/2 i.e. at a distance of 532/2 = 266 from face of
Column
600 + 532 = 1132 mm
Area under Double Shear = (2.6 x 2.30) – (0.832 x 1.132) = 5.03m²
Double Shear Force = 218 x 5.03 = 1098.32 kN
Factored Double Shear = 1.5 x 1098.32 = 1647kN = 1647 x 10³ N
Area Resisting this Double Shear is the perimeter of this Area x de
= 2 (1132 + 832) x de = 3928 x 532
Factored Double Shear
Shear Stress =
Area Resisting Double Shear
1647 x 1000
= 3928 x 532
= 0.78N/mm² < 1.11N/mm² (i.e. 0.25√fck = 0.25√20 = 1.11N/mm²)
Hence Safe in Double Shear
6. Schedule of Footing
Note: In-spite of doubling the depth, the single shear stress requirement is just met; it
would be a good idea to have even more depth or more spread to reduce Upward Pressure
Footing is subjected
1) Bending Moment
2) One way Shear
3) Two way shear
Combined Footings are provided in the following cases
1. When Individual pads begin to overlap, due to any of the following reasons
A) Column Loads are very High and Column sizes are kept small using greater
percentage of steel
B) Columns are closely spaced
C) S.B.C of soil is low
2. So that loads are evenly distributed to effect equal settlement in foundations
3. When one Footing goes beyond the Property Line
Q-) Problem: Two columns of size 400 x 400 and 500 x 500 each carrying a load of
1200 and 1500 kN rest in a soil of 220 kN/m². They are spaced 2.4m apart centre to
centre.
1. Do the above columns require a combined footing? If so
2. Design the base of the combined footing. Draw a plan of the same.
Answer:
1) Need of Combined Footing
Load + 10% 1200 + 120
Base of footing for column no 1. = = = 6 m²
SBC 220
Side of square footing = √6= 2.449 m
Load + 10% 1500 + 150
Base of footing for column no 2. = = = 7.5 m²
SBC 220
Side of square footing = √7.5= 2.738 m
Half of base of col 1. Footing + Half of base of col 2. Footing
= 1.224+1.369 = 2.593 > 2.4m (c/c distance between the columns)
The individual pads over-lap. Hence there is a need for combined footing
2) Design the Pad of the Combined Footing
Total Load + 10% 1200 + 1500 + 120 + 150
Area of combined footing = =
SBC 220
1980
= = 13.5 m²
220
For a combined footing we may have to assume one side as 1.2m or 1.5m or 1.8 m
Or take length as 2times or 2.5times or 3times the width.( as per different
circumstances)
Let l = 2b
Hence l x b = 13.5, 2b x b = 13.5, b = 2.598
Let us take b = 2.6m and l = 5.2m
We will have to see that the c.g. of the two loads passes through the geometric
centre
R x Y= 1500 x 2.4 (moment of resultant about col1 = moment of col 1 + moment of
column 2)
Hence 2700 x Y = 1200 x 0 + 1500 x 2.4
Hence Y = 1.333m = 1333mm
We shall calculate the overhangs in the following manner.
Note the Overhang is greater on the side of the higher load.
The Final Dimensions of the footing are:
Note: The Decision about the proportions of the length and Width is a prerogative of the
Structural Designer
The syllabus asks us to draw a typical S.F.D and B.M.D of this Combined Footing to
understand the Reinforcement Detailing.
Upward Pressure = Load/ Area provided = 2700/5.2 x 2.6 = 199.7kN/m²
Hence upward load per unit meter = 199.7 x 2.6 = 519.22kN/m
