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Introduction
Under normal conditions, square and rectangular footings are economical
for supporting columns and walls. However, under certain circumstances,
it may be desirable to construct a footing that supports a line of two or more
columns. These footings are referred to as combined footings. When more
than one line of columns is supported by a concrete slab, it is called a mat
foundation.
Combined footings can be classified generally into four categories:
(1) Rectangular combined footing
(2) Trapezoidal combined footing
(3) Strap footing
Mat foundations are generally used with soil that has a low bearing
capacity. This chapter has been demonstrated in two distinct parts, which
are as given as under:
Part A: Geotechnical design, and
Part B: Structural design.
A. Isolated Footing
Most economical type.
It can be rectangular, circular or square.
It is preferred that the shape of the footing matches the shape of column
above.
A=B×L
B. Combined Footing
(1) Rectangular combined footing
In such a case, two or more columns can be supported on a single
rectangular foundation. If the net allowable soil pressure is known, the size
of the foundation (B × L) can be determined in the following manner:
𝐶1
𝐿 = 2 (𝑋 + )
2
𝐶1
𝐿2 = 𝐿 − 𝐿1 −
2
𝑄2 𝐿1
𝑋=
𝑄1 + 𝑄2
𝐿 𝐶1
𝑒= −𝑋−
2 2
If 𝒆 > 𝑳/𝟔, use the following equation:
4(𝑄1 + 𝑄2 )
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) =
3𝐵(𝐿 − 2𝑒)
𝐵 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
Otherwise, use the following equation:
𝑅 6𝑒
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) = (1 + )
𝐵×𝐿 𝐿
𝐵 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
𝐵1 + 𝐵2
𝐴= 𝐿 (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1)
2
𝐵1 + 2𝐵2 𝐿
𝑋 + 𝐿2 = ( ) (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2)
𝐵1 + 𝐵2 3
Solving equations (1) and (2):
𝐵1 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
𝐵2 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
𝐵1 + 𝐵2
𝐴= 𝐿 (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1)
2
𝐶1 𝐵1 + 2𝐵2 𝐿
𝑋+ =( ) (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2)
2 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 3
𝐵1 + 𝐵2
𝐴= 𝐿 (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1)
2
𝐶1 𝐵1 + 2𝐵2 𝐿
𝑋+ =( ) (𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2)
2 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 3
Solving equations (1) and (2):
𝐵1 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
𝐵2 = 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
Engr. Yasser M. Almadhoun Page 8
Civil Engineering Department: Foundation Engineering (ECIV 4052)
𝑅 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
Engr. Yasser M. Almadhoun Page 9
Civil Engineering Department: Foundation Engineering (ECIV 4052)
𝑄2 ×𝑑
𝑋𝑟 =
𝑅
𝐿1 = 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛/𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑
𝑊1 𝐿1
𝑎 = 𝑋𝑟 + −
2 2
𝑏 = 𝑑 − 𝑋𝑟
𝑅×𝑏
𝑅1 =
(𝑎 + 𝑏)
𝑅2 = 𝑅 − 𝑅1
𝑅1
𝐴1 =
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡)
𝑅2
𝐴2 =
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡)
However, the width of a raft foundation is larger than those of the isolated
spread footings. The depth of significant stress increase in the soil below a
foundation depends on the width of the foundation. Hence, for a raft
foundation, the depth of the zone of influence is likely to be much larger
than that of a spread footing. Thus, the loose soil pockets under a raft may
be more evenly distributed, resulting in a smaller differential settlement.
Accordingly, the customary assumption is that, for a maximum raft
settlement of 50 mm (2 in.), the differential settlement would be 19 mm
(0.75 in.).
The net pressure applied on a foundation (as shown in the Figure below)
may be expressed as:
𝑄
𝑞= − 𝛾𝐷𝑓 ≤ 𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑎𝑙𝑙)
𝐴
Example 8.3/4
See example 8.3/4 in textbook, page 363.
Compensated foundation
The net pressure increase in the soil under a mat foundation can be reduced
by increasing the depth Df of the mat. This approach is generally referred
to as the compensated foundation design and is extremely useful when
structures are to be built on very soft clays. In this design, a deeper
basement is made below the higher portion of the superstructure, so that
the net pressure increase in soil at any depth is relatively uniform.
Example 8.5/6
See example 8.5/6 in textbook, page 367.
Engr. Yasser M. Almadhoun Page 14
Civil Engineering Department: Foundation Engineering (ECIV 4052)
𝑋′
𝑋̅
𝑌′
𝑌̅
Step 1: Determine the resultant load and the location of the mat centroided:
𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + ⋯ + 𝑄3
𝐵
𝑋̅ =
2
𝐿
𝑌̅ =
2
Step 3: Determine the pressure on the soil, q, below the mat at points A,
B, C, D, … by using the equation:
𝑄 𝑀𝑦 𝑋 𝑀𝑥 𝑦
𝑞= ∓ ∓
𝐴 𝐼𝑥 𝐼𝑦
where
A = BL
Ix = BL3/12 = moment of inertia about the x-axis
Iy = LB3/12 = moment of inertia about the y-axis
Mx = Q X ey = moment of the column loads about the x-axis
My = Q X ex = moment of the column loads about the y-axis
Step 4: Compare the values of the soil pressures determined in Step 3 with
the net allowable soil pressure to determine whether 𝑞 ≤ 𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) .
Step 5: Divide the mat into several strips in the x and y directions. (See the
previous Figure). Let the width of any strip be 𝐵1 .
Step 6: For example, the average soil pressure of the bottom strip in the x
direction of the previous Figure (a) is:
𝑞𝐼 + 𝑞𝐹
𝑞𝑎𝑣 ≈
2
The total soil reaction is equal to qavB1B and the total column load on the
strip is expressed as 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 + 𝑄4 .
Note that: 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 + 𝑄4 = qav B1 B
because the shear between the adjacent strips has not been taken into
account. For this reason, the soil reaction and the column loads need to be
adjusted, or:
qav B1 B + (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 + 𝑄4 )
𝑄𝑖(𝑎𝑣) =
2
𝑄𝑖(𝑎𝑣)
𝑞𝑎𝑣(𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑) = qav ( )
qav B1 B
Step 7: Calculate the modified column loads FQ1, FQ2, FQ3, and FQ4.
𝑄𝑖(𝑎𝑣) 𝑄𝑖(𝑎𝑣)
𝐹= =
𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 + 𝑄4 𝑄
where
F = column load modification factor
𝑄𝑖(𝑎𝑣)
𝐹𝑄𝑖 = 𝐹×𝑄𝑖 = ×𝑄𝑖
𝑄
Step 8: Draw the Shear Force Diagram (SFD) and the Bending Moment
Diagram (BMD) for this strip, and the procedure is repeated in the x and y
directions for all strips.
Step 9: Design (i.e. check punching shear and determine the required area
of reinforcing steel bars) the strip for the maximum shear and the maximum
moment using any adopted code version (i.g. ACI Code 318, in any
version, is highly recommended).
Example 8.7/8
See example 8.7/8 in textbook, page 380.
Problems