Week 7

Eccentricity and Bearing

Capacity of Foundations

Effect of eccentric footing on

bearing capacity

B
B = B-2e
why????????????

Effect of eccentricity on
foundation base
The bearing capacity equation is
developed with the idealization that the
load on the foundation is concentric.
However, the forces on the foundation
may be eccentric (i.e., foundation
subjected to additional moment). In such
situations, if the loads are eccentric in
both directions, then; the base of
foundation (B x L) shall be considered
as:

eB=MB/P , eL=ML/P
B = B 2eB
L = of
L foundation
2eL
Further, area
to be
considered for safe load carried by
foundation is not the actual area, but the
effective area is:

A = B x L

eB must be B/6

Eccentrically Loaded Foundations

Bearing pressures at corners-Two way

eccentricity

Verify stability of footing for the

effect of one-way bending moment

qs qmax
When eB<B/6

qmin

P
6e B

(1
)
BL
B

MB

qmax

P
6eB

(1
)
BL
B

Verify stability of footing for the

effect of one-way bending moment
When eB >B/6
What happens?
There will be separation of foundation
from soil beneath and stresses will be
redistributed; Not recommended

P
MB

Effect of two-way bending

moment
We change B to B to be used in the bearing capacity calculation:
B=B-2eB L=L-2eL
eB=MB/P

qs qmax

max

=)

min

ML
MB

B
=)

MB
ML

Verify stability of footing for the

effect of two-way bending moment
To calculate the bearing capacity we have to
change: B to B =B-2eB
P

and L to L = L-2eL
ML

A =B x L
MB
eB=MB/P
eL=ML/P

Example1: Eccentrically loaded

Foundation/one-way moment
For the rectangular footing shown, draw the pressure distribution below the footing
base for the following conditions:
B=3m, L=5m, Q=1600kN, M = 800 kN-m
MB
Solution:
Q
eB=MB/P =800/1600 =0.5m

max

min

=)

eB=MB/P =800/1600 =0.5m

=)
0.0kN

q min =1600/3x5 (1-6x0.5/3 - 0) = 0.0kN

q max =1600/3x5 (1+6x0.5/3+0) =213.33kN

213.33kN

Example 2:
(Eccentrically loaded foundation/twoway moment)
A square footing (1.8x1.8)m with
a (0.4x0.4)m square column. It is
loaded with an axial load of 1800
kN and Mx =450 kN.m; My =360
kN.m. The soil has =36 and
C=20kN/m2 . The footing depth D
=1.8m; the soil unit weight =18.0
kN/m; the water table is at a
depth of 6.1 m from the ground
surface. Find the effective footing
dimensions to contain the applied
Solution:
moments.
1- Refer to the red and orange
boxes to the right.
2- In this footing we should
switch the footing dimensions
L=1.3m to become the smaller
dimension and B=1.4m to
become the longer dimension.

(Eccentrically loaded Mat/Raft

foundation)
For the mat
foundation and
loading shown, find
the pressure intensity
values (q) at points A
to F. All columns
measure (0.5x0.5)m

Solution

Example: One & TwoWay Eccentricity

Given:
- Grain silos as shown;
- Proposed raft dimensions = 50m x
50m
- Each silo has a diameter of12m and an
empty
weight of
29 MN; can hold up to 110 MN of
grain.
- Silos are 24m apart (c/c) from each
other
- Weight of raft = 60 MN
- Silos can be loaded independently of
each other
Find: Design the raft by checking:
1. Whether or not eccentricity will be
met with the various loading

One-Way Eccentricity
One-Way Eccentricity
Largest Loading:
two adjacent silos full and the rest
empty
Q = (4)(29) + 2(110) + 60 = 396 MN
M = (2)(110)(12) = 2640 MN-m
e = M/Q = 2640/396 = 6.67m
B /6 = 50/6= 8.33 m > 6.67 m
Eccentricity OK for one-way
eccentricity, i.e., (No negative
pressures)

Two-Way Eccentricity
Largest Loading:
one silo full and the rest empty
Result of Two-Way - Eccentricity
Analysis

eB = eL = 4.62 m

B = L = 50.0 m (proposed
foundation)
Equivalent Footing Dimensions
B = B 2eB = 50.0 (2)(4.62)
B = 40.8 m = L (as B = L and eB =
eL)

End of Week 7