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H Design Charts for Pad and

Strip Foundations

Figure H.1 sizing of pad and strip bases

This design chart gives a quick analysis of the relationship
between axial loading and bending moments to find the
required size of base. The chart works equally for total
loads with total allowable bearing pressures and for superstructure loads with net allowable bearing pressures
(providing the weight of foundation and backfill is approximately equal to the weight of soil removed and that the
resultant eccentricity is less than L/6 if superstructure loads
only are considered).
The chart is used by first calculating the value of T/ta (total
load/total allowable bearing pressure) or P/pa (superstructure load/net allowable bearing pressure) and the corresponding eccentricity eT or eP. The length of base has to be
assumed and the value e/L calculated. The value of T/ta or
P/pa is read on the y-axis and a line is taken horizontally to
meet the appropriate e/L line from where a vertical line
is dropped and the value of area required is read from the
x-axis.
Note that the dotted line area indicates where there is
partial zero pressure under the base and that no values are
given for bases where e/L > 13 , as overturning of the base is
likely to become critical in this area.
Examples of the use of the chart in Fig. H.1 are given in
Design Examples 5 and 6 in Chapter 11.

Figures H.2, H.3 and H.4 preliminary

estimation of effective depth required for
reinforced pad bases in bending
These design charts give a preliminary estimate of the
effective depth required of a pad foundation in bending,
beam shear and punching shear respectively, given the
superstructure load and the desired 100(As /bd). Values
of 100(As/bd) range from the minimum reinforcement

requirement of 0.13 to a moderate value of 1.0 (values

greater than 1.0 can be used in the design of reinforced
concrete elements but are outside the scope of these charts).
The charts are based on a uniform bearing pressure and
the requirements of BS 8110 and incorporate an average
partial safety factor p = 1.5 (the superstructure loads used
in the charts do not therefore need to be factored).
Note that these charts are intended to enable the effective
depth to be estimated and are not for direct calculations of
100(As/bd); this should be derived by calculation of the
design moments and shears and the use of BS 8110.

Figure H.2 bending

The value of PL/B (superstructure load length/breadth)
is calculated and read on the y-axis. A line is then taken
horizontally to meet the curve for the required value of
100(As/bd) and a vertical line taken from this point to read
the required effective depth on the x-axis.

Figure H.3 beam shear

The value of P is read on the y-axis and a line taken horizontally to meet the required 100(As/bd) curve applicable to the
base length L, then a vertical line is dropped from this point
to read the required value of effective depth from the x-axis.

Figure H.4 punching shear

The chart in this figure is used in the same manner as the
chart in Fig. H.3.

Choice of effective depth

The highest value of effective depth from Figs H.2 to H.4
should then be used in the design of the pad foundation.
An example of the use of the charts in Figs H.2 to H.4 is
given in Design Example 4 in Chapter 11.

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344 Appendices

e /L = 0.00

0.025
0.05

0.075

0.1
1/6

4.5

0.2
0 < e /L < 1/6:
fully in compression

4
0.25

LOAD/BEARING PRESSURE (m2)

= T/t (all eccentricities) or
= P/p (e/L < 1/6)

3.5

0.3

2.5

1/3

1.5
1/6 < e/L:
partial zero pressure
1

0.5

0
0

Fig. H.1 Sizing of pad and strip bases.

4
5
6
AREA OF BASE A = BL (m2 )

10

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

100

200

300

.75

=0

.5
500

3
0.

EFFECTIVE DEPTH d (mm)

400

=0

.0

Fig. H.2 Estimation of effective depth reinforced pad base in bending.

SUPERSTRUCTURE LOAD (L/B)

= PL/B (kNm/m)

4000
1
0
0A
/bd

=1
S

4500

0.
=

5000

600

0.

800

900
CONCRETE GRADE 35
REINFORCEMENT GRADE 460

700

.13
=0

1000

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Appendices 345

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

100

200

300

AREA A = 1.0 m2

= 0.13

100As /bd = 1.0

A = 4.0 m2

= 0.1

500

= 0.5

EFFECTIVE DEPTH d (mm)

400

Fig. H.3 Estimation of effective depth reinforced pad base in beam shear.

SUPERSTRUCTURE LOAD
= P (kN)

1.0
/bd =
s

100A

1.0
600

00
A
s /b
d=

5000

=0

=0

.25
.13

900
CONCRETE GRADE 35
REINFORCEMENT GRADE 460

700

800

A = 16.0 m2

1000

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346 Appendices

=0

.5

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

100

200

300

AREA A = 1.0 m2

= 0.1

500

EFFECTIVE DEPTH d (mm)

400

A = 4.0 m2

= 0.5

= 0.13

100As /bd = 1.0

Fig. H.4 Estimation of effective depth reinforced pad base in punching shear.

SUPERSTRUCTURE LOAD
= P (kN)

1.0
/bd =
s

100A

1.0
600

00
A
s /b
d=

5000

=0

=0

.25
.13

900
CONCRETE GRADE 35
REINFORCEMENT GRADE 460

700

800

A = 16.0 m2

1000

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Appendices 347

=0

.5