Analytical Formulas for Highly-Eccentric Rigid Rectangular Footings on Elastic Soils

A.S. Bezmalinovica,
a Universidad

de Santiago de Chile, Av. Ecuador 3659, Santiago, Chile.

Abstract
This paper is concerned with analytically determining the linear contact pressure distribution under rigid rectangular
footings subjected to high two-way eccentricity. Four cases are considered that describe all potential scenarios for the
given geometry.
For each case, recalling the equations of static equilibrium and the usual assumptions for rigid footings resting on an
elastic soil, relationships between coefficients of a general plane and the loads and dimensions of a rectangular shallow
foundation, are found.
Solutions for the presented system of nonlinear equations can be reached using any conventional numerical scheme.
Several case studies are selected to validate the proposed formulation and to establish its transcendency over graphical,
tabular and iterative methods.
Keywords: shallow rectangular foundation, biaxial loading, two-way eccentricity, linear pressure distribution, active
compression zone, Newton-Raphson method
2016 MSC: 00-01, 99-00

1. Introduction

10

15

20

25

. Due to the typical service conditions of engineering structures, the distinctive load state of foundations has a biax- 30
ial nature. From a Geotechnical Design perspective, the
soil-structure interaction defines the maximum compression stress pmax , transmitted to the supporting material.
This value is then contrasted to the ultimate capacity pu
of the bearing soil.
35
A footing is considered rigid if v 2h [calavera], where
h is the footing height and v the free distance between
a supported column and the footing edge. If the material properties of the bearing soil are conceived elastic,
the ratio of stress to settlement is constant. Since a rigid 40
foundation remains undeformed as it settles, the vertical
displacement and the bearing pressure must be linearly
distributed beneath the base.
Depending on the position of a concentrated load P ,
equivalent to the total soil pressure, the footing base may
be in full-compression or a fraction of it may lift. Under the latter event, an Active Compression Zone (ACZ)
45
appears, wherein the soil is allowed to react.
The condition p = 0 defines the neutral axis, while
|p| 0 specifies a zone of the footing base-area called kernel, that bounds the position of P for the full-compression
case occurrence. The full-compression has been studied by
50
Jarquio [1], Vitone and Valsangkar [2], Algin [3], Highter
Corresponding

author
Email address: alejandro.bezmalinovic@usach.cl
(A.S. Bezmalinovic)
Preprint submitted to Computers and Geotechnics

[10] and others, giving formulas and charts for dimensioning the footing area.
Footings with high two-way eccentricity have been addressed by Meyerhof [?] and Teng [1], showing graphical
methods, charts and the related equations. Roark [2] provides tables, and Peck [3] mentions an iterative method.
Yet, these procedures yield approximate solutions and are
inefficient for designing structures subjected to several load
combinations.
Therefore, the objective of the work is to provide analytical formulas for the linear contact pressure distribution
under rigid rectangular footings, subjected to high biaxial eccentricity. The method is presented as systems of
nonlinear equations that describe four eccentricity cases.
Solutions for several case-studies are reached using the
Newton-Raphson scheme...
2. Equilibrium equations of two-way eccentric rigid
footings
Theory. Consider describing the geometry of a rigid footing using a cartesian reference (x, y, z), centered at the
center of gravity of the element base-area region. The
structure is subjected to a concentric load Nz , and torques
Mx ,My . Here, Nz is considered positive in compression,
while Mx and My have a sign convention given by the
right-hand rule (see fig.?).
Defining the load eccentricities as ex = My /Nz and
ey = Mx /Nz , the previous biaxial load state is equivalent
to a single load Nz , placed at the point (ex , ey , 0) (fig?).
May 18, 2016

Let p(x, y) be the bearing stress under a rigid foundaOn a rectangular footing, the kernel is: |ex /Lx + ey /Ly |
tion.
80
1/6.
ZZ
0
3.1. Case I
Nz =
p(x, y) d ,
(1)
For relatively small eccentricities (when exactly?)(...).
0
ZZ
The
neutral axis intersects the lines x = Lx /2 and y =
0
Mx =
(y) p(x, y) d ,
(2)
Ly /2.
0

ZZ
My =

x p(x, y) d ,

1 =[Lx /2, Lx /2] [Lx /2, (1/B)(ALx /2 + C)]

(3)

(10)

2 =[(1/A)(BLy /2 + C), Lx /2] [(1/B)(ALx /2 + C), Ly /2]

(11)

55

where is the region described by the Active Compression Zone.

If a linear pressure distribution p(x, y) = Ax + By + C
is assumed, then (1), (2) and (3) yield the following system
of equations:
ZZ
Nz =
(Ax By + C) dx dy,
(4)

3 =[Lx /2, (1/A)(BLy /2 + C)] [(1/B)(ALx /2 + C), (1/

(12)
Lx (Ly B + Lx A 2C) (Ly B + Lx A + 2C)
8B
Lx (Ly B + Lx A + 2C) (Ly B Lx A + 2C)
+
8B
3
(Ly B Lx A + 2C)
+
(13)
48AB

Nz =

ZZ
Mx =

(Axy B y 2 + Cy) dx dy,

(5)

Z Z
My =

(Ax2 Bxy + Cx) dx dy,

(6)

Lx L3y B 3 3L2y B 2 C + L3x A3 3L2x A2 C + 4C 3
Mx =
24B 2

1
+
(Ly B Lx A + 2C) (Ly B + 3Lx A + 2C)
192AB 2

and the line Ax + By + C = 0 identifies the neutral axis.

Rewriting (4), (5) and (6):
0

Nz =A Sy B Sx + C ,
0

Mx = A Ixy + B Ix C Sx ,
0

My =A Iy B Ixy + C Sy ,
0

60

65

L2y B 2

(7)
(8)

+ 4Ly AC + 4Ly Lx A B +

75

16Lx AC + 4C

(9)

(Ly B Lx A + 2C) (Ly B + 3Lx A 6C)

384AB 2

(14)

where Sx ,Sy and Ix , Iy are the first and second moments

of area, respectively.
All comma-denoted symbols are effective, since they
are referred to the ACZ of the foundation. These properties are all nonlinear functions of A, B and C. If the ACZ
0
holds a degree of symmetry, the product of inertia Ixy = 0.

My =

L3x A (Ly B + Lx A 2C)

24B
+

(Ly B + Lx A + 2C) (Ly B Lx A + 2

192A2 B
(15)

L2y B 2 + 4Ly A(C Lx B) + Lx A(7Lx

192A2 B
(16)

3. Formulas for two-way highly-eccentric rectangular rigid footings

70

7L2x A2

(Ly B Lx A + 2C) (3Ly B + Lx A

384A2 B
(17)

Introduction. In contrast, a Calculation section represents

a practical development from a theoretical basis.
In the following, the right-hand-side of (7), (8) and (9)
are solved on a rectangular footing of base-area dimensions 85 3.2. Case II
The neutral axis intersects the lines y = Ly /2.
Lx ,Ly . Analytical nonlinear expressions on the form f =
...... are derived, noticing four possible configurations for


the ACZ (namely, I, II, III and IV), depending on the
Ly L2y B 2 + 3L2x A2 + 12Lx AC + 12Lx C 2
Nz =
, (18)
neutral axis position.
24A
The sign of loads is (to be) taken positive, since includ3
Ly B (Lx A + 2C)
ing the orientation of torques only gives the quadrant on
Mx =
,
(19)
24A
the xy-plane where footi... (but affects the characteriza

Ly L3x A3 L2y B 2 C + 3L2x A2 C 4C 3
tion of the ACZ), and tensile loads relax the demand of
My =
(20)
24A2
soil bearing capacity...
2

3.3. Case III

The neutral axis intersects the lines x = Lx /2.
120

quadrant in which falls the resultant. negative Ns (traction)??

tyhe formulation presented has the particularity of being more algebraically cumbersome than the other three
(more critical) cases.
in the current method, any pressure distribution function and footing shape, can be selected!! The ease to represent rectangular footings

Lx L2x A2 + 3L2y B 2 12Ly BC + 12Lx C 2
Nz =
, (21)
24B


Lx L3y B 3 3L2y B 2 C + L2x A2 C + 4C 3
Mx =
,
(22)125
24B 2
3
L A (2C Ly B)
(23)
My = x
24B
7. Appendices
3.4. Case VI
90

The neutral axis intersects the lines x = Lx /2 and y =

Ly /2.
130

(Ly B + Lx A + 2C)
,
(24)
48AB
3
(Ly B + Lx A + 2C) (3Ly B + Lx A + 2C)
,
Mx =
384AB 2
(25)
Nz =

If there is more than one appendix, they should be

identified as A, B, etc. Formulae and equations in appendices should be given separate numbering: Eq. (A.1), Eq.
(A.2), etc.; in a subsequent appendix, Eq. (B.1) and so
on. Similarly for tables and figures: Table A.1; Fig. A.1,
etc.
document style
References

(Ly B + Lx A + 2C) (Ly B + 3Lx A 2C)

My =
(26)135
384A2 B
4. Results
Introduction. Results should be clear and concise.
140

5. Discussion
95

Introduction. This should explore the significance of the

results of the work, not repeat them. A combined Re-145
sults and Discussion section is often appropriate. Avoid
extensive citations and discussion of published literature.
6. Conclusions
150

100

105

110

115

The main conclusions of the study may be presented

in a short Conclusions section, which may stand alone or
form a subsection of a Discussion or Results and Discussion
section.
The presented model allows for an efficiently calcula-155
tion of the maximum compressive bearing stress.
Conclusion: in the proposed formulation, a linear pressure envelope allows for the footing section properties (the
zeroth, first and second moment of area) appear naturally.
max pressure can be calculated using P(x,y) at footing160
corners... which one on each case?
sign of loads: due to the the double symmetry of rectangles and the usual practice of placing of the reference
frame at the centroid of the shape, changing the torques
signs will only affect que quadrant in where the resultants165
centroid will appear. sign could only be used when calculating the footing eccentricities to know . in the formulation, the maximum stress value is independent of the
3

[1] Meyerhoff GG. Some recent research on the bearing capacity of foundations. Can. Geotech. 1963; 1(1):
16-26. [2] Bowles JE. Foundation Analysis and Design.
3rd ed. New Jersey: McGraw-Hill; 1982. [3] Calavera J.
Calculo de Estructuras de Cimentacion. 4th ed. Madrid:
INTEMAC; 2000. [4] Teng WC. Foundation Design. New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc; 1979. [5] Young WC, Budynas
RG. Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain. 7th ed. New
Jersey: McGraw Hill. 2002. [6] Peck RB, Hanson WE,
Thorburn WH. Foundation Engineering. 2nd ed. New
York: John Wiley and Sons. 1974.
[7] Jarquio R, Jarquio V. Design of footing area with
biaxial bending. J Geotech Eng-ASCE. 1983; 109(10):
13371341. [8] Vitone DM, Valsangkar AJ. Stresses from
loads over rectangular areas. J Geotech Eng-ASCE. 1986;
112(10): 961964. [9] Algin HM. Practical formula for
dimensioning a rectangular footing. Eng Struct. 2007;
29(6): 1128-1134. [10] Highther WH, Anders JC. Dimensioning footings subjected to eccentric loads. J Geotech
Eng-ASCE. 111(5). 1985; 659665.
[11] Adrian, I. (2010, November). Pressures distribution for eccentrically loaded rectangular footings on elastic
soils. In Proceedings of the 2010 international conference
on Mathematical models for engineering science (pp. 213216). World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS).
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