Chapters 12

Reinforced Concrete Design II

Design of Footings
w
Part I
Wall

Dr. Anis Shatnawi

Footing RC_II 1

Design of Footings
- Introduction
- Types of Foundations
- Bearing Pressure under Footings
- Wall Footings
- Column Footings
- Combined Footings
- Mat (Raft) Foundation.
- Pile Caps

RC_II 2

1
 Footing
Definition
Footings are structural members used to support columns and walls
and to transmit their loads to the underlying soil without exceeding its
safe bearing capacity below the structure. excessive settlement,
differential settlement, or rotation are prevented and adequate safety
against overturning or sliding is maintained.

Loads
B B

L Column
L
P P
Beam
M

Footing

uniform
Non-uniform Soil
RC_II 3

Footings
Introduction
The design of footings calls for the combined efforts of
geotechnical and structural engineers.
The geotechnical engineer, on one hand, conducts the
site investigation and on the light of his findings,
recommends the most suitable type of foundation and
the allowable bearing capacity of the soil at the
suggested foundation level.
The structural engineer, on the other hand, determines
the concrete dimensions and reinforcement details of the
approved foundation.
RC_II 4

2
 Footings
Introduction

Support structural members and transfer

loads to the soil.
Structural members are usually columns or
walls.
Design for load transfer to soil uses
unfactored loads.
Structural design of footing is done with
factored loads.

RC_II 5

Footings
Introduction

Footings must be designed to prevent

bearing failure, sliding and overturning.
Footings must be designed to prevent
excessive settlement or tilting.
Typically, bottom of footing must be
located below frost line.
Excavation may be required to reach a
depth where satisfactory bearing material
is located.
RC_II 6

3
 Types of Footings
The type of footing chosen for a particular structure is affected by the
following:
1. The bearing capacity of the
underlying soil.
2. The magnitude of the column
loads.
3. The position of the water table.
4. The depth of foundations of
adjacent buildings. Wall

Footings may be classified as

deep or shallow. If depth of the
footing is equal to or greater than
its width, it is called deep footing,
otherwise it is called shallow
Property line
footing. Shallow footings
comprise the following types: RC_II 7

Types of Footing
Wall Footings
Wall footing are used to support structural walls that carry
loads for other floors or to support nonstructural walls.
W kN/m

Secondary reinft

Main reinft.

Wall footings enlargement of the bottom of the wall. Wall footing

RC_II 8

4
 Types of Footing
Isolated Footings
Isolated or single footings are used to support single
columns. This is one of the most economical types of
footings and is used when columns are spaced at relatively
long distances.
P kN

B C2
C1

Isolated spread footing

Isolated or single column square footing loads relatively light and
columns not closely spaced. RC_II 9

Types of Footing
Combined Footings
Combined footings are used when two columns are so close that single
footings cannot be used. Or, when one column is located at or near a
property line. In such a case, the load on the footing will be eccentric and
hence this will result in uneven distribution of load to the supporting soil.
P2 kN
P1 P2

P1 kN

B C2 C2
C1 C1

L1 L2 L2

Combined footings support two or more columns heavily loaded

columns; closely spaced columns; columns near property line. RC_II 10

5
 Types of Footing
Combined Footings
The shape of combined footing in plan shall be such that the centroid of
the foundation plan coincides with the centroid of the loads in the two
columns. Combined footings are either rectangular or trapezoidal.
Rectangular footings are favored due to their simplicity in terms of
design and construction. However, rectangular footings are not always
practicable because of the limitations that may be imposed on its
longitudinal projections beyond the two columns or the large difference
that may exist between the magnitudes of the two column loads. Under
these conditions, the provision of a trapezoidal footing is more
economical. Property line

A B
A B B2
B B1

Trapezoidal, PA < PB
Rectangular, PA @ PB
RC_II 11

Types of Footing
Property line
Combined Footings
A B A B

Rectangular, PA = PB Rectangular, PA < PB

Property line

A B

Trapezoidal, PA < PB
RC_II 12

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 Types of Footing
Continuous Footings
Continuous footings support a row of three or more
columns.

P1 P2 P3 P4 P4 kN

P3 kN

P2 kN
L
P1 kN

RC_II 13

Types of Footing
Strap (Cantilever ) footings
Strap footings consists of two separate footings, one under each
column, connected together by a beam called strap beam. The
purpose of the strap beam is to prevent overturning of the eccentrically
loaded footing. It is also used when the distance between this column
and the nearest internal column is long that a combined footing will be
too narrow. P2 kN
P1 P2
Large distance
property line

Strap Beam
P1 kN

L1 L2

B1 C2 C2 B2
C1 C1

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 Types of Footing
Strap (Cantilever ) footings

Property line

A B

Strap or Cantilever

RC_II 15

Types of Footing
Mat (Raft) Footings
Mat Footings consists of one footing usually placed under
the entire building area. They are used when soil bearing
capacity is low, column loads are heavy and differential
settlement for single footings are very large or must be
reduced.

L
Mat Footing
RC_II 16

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 Types of Footing
Raft (Mat) Footing:

Mat or raft foundation

continuous concrete
slab supporting many
columns; soil strength
relatively low; large
column loads; isolated
spread footings would
cover more than 50
percent of area;
reduce differential
settlement.

Raft foundation (Slab type)

RC_II 17

Types of Footing
Raft (Mat) Footing:

Raft foundation (Slab-beam type)

RC_II 18

9
 Types of Footing
Raft (Mat) Footing:

Raft foundation (Flat plate thickened under columns)

RC_II 19

Types of Footing
Pile Caps
Pile caps are thick slabs used to tie a group of piles
together to support and transmit column loads to the
piles. P

Pile caps distribute column loads to groups of piles.

RC_II 20

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 Soil Pressure
Soil pressure is assumed to be
uniformly distributed beneath
footing if column load is applied at
the center of gravity of the
footing (i.e., Concentric Loading).

Footings supported by sandy (Cohesionless

soil ) soils.
Footings supported by clayey (Cohesive)
soils.

Footings supported eccentric loads.

RC_II 21

Bearing Pressure Under Footings

Distribution of Soil Pressure
The distribution of soil pressure under a footing is a function of the type
of soil, the relative rigidity of the soil and the footing, and the depth of
foundation at level of contact between footing and soil.

P P P

Centroidal axis

L L L

Footing on sand Footing on clay Assumed Equivalent uniform distribution

For design purposes, it is common to assume the soil pressures are

linearly distributed. The pressure distribution will be uniform if the
centroid of the footing coincides with the resultant of the applied loads.
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 Distribution of Soil Pressure

Soil pressure distribution in Soil pressure distribution in cohesive

cohesionless soil as sandy soil. soil as clay.

RC_II 23

Assumed Distribution of Soil Pressure

C.L.
When the column load P is
applied on the centroid of
the footing, a uniform
pressure is assumed to
develop on the soil surface below the
footing area. However the actual
distribution of the soil is not
uniform, but depends on many uniform pressure is assumed
factors especially the composition of
the soil and degree of flexibility of
the footing.
RC_II 24

12
 Bearing pressure under footings P

Axially Loaded Footings : Assume uniform pressure

Actual pressure is not uniform due to: p, Uniform bearing

pressure
1) Footing flexibility (relative rigidity of soil and footing)
2) Depth of footing below ground surface
3) Type of soil, e.g., clay or sand

P P
Heave Heave

Cohesionless soil as sand Cohesive soil as clay

RC_II 25

Footing
Pressure Distribution Below Footings
The maximum intensity of loading at the base of a foundation which causes shear
failure of soil is called ultimate bearing capacity of soil, denoted by qu.
The allowable bearing capacity of soil, qall , is obtained by dividing the ultimate
bearing capacity of soil by a factor of safety on the order of 2.50 to 3.0.
The allowable soil pressure for soil may be either gross or net pressure
permitted on the soil directly under the base of the footing.
The gross pressure represents the total stress in the soil created by all the loads
above the base of the footing.
A net soil pressure is used instead of the gross pressure value.

qall = qu /2.5
Df

to qu / 3.0 h

RC_II 26

13
 Allowable Soil Pressure

Actual soil pressure is based on un-factored

loads.
Allowable soil pressure may be determined
by a geotechnical engineer.
When soil exploration is not feasible,
values provided by building codes may be
used.
Factor of safety is typically 2.5 to 3.

RC_II 27

Allowable Soil Pressure

The allowable soil pressure under a footing is a function of the type of soil, the
relative rigidity of the soil and the footing, the depth of foundation at level of
contact between footing and soil, sensitivity of structure to accommodate
deflection of the footings. Safe values are based on test borings, load tests and
other experimental investigations. Table below shows a set of allowable soil
pressure that are typical for building codes.

These values are

usually provide
factors of safety of
approximately 2.5 to
3 against sever
settlement.

RC_II 28

14
Allowable Bearing capacity of Soil
The intensity of loading that the soil carries without causing
shear failure and without causing excessive settlement is called
allowable bearing capacity of soil, denoted by qa . It should be
noted that qa is a service load stress (un-factored loads).

The allowable bearing capacity of soil is obtained by dividing the

ultimate bearing capacity of soil by a factor of safety on the order
of 2.50 to 3.0.

The allowable soil pressure for soil may be either gross or net
pressure permitted on the soil directly under the base of the
footing. The gross pressure represents the total stress in the soil
created by all the loads above the base of the footing. These
loads include: (a) column service loads; (b) the weight of the
footing; and (c) the weight of the soil on the top of the footing, or

RC_II 29

Allowable Bearing capacity of Soil

For moment and shear calculations, the upward and downward
pressures of the footing mass and the soil mass get cancelled.
Thus, a net soil pressure is used instead of the gross pressure
value, or

The next figure shows schematic

representation of allowable gross
and net soil pressures.

Gross and net soil pressures;

(a) gross soil pressure;
(b) net soil pressure

RC_II 30

15
 Footing

Concentrically loaded Footings

If the resultant of the loads acting at the base of the footing coincides
with the centroid of the footing area, the footing is concentrically
loaded and a uniform distribution of soil pressure is assumed in
design, as shown in Figure
P

Centroidal axis

P/A

uniform distribution
RC_II 31

Footing

Eccentrically Loaded Footings (to be visited later!)

Footings are often designed for both axial load and moment. Moment may be
caused by lateral forces due to wind or earthquake, and by lateral soil
pressures.

Footing is eccentrically Loaded if the supported column is not concentric

with the footing area or if the column transmits at its juncture with the
footing not only a vertical load but also a bending moment.

P
P
e
M
Centroidal axis Centroidal axis

y y
L L

P/A P/A

P. ey/I My/I
RC_II 32

16
 Design of Wall Footing

RC_II 33

Wall Footings
All structural load-bearing walls must bear on footings. These
footings in turn distribute the loads to the soil. If the loading on
the soil exceeds the soil bearing capacity, undesirable
settlement will occur, resulting in cracked walls, uneven floors,
or potentially structural failure in extreme overloading.

RC_II

34

17
Wall Footing Requirements:
1) Must distribute the loads evenly to the soil.
2) Bottom of footing must be deeper than the frost penetration
or else frost heave will occur.
3) Must be well-drained to prevent wash-out.
4) Must bear on undisturbed (or engineered) soil.

RC_II
35

Design of Wall Footings

Generally, beam design theory is used.

Shear strength almost always controls

footing depth.
Compute moment at the face of the wall
(for reinforced concrete wall) or halfway
between wall face and its centerline (for
masonry walls).

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Wall Footings
Uniformly loaded wall w
Design a 1-m
wide strip
w
Wall

Footing 1-m slice on which

design is based
Bending deformation

RC_II 37

Wall Footings
Critical Section for Moment in Wall- and Isolated-
Footings
b/2 b/2

Critical section Critical section s

b/4 s/2

Reinforced Concrete Column with steel

Masonry wall
column, (greater flexibility) base plate
pedestal or wall
(critical section for
moments at face of wall)
RC_II 38

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 Moment and Shear in Wall Footings
Critical Section for Shear in Reinforced Concrete Walls Footings at a
distance d from the face of the wall
wu = 1.2D.L.+1.6L.L. Required L = (D.L.+L.L.)/qa
qa = Allowable soil pressure, kN/m2
b = bwall Factored wall load = wu in kN/m

Factored soil pressure, qu = (wu )/L

d d
2
1 Lb 1
Mu qu qu (L b )2
2 2
d h 8
qu
Lb
Vu qu d
L 2

Min d = 150 mm (6 in.) for footing on soil, 300 mm (12 in.) for footing on piles
Thus:
Min. h = 250 mm for regular spread footings and 400 mm for pile caps.
RC_II 39

Minimum Main Flexural (Transverse) Steel Area:

Minimum steel area equal to the Required Longitudinal Shrinkage and
Temperature Steel:
.
: , .

Note: for wall footings: b = 1000 mm for SI units.

: , .

Note: for wall footings: b = 12 in. for US units.

Minimum Longitudinal Temp. Steel Area:
Minimum steel area is required the Longitudinal direction as
Shrinkage and Temperature Steel.
For fy = 420 MPa:
, . .
.
Note: for wall footings: b = 1000 mm or (12 in.) for US units. RC_II 40

20
Recommended
ACI recommended concrete compression compressive strength ranging
from 21 MPa to 28 MPa ( 3000 psi to 4000 psi). If exposure category
(exposed to sulfates) of the footing control concrete strength, ACI 4.2
requires min. values between 28 MPa to 32 MPa (4000 psi to 4500 psi)

Note that when it is very important to minimize footing depths and

weights, stronger concretes may be used. However, the extra cost of using
higher strength concrete will much exceed the money saved with the
smaller concrete volume.
It is not economical and thus not recommended to use light-weight-
concreting in footings.

Shear Design (Use of Stirrups) in Footings:

ACI considers use of stirrups in footings impractical and uneconomical.
Thus, recommended to select sufficient effective depth of wall footings
such that:

. RC_II 41

Design of Wall Footings

Design a 1-m (12-in) wide strip.

Section 15.7 of ACI Code:

Effective Depth of footing above bottom
reinforcement not less than 150 mm (6 in.)
for footings on soil and not less than 300
mm (12 in.) for footings on piles.
Minimum practical total depth of footing is
250 mm (10 in.) and 400 mm (16 in.) for
pile caps.

RC_II 42

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 Design of Wall Footings
Initial Selection of Depth of Wall Footings:
Shear may be calculated at distance d from face
of the wall.
Use of stirrups is not economical set d so that
concrete carries all the shear
.
: .
: 2

:
.

: 6"
2 RC_II
43

Steps for Wall Footing Design

Step 1 Determine preliminary thickness of footing:

Try Preliminary footing thickness 1(Wall width)

Step 2 Determine effective soil bearing, qe:
qe = effective soil bearing
= reduced soil bearing capacity resulting from weight of footing
and weight of soil above footing (overburden).
= (Allowable soil bearing) (weight of footing) (weight of soil)
qe = qa (footing. wt.) (soil wt.)

RC_II
44

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Steps for Wall Footing Design
Step 3 Determine required width of footing, wf:

Ptotal = SERVICE LOADS =PDL + PLL

Step 4 Determine ultimate soil bearing

pressure for strength design, qu:

qu = Factored soil bearing pressure acting on footing

RC_II 45

Steps for Wall Footing Design

Step 5 Determine minimum depth of footing, dmin
based on shear:
d = footing thickness concrete cover (Bar dia.)

Or:

dmin = Minimum depth to reinforcement based on shear

Note: wf = L
:
.
: 1000 mm

: 6"
2 : 12" RC_II
46

23
Steps for Wall Footing Design
Step 6 Determine factored soil pressure moment, Mu
at face of wall:

RC_II
47

Steps for Wall Footing Design

Step 7 Determine required tension steel, As in footing:
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? .

? ? ?
, ? ? ? ?

Step 8 Determine spacing of selected tension bars:

Use bar size (???) @ spacing (???)

RC_II
48

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Steps for Wall Footing Design
Step 9 Determine longitudinal shrinkage/temperature
bars:

Select bar size with ( As, per bar = ??)

Use longitudinal temperature/shrinkage bars:

(No. of bars) of Size (???)
RC_II
49

Steps for Wall Footing Design

Step 10 Draw Summary Sketch:

RC_II
50

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 Wall Footing Design
Examples

RC_II 51

Example 12.1
Design a wall footing to support a 300 mm
(12-in.) wide reinforced concrete wall with
a dead load of 292 kN/m (20 k/ft) and a
live load of 219 kN/m (15 k/ft). The
bottom of the footing is to be 1.2 m (4 ft)
below final grade, the soil weighs 16 kN/m3
(100 lb/ft3) the allowable soil pressure is
190 kN/m2 (4 ksf). No appreciable sulphur
content in the soil. A normal weight
concrete (c = 23.6 kN/m3 = 150 lb/ft3)
with concrete strength 21 MPa (3,000 psi),
and the steel is Grade 60 are used.
RC_II 52

26
 Example 12.1
Assume a footing thickness of 300 mm (12 in.) With a minimum clear
cover of 75 mm (3 in.), this gives a d value of about 210 mm (8.5 in.)
Compute the footing weight and soil weight:
:
:

0.300 23.6 7.08 /

1.2 0.300 16 /
14.4 /
Effective soil pressure and required width of footing:
190 / 7.08 / 14.4 / :
qe 4000 psf 150 psf 300 psf 3550 psf
168.52 /
Width of footing required
:
20 k/ft 15 k/ft
. . 292 219 9.86 ft
3.03 m 3.55 ksf
168.52 Use 10 ft
RC_II 53

Example 12.1
:
d = 210 mm

RC_II 54

27
 Example 12.1
Factored bearing pressure for design of concrete:
1.2 . 1.6 . 1.2 292 1.6 219
: 233.6 /
3
1.2 20 k/ft 1.6 15 k/ft
: qu
10 ft
4.80 ksf

Compute design shear (at distance d from face of wall):

10 ft 8.5 in
Lb : Vu
6 in
4.80 ksf 18.2 k
Vu qu d 2 12 in/ft 12 in/ft
2
: d
18, 200 lb
18.46 in
.
0.75(1.0) 2 3000 ksi 12 in
@ . . .
Much larger than orginal assumption
Try a thicker footing - say 20 in thick
d 16.5 in

.
.
.
. .
: RC_II 55

Example 12.1 :
: 20 in
190 0.500 23.6 qe 4000 psf 150 psf
12 in/ft
1.2 0.500 16 28 in
167 / 100 psf 3517 psf
12 in/ft
Width of footing required

20 k/ft 15 k/ft
. . 292 219 9.95 ft
3.06 m 3.517 ksf
167 Use 10 ft

Factored bearing pressure for design of concrete:

: 1.2 . 1.6 . 1.2 292 1.6 219

233.6 /
3

:
RC_II 56

28
 Example 12.1
Compute design shear (at distance d from face of wall):
:
.
@ . . .

:
.
.
.
. .

:
:

RC_II 57

Example 12.1
: Overhanging = .
. .

Compute moment on one meter-long strip:

2
1 Lb 1
Mu qu qu (L b )
2

2 2 8

. .
.

. . .
. / 22mm at 250 mm
( /m)
:
10 ft 6 in
4.5 ft Appendix Table 4.12, = 0.00345 < 0.0136,
2 12 in/ft
Compute moment on a one-foot-long strip section is tension controlled; = 0.9
wL2 4.80 k/ft 4.5 ft
2

Mu 48.6 k-ft/ft
2 2
Mu 12 in/ft 48,600 lb-ft/ft Use No 7 at 10 in (As = 0.72 in2 / ft RC_II
198.3 psi
bd 2 0.9 12 in 16.5 in from Table A.6)
2

58

29
Example 12.1 :

:
Development length

Design for
Development length
in SI units!!!

RC_II 59

Example 12.1
:
Temperature and shrinkage steel
, . / 16mm at 200 mm
( , /m)

: Temperature and shrinkage steel

Use No 5 at 8 in (As = 0.465 in2 / ft)

Draw reinforcement detailing!!

RC_II 60

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