References: ACI Code / Structural Concrete, Theory and Design (Copyright 1998), By M.

Nadim Hassoun

Foundations
Before starting with the foundations design, a soil investigation has to be performed to check the
soil characteristics and propertires. The site soil must be checked if its capable to hold the load
transferred to it through the footings (Shear test, Ultimate Bearing Capacity "qu", etc...).
The Bearing Capacity is required for designing the foundation. If the soil investigation indicates
poor ground conditions, (Such as the bearing capacity is less than the allowable), A Ground
Improvement technique must be performed to treat and improve the soil that support the footing
and make it safe to build with.
Common Solutions & Ground Improvement Techniques:

Grouting, Dewatering, Soil Reinforcement (Geograde, Geogrids, etc...), Piles,

Dynamic Compaction, Vibroflotation, Vibro-Compaction, Snad Drains, Soil Replacement.

Geogrids
Grouting

Dynamic Compaction

Vibro-Compaction

Piles
Most Common Types of Soil Prone to Improvement Techniques
Collapsible Soil
Expansive Soil
Sanitary Landfills
Karastic Profile
Designing Notes
It is preferable to check the sizes or dimensions of each footing before starting designing them.
This must be done to choose the required and preferred system of footing (Single, Combined, etc.).
A fast calculation can be performed using the following formula:
Service Load / Stress
Where the Service load can be taken = 1.5 of the Ultimate Load that is being transferred from
The Columns. And the Stress is the one that is provided from the soil tests (i.e. 3 Kg/cm)
Example
Pu = 250 Ton
qu = 3 kg/cm

Area of footing = (250,000/1.5) / 3 = 55555.55 cm

or A = 5.55 m

Page 1 of 13

Project Name
Subject

Design of Combined Footing

Element Number
Done By
Date

YOPUR LOGO

F1
1/23/2015 6:16

DESIGN OF COMBINED FOOTING (ACI Strength Design Method)

fc' =
4
Ksi
fy =
60
Ksi
Concrete Density =
150
Weight of Soil =
100

lb/ft
lb/ft

Column Dimentions:
Column I
16
x
16
Column II
20
x
20
Column Spaces Center-Center =
16
Space from Property line to center of
Column I
2
ft

16"
16"

in
in
ft

20"
I

20"

II

2'

16'
22'

4'

Property Line
Resultant

Loads Carried By Columns:

Column I
D.L. =
180
L.L. =
120
Column II

D.L. =
L.L. =

250
140

Kips
Kips

2'

9'

Kips
Kips

Allowable Soil Pressure =

5
Ksf
Bottom of footing below the final grade =
5

ft

Resultant of the column loads location

Taking moments about the center of the exterior column I:
x=
9
ft from Column I
The distance of the resultant from the properly line is
The length of the footing =
22
ft

11

ft

Area of the footing

Assume the footing total depth =
36
in
Assume Cover =
d=
31.5
in
Total actual (working) loads =
690
Kips
Net upward pressure =
4350
psf
Required Area = 158.6207 ft
Width of footing = 7.210031 ft
Use
7.3
ft
Then, Area of the footing = 160.6 ft
Ultimate upward pressure using ultimate loads
Pu1 (Column I) =
456
Kips
Pu2 (Column II) =
588
Kips
Factored shearing force
Vu (at outer face column I ) =
Vu (at interior face column I ) =
Vu (at outer face column II ) =
Vu (at interior face column II ) =

63.2764
329.4472
150.2815
358.6231

4.5

in

Net ultimate upward pressure qu = 6.501

qu = 47.4573 K/ft (per foot length of footing)

Kips
Kips
Kips
Kips

Point of zero shear, x: distance between interior faces of columns I and II is:
x = 6.942582 ft

Page 2 of 13

Ksf

Project Name
Subject
Element Number
Done By
Date

Design of Combined Footing

YOPUR LOGO

F1
1/23/2015 6:16

Page 3 of 13

Project Name
Subject
Element Number
Done By
Date

Design of Combined Footing

YOPUR LOGO

F1
1/23/2015 6:16

Factored moment
Mu1 (at outer face column I) =
Mu2 (at outer face column II) =

42.18427 K.ft
237.9456 K.ft

The maximum moment occures at zero shear:

Maximum Mu (Calculated from column I side) = 1278.769 K.ft
Maximum Mu (Calculated from column II side) = 1290.685 K.ft
Checking the depth for one-way shear
Maximum shear occures at a distance "d" from the
interior face of column II
d=
31.5
in

31.5

16"

20"
I

2'

16'
22'

4'
358.6231 K

63.2764 K
6.94'

7.56'

329.4472 K
1290.685 K.ft

150.2815
Kips

1.33'
Mu (max)

Checking the depth for moment & Determining

the required reinforcement in the long direction
Maximum bending moment = 1290.685 K.ft
Ru = 178.1871 psi
= 0.003609
(min) = 0.003333 > (min) O.K.

Insert bar No. =

9
Then bar diameter = 1.128 in
Use
10 of Bar No. 9

20"

II

in

Checking the depth for two-way shear

For the interior column,
(c + d) = 4.291667 ft
bo = 17.16667 ft
The shear at a section d/2 from all sides of the column:
Vu2 = 468.262 Kips
d = 10.57092 in
The effective depth provided =
31.5
in
Which is
>
10.57"
Thus, Footing is adequate

As = 9.958058 in
Min. As (Shrinkage) = 5.67648 in

1290.685 K.ft

16"
7.3'

Vu1 = 234.0476 Kips

d = 24.84971 in
The effective depth provided =
Which is
>
24.85"
Thus, Footing is adequate

Then:
Mu (max) =

3.17'

42.18427 K.ft
237.9456
K.ft

Hence, As = 9.958058 in Controls

Concrete Cover =

in

Spacing = 9.066667 in

The bars are extended between the columns at the top of the footing with a concrete cover 3 in. Place
minimum reinforcement at the bottom of the projecting ends of the footing beyond the columns to take care
of the positive moments. Extend the bars a development length ld beyond the side of the column.
The minimum shrinkage reinforcement As = 5.676 in2.
Insert bar No. =
8
Concrete Cover =
6
Then bar diameter =
1
in
Use
8 of Bar No. 8
Spacing = 11.65714 in
The development length required for the main top bars is 1.3 ld =
70.2

Page 4 of 13

in

in Beyond the point of maximum

Project Name
Subject

Design of Combined Footing

Element Number
F1
Done By
Date
1/23/2015 6:16
moment. Development length provided for both columns are adequate.

Page 5 of 13

YOPUR LOGO

Project Name
Subject

Design of Combined Footing

Element Number
Done By
Date

YOPUR LOGO

F1
1/23/2015 6:16

Reinforcement in short direction

The reinforcement under each column is to be placed within a maximum bandwidth equal to the column width
plus twice the effective depth "d" of the footing.
a. Reinforcement under the exterior column I
16"x16"
Bandwidth =
6.6
ft
7.3'
I
Net upward pressure in the short direction under
Under column I =
62.46575 K/ft
Distance from the free end to the face of the column
= 2.983333 ft
Mu (at face of column I) = 277.9813 K.ft
6.6'
Ru = 42.44734 psi
= 0.000839
As = 2.091901 in
Min. As (Shrinkage) = 5.13216 in
Hence, As (Control) = 5.13216 in
Insert bar No. =
8
Then bar diameter =
1
in
Use
7 of Bar No. 8

Concrete Cover =
Spacing =

2.983'

16"

in

80.54795 K/ft

in

in

13.76667 in

2.983'

8#8

7'
22'

Concrete Cover =
Spacing =

II

13.76667 in

b. Reinforcement under the interior column II

Bandwidth =
7
ft
Net upward pressure in the short direction under under column I =
Distance to face of column = 2.816667 ft
Mu (at face of column II in short direction) = 319.518 K.ft
Ru = 47.97346 psi
= 0.000949
As = 2.509985 in
Min. As (Shrinkage) = 5.4432
Hence, As (Control) = 5.4432 in
Insert bar No. =
8
Then bar diameter =
1
in
Use
7 of Bar No. 8

20"x20"

2.817'

7#8

20"

2.817'

8#8

7#8

3'

3'

7.3'
Exterior Footing I

7.3'
Interior Footing II
Shrinkage
Steel

1.333'
7#8

16"
8#8

20"
10 # 9 bars

Page 6 of 13

8#8

3.167'
7#8

3'

Project Name
Subject
Element Number
Done By
Date

Design of Combined Footing

YOPUR LOGO

F1
1/23/2015 6:16
22'

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