474

Foundation Design

Figure 12.3

Critical section for two-way shear capacity.

where
Vu factored vertical shear force
Lx breadth of the critical section
d effective depth
If shear reinforcement is not provided, the nominal shear stress at the critical section should
not exceed ktc
where
k factor for calculating shear strength of concrete
tc shear strength of concrete
The factor k depends on the overall thickness of the slab, Ds and is given in Table 12.1.
In solid slabs or footings, the nominal shear stress, tn < ktc . Shear reinforcement may be
provided for slabs of depth greater than 200 mm. The development length has to be checked at
the same critical sections as for beams. It is important to check deflections in slab design. For
this the strip of slab may be checked against span to effective depth ratio (Jain, 1997).
Table 12.1 k values for solid slabs.
Ds (mm)

300 or more

275

250

225

200

175

150 or less

1.00

1.05

1.10

1.15

1.20

1.25

1.30

For two-way shear action, the nominal shear stress is calculated in accordance with codes as
follows
Vu
tn
12:3
bo d
where bo periphery of the critical section

Structural Design of Foundations

475

If shear reinforcement is not provided, the nominal shear stress at the critical section should
not exceed ks tc
where
ks 0:5 be
be

should not be greater than 1

short dimension of column or pedestal

long dimension of column or pedestal

12:4a
12:4b

and
pffiffiffiffiffiffi
tc 0:25 sck N=mm2
12:4c
where sck is compression strength of concrete.
It is general practice to make the base deep enough so that shear reinforcement is not
required. The thickness of the foundation is usually governed by shear.

12.3.3 Development Length

The critical section for checking the development length in a footing can be assumed at the
same planes as those specified for bending moments. In addition, it should also be checked at all
other vertical planes where abrupt change of section occurs. In case the reinforcement is
curtailed, anchorage requirements must be satisfied as in the case of beams (Jain, 1997).

12.3.4 Deflection and Cracking

There is no need to check deflection in foundations. For checking cracks, the spacing of tension
bars should be the same as those for slabs. There is no need to provide side reinforcement in
foundation slabs as done in the case of deeper beams.

12.3.5 Transfer of Load at Base of Column

All forces acting at the base of column or pedestal should be transferred into the footing. Tensile
forces are transferred through developed reinforcement. Compressive forces are transferred
through direct bearing. The permissible bearing stress on full area of concrete is given by
sbr 0:45sck

12:5

where sbr is the bearing stress and sck is the compressive strength of concrete.
It may be noted that this stress is the allowable stress in concrete column. Since the footing
area is much larger than the column area, the permissible bearing stress in the footing may be
increased, thus permitting dispersion of the concentrated load. The permissible bearing stress
for concrete in such situations can be specified as
rffiffiffiffiffi
A1
sbr 0:45sck
12:6
A2
% 0:90sck
in which:
A1 maximum area of the portion of the supporting surface that is geometrically similar to and
concentric with the loaded area.

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Foundation Design

A2 loaded area at the column base.

sck compression strength of concrete.
In sloped or stepped footings, area A1 may be taken as the area of the lower base contained
wholly within the footing and having for its upper base, the area actually loaded and having a
side slope of one vertical to two horizontal as shown in Figure 12.4.

Figure 12.4

Bearing area in a stepped or sloped footing.

If the permissible bearing stress is exceeded either in column or in footing, reinforcement

must be provided for developing the excess force. The reinforcement may be provided either by
extending the longitudinal bars into the footing or by providing dowels (in accordance with the
code) as given below:
1. Minimum area of extended longitudinal bars or dowels must be 0.5% of cross-sectional area
of the supported column or pedestal.
2. A minimum of four bars must be provided.