How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

flexure reference should be made to Chapter 4, originally published as

Raft foundations Beams 8.

The basic design processes for rafts are similar to those for isolated
pad foundations or pilecaps. The only difference in approach lies in the
selection of an appropriate method for analysing the interaction between
the raft and the ground so as to achieve a reasonable representation of
their behaviour. For stiffer rafts (i.e. span-to-thickness greater than 10) with
a fairly regular layout, simplified approaches such as yield line or the flat
slab equivalent frame method may be employed, once an estimation of
the variations in bearing pressure has been obtained from a geotechnical
specialist. Whatever simplifications are made, individual elastic raft
reactions should equate to the applied column loads.
Thinner, more flexible rafts or those with a complex layout may require
the application of a finite element or grillage analysis. For rafts bearing
on granular sub-grades or when contiguous-piled walls or diaphragm
perimeter walls are present, the ground may be modelled as a series
of Winkler springs. However, for cohesive sub-grades, this approach is
unlikely to be valid, and specialist software will be required.
Alternatively, a truss analogy may be used; this is covered in Sections 5.6.4
and 6.5 of Eurocode 2–1–1. The strut angle y should be at least 21.8° to
the horizontal; note that y should be measured in the plane of the column
and pile.
Both beam shear and punching shear should then be checked as shown in
Figure 6. For beam shear, the design resistances in Table 6 may be used. If the
basic shear stress is exceeded, the designer should increase the depth of the
base. Alternatively, the amount of main reinforcement could be increased or,
less desirably, shear links could be provided. Care should be taken that main
bars are fully anchored. As a minimum, a full anchorage should be provided
from the inner face of piles. Large radius bends may be required.
When assessing the shear capacity in a pile cap, only the tension steel
placed within the stress zone should be considered as contributing to the
shear capacity (see Figure 7).
Figure 6
Critical shear perimeters for piles

Piled foundations f /5 Beam shear 5 d from column face

For the purpose of this chapter it is assumed that the pile design will be
carried out by a specialist piling contractor. The actions on the piles must f /5
be clearly conveyed to the pile designer, and these should be broken down
into the unfactored permanent actions and each of the applicable variable
Punching shear 5 2d from column face
actions (e.g. imposed and wind actions). The pile designer can then carry
out the structural and geotechnical design of the piles. f

Where moments are applied to the pilecap the EQU combination

should also be used to check the piles can resist the overturning forces.
These EQU loads must also be clearly conveyed to the pile designer Figure 7
Shear reinforcement for pilecaps
and procedures put in place to ensure the piles are designed for the
correct forces.
A s contributing to shear capacity

A pilecap may be treated as a beam in bending, where the critical

bending moments for the design of the bottom reinforcement are Stress zone
o
located at the column faces. For further guidance on designing for 45

Table 7
Values for vRd, max

fck vRd,max Figure 8

20 3.68 Dimensions for plain foundations

25 4.50
28 4.97
a a
30 5.28
32 5.58
hF
35 6.02
40 6.72
bF
45 7.38
50 8.00

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