Structural Analysis & Design of Reinforced Concrete Raft Foundation

By

Hisham Eihab Hassan

351101170

AbdAlrahman Mohamed Ibrahim

351101179
Ibrahim Mohamed Abdulwasea
351110407

Graduation Project Report

Department of Civil Engineering
JOUF University, Sakaka
Fall 2018
 Declaration

The dissertation entitled “Structural Analysis & Design of Reinforced

Concrete Raft Foundation” has been performed under the supervision of Dr.
Magdy Bakry, Department of Civil Engineering, Jouf University, Sakaka, and
approved in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering. To the best of our knowledge and belief, the capstone
contains no materials previously published or written by another person
except where due reference is made in the capstone itself.

Signature: ______________

Name: Hisham Eihab Hassan

Signature: ______________

Name: AbdAlrahman Mohamed Ibrahim

Signature: _____________

Name: Ibrahim Mohamed Abdulwasea

Jouf University, Sakaka

Fall 2018

i
 Dedication

This work is nicely dedicated to our parents and Civil Engineering

Department

ii
 Acknowledgement

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible
without the kind support and help of many individuals and I would like to
extend my sincere thanks to all of them.

I am highly indebted to engineering section for their guidance and constant

supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the
project & also for their support in completing the project.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents & Dr. Magdy Bakry
for their kind co-operation and encouragement which help me in completion
of this project.

I would like to express my special gratitude and thanks to engineering section

for giving me such attention and time.

My thanks and appreciations also go to my classmates who have willingly

helped me out with their abilities.

iii
 Abstract

Raft foundations are large slabs supporting a number of columns and walls
under the entire structure. Raft slab is required when the allowable pressure is
low or where the columns are spaced so close that the individual footings
overlap. Raft foundations are useful in reducing the differential settlements
and sustaining large variations in loads on the individual columns. In
conventional analysis of raft foundation, the reactive soil pressures due to the
loads from the structure are not considered. This reactive pressure is important
as the raft is subjected to bending due to loads from the structure and also from
the reactive pressure offered by the soil. These effects considerably alter the
forces and the moments in the structural members. This is where soil structure
interaction comes into play. The effect of soil immediately beneath and around
the structure, on the response of the structure when subjected to external loads
is considered in soil structure interaction. In this case, the soil and structure
are considered as components of one elastic system. During the analysis soil
can be modeled using various soil models such as Linear elastic soil model,
Winkler’s soil model etc. In the present work, analysis is carried out using
Winkler’s soil model, the methods of analysis being used are, with the
Conventional analysis. It has been observed that the deflection using soil
structure interaction is considerably reduced than those by Conventional
method of analysis. Thus, the moments acting on the raft slab are significantly
reduced.

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Chapter One

Introduction

GENERAL:
A raft foundation is a large concrete slab used to interface one or more
columns in several lines with the base soil. It is a combined footing that covers
the entire area beneath the structure and supports the entire load bearing
columns and walls. Rafts are necessitated on account of overlap of large
individual footings under columns if they are closely spaced. When the footing
covers more than half the plan area, raft would be adopted in preference to
individual footings. Raft foundations are used to support storage water tanks,
several pieces of industrial equipment, silo clusters, chimneys, high rise
buildings etc. Raft foundations are used where the base soil has low bearing
capacity and the column loads are so large that more than 50% of the area is
covered by spread footings. It is most common to use raft foundation for deep
basement both to spread column loads to a more uniform pressure distribution
and provide the floor slab for the basement. A particular advantage of raft for
basement at or below GWT is to provide a water barrier.

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TYPES OF RAFT:
The two basic structural forms of raft are,

1) Flat slab raft, and

2) Beam and Slab raft.

A flat slab raft is a raft of uniform thickness supporting the columns without
the aid of beams. The flat slab type of raft is most suitable when column loads
are relatively light and spacing is relatively small and uniform.

The beam slab raft consists of comparatively thinner slab continuously

spanning set of beams running through the column points in both directions.
Columns are normally located at the junction of these beams. This type is
suitable when bending stresses are high because of large column spacing and
unequal column loads.

Numerical Models:
The numerical models give the relationship between the applied forces and
resulting displacement. These relationships are given by linear functions,
which are further used for analysis. The numerical models used is:

Winkler’s model:
In this model soil mass is replaced by a bed of closely spaced elastic, identical
and independent springs. The shear resistance in soil is neglected. The soil
outside the loaded area does not undergoes any deflection. This model is
based on simple assumption that contact pressure is proportional to deflection
of elastic system.

pαy

p=ky

2
k = Constant of proportionality = Modulus of sub grade reaction. p and y are
mutually dependent.

The value of k is dependent on material and dimensions of foundations.

1) Elastic half space model:

The elastic half space model for soil is superior to the Winkler’s model, as the
continuity present in the soil medium is accounted for in the model. Also,
advantage of this model is its versatility in transferring horizontal shear
stresses beneath the foundation.

Soil is assumed to be homogenous, isotropic elastic and semiinfinite.

Displacement will not only occur in loaded area but also within certain limited
zones outside the loaded area.

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CHAPTER TWO

METHODS OF ANALYSIS

GENERAL:

The analytical studies for solution of soil structure interaction problems

requires the consideration of deformational characteristics of soil medium
and the flexural behavior of the structure. By defining strain of soil and the
stiffness behavior of the structure, the soil structure interaction problem is
reduced to the determination of contact pressure distribution at the soil
structure interfaces. Once the contact pressure distribution is computed, it
is then possible to evaluate the moments and forces in the structure and the
deformations in the idealized supporting soil medium. Methods used for
analysis of foundation by soil structure interaction approach is:

Methods of analysis:
In the present work, methods of analysis of raft foundation are studied and
a comparative study of raft, by considering soil – structure interaction and
without considering soil – structure interaction is carried out using
following methods,

1) Conventional Method.

2) Finite Element Method.

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CONVENTIONAL METHOD:

The analysis of raft foundation by Conventional method (Rigid beam

method) is one of the simplest method of analysis used in practice. The
basic assumption is that the mat or raft will move as a rigid body when
loads are applied. Raft is considered to be infinitely rigid compared to soil.
The self-weight of raft is directly taken by the soil. For example, the theory
of elasticity would predict vertical stresses of infinite magnitude beneath
the edges of a rigid body. (Kurain, N, 1992) The basic assumption is that
the reaction pressures are distributed linearly across the bottom of the mat.
It is assumed that the resultant of column loads and soil pressures coincide.
3.2.1 Methodology: Initially the column loads are calculated by the regular
methods of analysis of frames. The eccentricity if any is evaluated. The
contact pressure distribution is calculated by combined direct bending
stress formula,

If the resultant is not eccentric then the pressure distribution will be

uniform

where,

q = Pressure intensity.

5
 Q = Resultant of all column loads.

A = Plan area of the raft.

e x and ey = eccentricities in X and Y directions respectively.

x and y = co-ordinate locations where soil pressures are desired.

Iyy and Ixx = moment of inertia of plan area of raft with respect to Y and
X-axis respective

Iyy = BL3/12

I xx = LB3/12

L and B = plan dimensions of the raft.

The maximum contact pressure distribution obtained must be less than the
safe bearing capacity of the soil. The slab is divided into strips and each
strip is considered as a rigid beam subjected to contact pressures and
column loads. The bending moment and shear force diagrams are then
obtained. The settlement of the raft is obtained by,

Where,

qnet = Net intensity of pressure

= Average value taken along one line.

Cd = Shape and rigidity factor.

6
νs = Poisson’s ratio of soil.

Es = Elastic modulus of soil.

Each strip is designed individually for the bending moments calculated as

before and the actual reinforcement provided must be twice the area of steel
obtained by conventional method, as per National Building Code regulations .

7
Finite element formulation for raft

The finite element method transforms the problem of plates on elastic

foundation into a computer-oriented procedure of matrix structural analysis.
The plate (raft) is idealized as a mesh of finite elements interconnected only
at the nodes (corners), and the soil may be modeled as a set of isolated springs
(Winkler foundation).

The Finite element analysis adopted for raft is based on the classical theory
of thick plates resting on Winkler foundation (Figure 1) that accounts for the
transverse shear deformation of the plate. The formulation is based on the
assumptions that deflections are small compared with the thickness of plate,
and that a normal to the middle surface of the undeformed plate remains
straight, but not necessarily normal to the middle surface of deformed

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Finite Element Procedure

The Slab Analysis by the Finite Element method software “SAFE” is used
in the present work for its simplicity. In the analysis, SAFE converts the
object-based model created by the user into a finite element model, called the
analysis model. The finite element mesh used in the analysis is a rectangular
mesh based on a maximum acceptable element size.

Usually, the computer software transforms the problem of plates on elastic

foundation into a computer-oriented procedure of structural analysis (Kame,
2008). The plate (raft) is idealized as a mesh of finite elements interconnected
only at the nodes (corners), and the soil may be modeled as a set of isolated
springs (Winkler foundation). The Finite element analysis adopted for raft is
based on the classical theory of thick plates resting on Winkler foundation that
accounts for the transverse shear deformation of the plate, as shown in figure
(1). The formulation is based on the assumptions that deflections are small
compared with the thickness of plate, and that a normal to the middle surface
of the undeformed plate remains straight, but not necessarily normal to the
middle surface of deformed plate. The stresses normal to the middle surface
are considered negligible.

Four noded, isoparametric rectangular elements with three degree of

freedom per node (the transverse displacement w, rotation about x-axis θx,
and rotation about y-axis θy) are considered in the development of finite
element formulation, as shown in figure (2). Independent bilinear shape
functions are assumed for displacement and rotational degrees of freedom. By
equating first variation of total strain energy of the plate foundation system to
zero, the force-deflection equation for plate-foundation element can be
obtained.

9
 Figure (1): Structural idealization of raft and supporting soil (Kame, 2008)

Modulus of Subgrade Reaction

The term subgrade reaction refers to the pressure distribution which is the
result or ‘reaction’ of the ‘subgrade’ to a load imposed upon the top of a
foundation structure. In practice, the foundation structure is commonly a
reinforced concrete slab or mat, and the subgrade usually refers to the soil or
rock upon which the structure is constructed (Liao, 1995).

The selection of the coefficient of subgrade reaction “k” for the design of
rafts, beams, and rigid pavements is not satisfactory because of the wide range
of values recommended in the literature for each soil type and density. A
simple relationship was found between k and the standard penetration test
values that takes into account the effect of the footing size or the width of the
loaded area. Test results are compared with other plate load tests on granular
soils in different areas around the world, to establish confidence in the derived
correlation and to explain the causes of variation in different granular deposits
(Ismael, 1987).

10
Determination of the Modulus of Subgrade Reaction:

The modulus of subgrade reaction and its probabilistic characteristics can

be determined directly by field test. As an alternative to the determination of
the modulus of subgrade reaction, regular soil properties may be used (Gagin
& Ivanilov, 2008).

One of the most popular models in determining the modulus of subgrade

reaction is Winkler model. In this model the subgrade soil assumes to behave
like infinite number of linear elastic springs that the stiffness of the spring is
named as the modulus of subgrade reaction. This modulus is dependant to
some parameters like soil type, size, shape, depth and type of foundation and
etc. The direct method to estimate the modulus of subgrade reaction is plate
load test that it is done with 30-100 cm diameter circular plate or equivalent
rectangular plate (Reza & Janbaz, 2008).

Because of the limitation of available data and the uncertainty of soil

condition, it was also proposed to use the empirical equations. The following
empirical equations (Widjaja, 2008) were suggested to estimate k value both
in clay and sand:

Clay : k = 40 – 50 su (t/m3)

Sand : k = 70 – 100 NSPT (t/m3)

where su is an undrained shear strength (t/m2) and NSPT is a value of Standard

Penetration Test.

11
Conclusion:

12
Chapter 4: structural system and CSI ETABS model

1. Draw the column plan view by AUTOCAD and store as .dxf file

13
2. Open new file.
3. set the units (metric default)

4. choose blank initial model

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5. define material properties
a. concrete
b. steel

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6. define slab properties
a. matt

b. Stiff

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7. Define soil subgrade properties (Enter soil modulus)

8. Define load patterns and load combination

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9. draw the raft(matt) and columns and walls(stiff) sections

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10.draw design strip
a. middle strip

b. column strip

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11.assign loads
a. Assign support data ➔choose the soil properties

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b. draw point at the center of each column and wall.
c. Right click on the point and go to loads tab
Assign loads and enter the dimensions of the column or the wall

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22
12.Run the program
a. Check the settlement

b. Check the punch (show punch shear design)

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c. Get the result of the structural analysis M11 & M22

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25
References:

Ahmad S., Abdul Muktadir, Monzurul M. A.S.M., and Sutradhar A. (2003),

“An Economic Design Guideline for Rectangular Mat Foundation with
Non-Uniform Thickness”, the Journal of Civil Eng., the Institution of
Eng., Bangladesh, Vol. CE 31, No.2, pp. 205-222.

Gagin V. and Ivanilov P. (2008), “Analysis of Lengthy Structures Resting on

Multi-Layer Soil Foundation Taking Into Account Stochastic Behavior of
Soil”, Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica, Moscow, Russia, Vol. XXX, No.
3–4.

Helen S. W. C. (2007), “Analysis of Piled-Raft Foundation with Piles of

Different Lengths and Diameters”, A thesis submitted to the University of
Sydney, Australia.

Ismael N. F. (1987), “Coefficient of Subgrade Reaction for Footings on Desert

Sands”, Transportation Research Board Business Office, Washington,
USA, Research Record No. 1137, pp. 82-89.

Kame G. S., Ukarande S. K., Borgaonkar K. and Sawant V. A. (2008), “A

Parametric Study on Raft Foundation”, the 12th International Conference
of International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in
Geomechanics (IACMAG), Goa, India, Vol. 1, pp.3077-3085.

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Liao S. S. C. (1995), “Estimating the Coefficient of Subgrade Reaction for
Plane Strain Conditions”, Proc. of the International Conference on Civil
and Geotechnical Eng., Massachusetts, USA. Paper I0619, pp. 166-181.

Noh E.Y., Huang M., Surarak C., Adamec R. and Balasurbamaniam A. S.

(2008), “Finite Element Modeling for Raft Foundation in Sand”, Eleventh
East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering & Construction
(EASEC-11), Taipei, Taiwan.

Poulos H.G. (2001), “Methods Of Analysis Of Piled Raft Foundations”, a

Report Prepared on Behalf of Technical Committee TC18 on Piled
Foundations, International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Eng., the University of Sydney, Australia.

Pun W.K. and Others, (2006), “Foundation Design and Construction”,

Geotechnical Eng. Office, Civil Eng. and Development Dept., Publication
No. 1/2006, Hong Kong.

Reza Z. M. and Janbaz M. (2008), “Foundation Size Effect on Modulus of

Subgrade Reaction in Clayey Soil’, EJGE, Tehran, Iran, Vol. 13, Bund E,
pp. 1-8.

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Subramanian K. V., Kashikar A. V., Nath C., and Shintre C.C. (2005),
“Analysis of Raft Foundations for Spent Fuel Pool in Nuclear Facilities”,
18th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor
Technology (SMiRT 18) Beijing, China, pp. 3165-3178.

Widjaja B. (2008), “Parametric Studies for Obtaining the Dimension of Soil

Improved Area”, Dinamika Teknik Sipil, Volume 8, No. 1, pp. 31–35.

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