These examples are from Greg Parrott textbook, reproduced here with more explanation and

details for tutorial discussion purpose only.

Content

 Rectangular foundation with rectangular column and concentric axial load. (Example 7.1
in Greg Parrott Textbook)
 Rectangular foundation with a combination of concentric axial load and uniaxial bending.
(Example 7.2 in Greg Parrot textbook)
 Square foundation with square columns and concentric axial load (Example 7.1 Study
Guide)

Key words:

 Concentric load: Produces uniformly distributed pressure under the base

 Eccentric load: Induces moment in addition to the axial load and produces linearly
varying pressure under the base.

Example 7.1 Greg Parrot textbook (concentric axial load)

A 850 x 250 column carries a dead load of 900 kN and live load of 400 kN. The allowable soil
pressure is 200 kPa. Design a suitable rectangular base for the column using grade 25/26
concrete and high tensile reinforcement.

Assume that the base is to have a depth of 500 mm

Page 1 of 24
Base with rectangular column

Given data:

 Allowable bearing pressure Pb = 200 kN/m2 (This would normally come from the
geotechnical investigation)
 Dead load Dn = 900 kN
 Live load Ln = 400 kN
 Assume self-weight W = 80 kN.

The self-weight can be iteratively obtained using for example excel spreadsheet to balance the
soil pressure, bending, vertical shear and punching shear considerations to determine the
optimum sizes (Length, width and thickness)

Area required for the foundation:

Note that no load factor of 1.1 has been

used for the deal load and self-weight here
(900 + 400 + 80) 𝑘𝑁
𝐴 = = 6.9 𝑚
200 𝑘𝑁/𝑚

For equal moments in each direction, the distance from the face of the column to the edge of
the base should be approximately the same in each direction.

If the distance from the column face to the side of the base is different in each direction, the
moments in each direction will be different. Reinforcement in this case will need to be
calculated for each direction separately and provided accordingly.

Page 2 of 24
 L

x
250

B
850

i.e L - 850 = B - 250

from the expression above,

L = B + 850 - 250

L = B + 600

For a square base, 𝐿 = 𝐵 = √6.9 𝑚 = 2.63 𝑚

Try B= 2.3 m,

L = 2.3 + 0.6 = 2.9 m

Area = 2.9 m x 2.3 m = 6.67 m2 < the min required area of 6.9 m2

Try B = 2.4 m

L = 2.4 + 0.6 = 3 m

Area = 3 m x 2.4 m = 7.2 m2 > the min required area of 6.9 m2 which is ok

Adopt a base of 3 000 x 2 400.

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Ultimate pressure under the base:

(this is used to work out deign bending moments and shear forces)

[1.2(900) + 1.6(400)] 𝑘𝑁
𝑃 = = 238.9 𝑘𝑁/ 𝑚
(2.4 𝑚)(3 𝑚)

Note that the weight of the base has been omitted in calculating the ultimate pressure since,
although it would increase the pressure, it would be acting in the opposite direction to the
pressure when we calculate the shear force or moments

Bending moments

Because the distance from the column faces to the nearest foundation edges is the same in
the x-x and y-y directions, the moment about the x-x and y-y axis would be the same

. ( . )
𝑀 =𝑀 = = 138 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Page 4 of 24
 1.075

1.075/2
d2
d1

238.9x1.075

Design for bending:

d = 500 -50-16-8 = 426 mm (assuming Y16 in 2nd layer) (why second layer? Why not first layer?
As the pressure distribution below the foundation is the same, the “span” is also the same in
both directions, working out reinforcement using the d of the second layer of reinforcement
would slightly be conservative)

( )
𝐾= =( )( )( )
= 0.03 (<K’ = 0.156),

Therefore, no compression reinforcement required.

(If compression reinforcement would be required, it means the foundation is not deep
enough. Ideally, we want to avoid having compression reinforcement. If compression
reinforcement is required, then foundation depth needs to be increased to avoid this)

𝑍 𝐾 0.03
= 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.95
𝑑 0.9 0.9

Z = 0.95(d) = 0.95 x 426 = 404.7 mm

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Required area of reinforcement:

𝑀 (138)10
𝐴 = = = 871 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
(0.87) 𝑓 𝑍 (0.87)(450)(404.7)

Min area of reinforcement:

Page 6 of 24
 0.13
𝑀𝑖𝑛. 𝐴 = (1000)(500) = 650 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
100

Reinforcement across the length of the foundation.

Extract from the code on the distribution of reinforcement in rectangular bases.

As required over the base full length = 871 mm2 x 3 = 2613 mm2

3
𝛽 = = 1.25
2.4

Reinforcement factor: = 0.889

.

For central strip width b =2.4:

Page 7 of 24
As = 2613x 0.889 = 2323 mm2, which gives equivalent area of reinforcement of 968 mm2/m

Use Y16@200 (As = 1005 mm2)

Note that the reinforcement required outside of this central strip is less that that provided
within the central strip width, but for practical purposes, Y16 bars at 200 centres will be
continued over the full length of the base.

Let’s work out the reinforcement over the remaining edge strips in the longitudinal direction
to understand the meaning of the above statement:

 Area over the full length: 2613 mm2

 Area over the 2.4 m = 2323 mm2
 Balance of area to be distribute over the 2 edge strips = 2613-2323 = 290 mm2
 Area per strip per m length = [290/2]/[3-2.4]/2 = 483.33 mm2/m. In practice, the
reinforcement provided in a particular direction is the same throughout the length.
Reinforcement across the width of the foundation:

Calculated: 871 mm2/m

Provide Y16@200 (As = 1005 mm2)

Beam Shear: (vertical shear)

Page 8 of 24
1.5(d) = 1.5 x 426 = 639 mm

(Critical section). Also note if reinforcement calculated had changed from the initially bar
diameter assumed, a new d would have been calculated. Again here, d second layer is used. By
doing this, the critical section is larger than it would have been if d of the first layer of
reinforcement was used. The implication of this is that the shear area is slightly bigger and
hence the shear force also is slightly conservative.

Shear force V= 238.9 x (1.075-0.639) = 104.2 kN

Page 9 of 24
 1.075

0.639

Shear area
( . )( )
Shear stress 𝑣 = = ( )( )
= 0.245 𝑁/𝑚𝑚

𝑣 = 0.75 𝑓 = 0.75√25 = 3.75 (< 4.75)

v = 0.245 N/mm2 < v max, which is ok.

0.79 𝑓 100𝐴 400

𝑣 =
𝛾 25 𝑏𝑑 𝑑

0.79 25 100(1005) 400

𝑣 = = 0.326 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
1.4 25 (1000)(426) 426

v<vc , therefore, beam shear OK

Punching Shear
d in one direction d in the other direction
(first layer) (second layer)

(500 − 50 − 8) + (500 − 50 − 16 − 8)
𝑑 = = 434 𝑚𝑚
2

Page 10 of 24
 0.79 25 100(1005) 400
𝑣 = = 0.322 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
1.4 25 (1000)(434) 434

𝑣 = 0.75 𝑓 = 0.75√25 = 3.75 (< 4.75)

Load perimeter:

uo = 2(850 + 250) = 2200 mm

Effective shear area = (3 x 2.4) - (0.85 x 0.25) = 6.988 m2

Veff = 238.9 x 6.988 = 1669 kN (Pressure multiplied by area)

Shear stress on load perimeter:

𝑉 (1669)10
𝑣 = = = 1.748 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝑢 𝑑 (2200)(434)

vo = vmax, OK

First perimeter:

Page 11 of 24
Length: 850 + (3 x 434) = 2152 mm

Width: 250 + (3 x 434) = 1552 mm

u1 = 2(2152 + 1552) = 7408 mm

Effective shear area = (3 x 2.4) - (2.152 x 1.552) = 3.86 m2

Veff = 238.9 x 3.96 = 922.2 kN (Pressure multiplied by area)

𝑉 (922.2)10
𝑣 = = = 0.287 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝑢 𝑑 (7408)(434)

v1 = vc, OK

Page 12 of 24
Example 7.2 (Greg Parrot text book)

Base with square column and moment:

A 450 x 450 column is to support the applied nominal loads as tabled below:

Axial moment

Dead 800 kN 60 kNm

Live 300 kN 40 kNm

It is proposed that the base be 3.75 m long and 2.75 m wide and 500 mm deep. The safe
bearing pressure is 150 kPa

Check that the size of the base is suitable for the applied loads and calculate suitable
reinforcement using grade 25/26 concrete.
Page 13 of 24
WORKING PRESSURE:

Axial load N = 800 kN + 300 kN + (24 kN/m3 x 0.5 x 3.75 x 2.75) = 1223.8 kN

Moment M = 60 kNm + 40 kNm = 100 kNm (moment direction not provided, but from the
calculation, the moment is in the direction of the foundation length. Provide explanation and
sketch)

𝐿 3.75 𝑚
= = 0.625 𝑚
6 6

𝑀 100 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝐸 = = = 0.082 𝑚
𝑁 1223.8 𝑘𝑁

>𝐸 ∴ resultant in the middle third.

Soil pressure:

𝑁 6𝐸
𝑃= 1±
𝐵𝐿 𝐿

Explain this formula

Pressure max

𝑁 6𝐸 1223.8 (6)(0.082)
𝑃= 1+ = 1+ = 134.2 𝑘𝑃𝑎 < 150 𝑘𝑃𝑎 ∴ 𝑂𝐾!
𝐵𝐿 𝐿 (2.75)(3.75) 3.75

ULTIMTE PRESSURE

Axial load N = (1.2 x 800 kN) + (1.6 x 300 kN) = 1440 kN

Moment M = (1.2 x 60 kNm) + (1.6 x 40 kNm) = 136 kNm

Note the that the weight of the base has been omitted in calculating the ultimate pressure
since, although it would increase the pressure, it would be acting in the opposite direction to
the pressure when we calculate the shear force or moments

Page 14 of 24
 𝑀 136 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝐸 = = = 0.094 𝑚
𝑁 1440 𝑘𝑁

> 𝐸 ∴ resultant in the middle third.

Soil pressure:

𝑁 6𝐸
𝑃= 1±
𝐵𝐿 𝐿

Pressure max

𝑁 6𝐸 1440 (6)(0.094)
𝑃= 1+ = 1+ = 160.6 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
𝐵𝐿 𝐿 (2.75)(3.75) 3.75

Pressure min

𝑁 6𝐸 1440 (6)(0.094)
𝑃= 1− = 1− = 118.6 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
𝐵𝐿 𝐿 (2.75)(3.75) 3.75

BENDING:

long direction

How to calculate the value of pressure at the face of the column as indicated:
Page 15 of 24
 (142.1)1.65 160.6 − 142.1 2
𝑀 = + (1.65) (1.65) = 210.2 𝑘𝑁𝑚
2 2 3

See explanation below:

Page 16 of 24
d = 500 -50-8 = 442 mm (assuming Y16 in the first layer) (because the biggest moment is in this
direction, the first layer of reinforcement should be provided in this direction as well for
economic design)

( . )
𝐾= =( )( )( )
= 0.043 (<K’ = 0.156), therefore, no compression reinforcement

required. (See explanation for this earlier)

𝑍 𝐾 0.043
= 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.948
𝑑 0.9 0.9

Z = 0.948(d) = 0.948 x 442 = 419 mm

Required area of reinforcement:

𝑀 (210.2)10
𝐴 = = = 1281 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
(0.87) 𝑓 𝑍 (0.87)(450)(419)

Min area of reinforcement:

0.13
𝑀𝑖𝑛. 𝐴 = (1000)(500) = 650 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
100

Use Y16@150 (As = 1340 mm2)

Short direction:

Pressure average:

160.6 + 118.6
𝑃 = = 139.6 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
2

Span = = 1150 𝑚𝑚

Page 17 of 24
Moment:

139.6(1.15 )
𝑀= = 92.3 𝑘𝑁𝑚
2

d = 500 -50-16-8 = 426 mm (Y16 in the second layer)

( . )
𝐾= =( )( )( )
= 0.02 (<K’ = 0.156), therefore, no compression reinforcement

required.

𝑍 𝐾 0.02
= 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.5 + 0.25 − = 0.95
𝑑 0.9 0.9

Z = 0.95(d) = 0.95 x 426 = 415 mm

Required area of reinforcement:

𝑀 (92.3)10
𝐴 = = = 582 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
(0.87) 𝑓 𝑍 (0.87)(450)(405)

Min area of reinforcement:

0.13
𝑀𝑖𝑛. 𝐴 = (1000)(500) = 650 𝑚𝑚 /𝑚
100

Use Y16@225 (As = 894 mm2)

Note that the higher area of reinforcement provided is to prevent punching shear failure on
the first perimeter. What else could be done to prevent punching shear?

Beam shear:

1.5(d)=1.5 x 442 = 663 mm

Page 18 of 24
 160.6 − 149.5
𝑉 = (149.5)(0.987) + (0.987) = 153.0 𝑘𝑁
2

( )( )
Shear stress 𝑣 = =( )( )
= 0.345 𝑁/𝑚𝑚

𝑣 = 0.75 𝑓 = 0.75√25 = 3.75 (< 4.75)

v = 0.245 N/mm2 < v max, which is ok.

0.79 𝑓 100𝐴 400

𝑣 =
𝛾 25 𝑏𝑑 𝑑

0.79 25 100(1340) 400

𝑣 = = 0.351 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
1.4 25 (1000)(442) 442

v<vc , therefore, beam shear OK

Punching shear: (Explain this and why it is different to the previous example i.e why dave in
previous example as opposed to here. Because of different reinforcement in the two
directions)
Page 19 of 24
Short direction:

100𝐴 100(894)
= = 0.2099
𝑏𝑑 (1000)(426)

long direction:

100𝐴 100(1340)
= = 0.3032
𝑏𝑑 (1000)(442)

. .
Average = = 0.2565

Average effective depth:

(426 + 442)
𝑑 = = 434 𝑚𝑚
2

0.79 𝑓 100𝐴 400

𝑣 =
𝛾 25 𝑏𝑑 𝑑

0.79 25 400
𝑣 = (0.2565) = 0.334 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
1.4 25 434

𝑣 = 0.75 𝑓 = 0.75√25 = 3.75 (< 4.75)

Load perimeter:

uo = 4(450) = 1800 mm

Effective shear area = (3.75 x 2.75) - (0.45 x 0.45) = 10.11 m2 (add diagram and explanation)

Page 20 of 24
Veff = 139.6 x 10.11 = 1411.4 kN (Pressure multiplied by area)

Shear stress on load perimeter:

𝑉 (1411.4)10
𝑣 = = = 1.807 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝑢 𝑑 (1800)(434)

vo = vmax, OK

First perimeter: (add formula here)

Length: 450 + (3 x 434) = 1752 mm

Width: 450 + (3 x 434) = 1752 mm

u1 = 2(1752 + 1752) = 7008 mm

Effective shear area = (3.75 x 2.75) - (1.752 x 1.752) = 7.24 m2 (add diagram and explanation)

Veff = 139.6 x 7.24 = 1010.7 kN (Pressure multiplied by area)

𝑉 (1010.7)10
𝑣 = = = 0.332 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝑢 𝑑 (7008)(434)

v1 = vc, OK, no shear reinforcement required. If it was required, then what?

Add reinforcement sketch

Page 21 of 24
Page 22 of 24
Foundation stress formula

Direct stress Bending stress

𝑃 𝑀
𝑓= ± Equation (1)
𝐴 𝑍

𝑀 = 𝑒. 𝑃 Equation (2)

𝑏𝑑
𝑍= Equation (3)
6

𝐴 = 𝑏. 𝑑 Equation (4)

Replace equations (2), (3) and (4) into (1) gives:

𝑃 6. 𝑒. 𝑃
𝑓= ±
𝑏. 𝑑 𝑏𝑑

𝑃 6. 𝑒
𝑓= 1±
𝑏. 𝑑 𝑑

d is the foundation dimension in the direction of bending (or perpendicular to the axis of
bending)
b is the foundation dimension perpendicular to the direction of bending (or parallel to the axis
of bending)

Page 23 of 24
When a base is subjected to a uniaxial bending, the moment will in practice generally be in the
direction of the base length. In this case, the B and L as given in the Text book formula used will
represent the width and length of the foundation respectively.

Page 24 of 24