Structure

18.1 l l ~ l r o d u c t i o ~ ~
Object~~es
18.2 General Design Considerations
18.3 Summary
18.4 hriswcrs to SAQs

18.1 INTRODUCTION

An R.C. foundation under a number of colu~nnsin a row or rows, in the form of a slab with
or without beams is called a rajl fortndatiorz. 'I'liis type of foundation becomes essential
when isolated footings under differenl columns or combined footing under columns in
different rows would have overlapped one over the other due to soil of low bearing
capacity. Raft foundation may be of the following types:

a) Mat Type: It consists of simple slab under the columns (Figure 18.1). This type is
suilable for small loads having colunlns at nearly uniform arid closer spacing.

(a) Plan

jb) Section at A- A

Figure 18.1: M a t 'l'ypc Karl Fuundaliun

b) Slab with Prolrusions 7)pe: It corlsists of simple slab with protrusions under
the columns to resist shear and be~idi~ig adequately (Figure 18.2). These
protrusions may also be in the f'orrn of pedestal on top or the slab.
K C C Structures-1

(a) Plan

(b) Section at A- A

Figure 18.2: Flat I'lnte with I'roirusions

C) SluO unrl lleurn 7ype: It is just like inverfed roof having slab supported on
beiulls t1:igure 18.3). Such L'ootings are provided whcre thc loads coming
tllrougi~c~olu~nns arc heavier and c o l u ~ n ~are
i s gencrally at IIOII-uniform
spacinss. 'l'he beams may be citl~cron top or bottom of the slab depending on
arcllitcctural requirement.

(.a) Plan

(b) Section at A- A
Figure 18.3 : Slvh and Henm Type Rnfi

d) C ~ l l ~ t l or
u r Rigid Frume Type: This type ol' foundation is suitable for very
heavy loads on soil of relatively high bearing capacity (Figure 18.4).
So~nc~inrcs, basement wall, i f any, are used as bca~nsol'slab ancl beam type o r
as vcrlical side of cells in cellular or rigid frame type (Figure 18.5)
 (a) Plan

'--~mpty or Sand fdled

Cells
(b) Section at A- A

Figure 18.4: Cellular Type Knl'i P u u ~ ~ d a l i u n

Basem
wall

(b) Section at A- A

Figure 18.5: Rigid F r u ~ l ~Type

e
- Empty or Sand Filled
Cells

Rnrt Foundation

Objectives
APier studying this unit, you should be able to
know different type of raft foundation, and
 illusll.alc c.or~~lrntior~a1
rnctliod of analysis wid dcsign of sinrplc ral't
I'~UIIC~;LI~~II.

18.2 GENERAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Approach to iuii~lysisand dcsign of raft foundation may hc c i l l ~ c of
r the following two
t y pcs :
1) Rigid Fo~trr~lution
For this type, llle foundatinn clcmcnts are co~isidcrcdas rigid produc~ngplanar
distributio~ior soil prcssurc. In otlicr uords. tlic dcflcction of tlicJol~ndution or tnal
docs lot ~ ~ ~ l l u ctlie ~ i cpressure
c distribut~on(1'1gure 18.6). 'l'lle prcssurc d~stribution
(p) under tltc ~ ; r l tsllall be dctcnnlncd h) Sollow~ngCorm~~la
3 1 1 ~ . (1:1yurcl8.7Y

(a) Rigid Plate

x<1/2

(b) Settelement as kgid Plate

(c) Pressure Diagram PI> P 2

Figure 18.6: Rigid Foundalion

(a) Plan showing position of C.G.ofLoads (P)

L P ~ < ~ ~
(5) Pressure Distribution dong Plane X' - X'
 RaCl Foundalinns

P = total vertical loads ( C Pi)

A = afia of raft
ex, ey = eccc~itricitiesof total vertic;ll loads w.r.1. X-X and Y-Y axes respectively.

I , IY = moment of inertia about X-X and Y-Y axes respectively.

x', y' = coordinate of thc point at whicl~value of p is desired from XI-X' and Y'-Y'
axes respectively.
This approach reduces the analysis and dcsign of foundation system to that of an
inverted roof-either flat slab lype or slab und beam type with loading profile give11
by Equation (18.1).
2) Flesihle Foundation
In this lypc the soil Inass is considcrcd to be rnade of springs of different s t i f f ~ ~ eor
ss
Inass o f dense liquid * (I'igurc 18.8). 'l'lic analysis and dcsign is done by finite
This approach is, therefore, out o f scopc oftliis
diftcrence or finite e l c ~ n c n~netliod.
t
unit as it is riot suited to manual design.
f lc~icconly first approach of analysis and design will be illustrated here through the
lollowing examples.

(a) Flexible Plate

Elastic Spring

or

or ,Elastic Dense Fluid

(b) Deflected as PerfectlyElastic

Plate

(c) Pressure Diagram

Figure 18.8: Flexil,le Foundation

* The foundation is assunled to be perfeclly elastic. 'l'herckx'e, the pressure at any point i s linearly
prtrpol-tiotlal to the deflection a1 that point. The spl-~ilgconstant or coerficient or subgradr reaction is
taken as the plrssurr required lo produce a U I I ~ I scltlenienl. The spring constanl is the same in
con~pressionas well as in tension
 Design a raft foundation for (he arrangement of coluo~nqshown in the Figure 18.9.
* all columns are of the same size 350 x
The bearing capacity of soil is 175 k ~ l n l and
350 mm. The loading on each outer column I S 2000 kN whereas on each interior
colulnn i t 1s 2500 kN each. Use M 20 concrete and Fe 415 steel

Figure 18.9: Layout of Colulnnb

Solution

M 20 co~lcl.c.~c
Ft: 415 steel.

Size and Gerleral Arrangenient of Foilrldatiorr

Column loads = 10 x 2000 + 2 x 2500 = 25000 kN

Self-weight of foundation = 2500 k N
(Assuming 10% of superimposed load)
Total load = 27500 kN

27500
Required area of foundation = ---
- 157.14 mZ
175
Providing Im projection from centre line of columns on each side the area of foundation
provicled = 14 x 12 = 168 m2 > 157.14 tnm2.
The arrangement of beams width 350 of connecting the columns have been shown in
Figure 18.10.

The intensity of presstire from so11y = -=

Lp 225000
' - - = 148.8 k ~ / r n ~
A 168

Desigrl qf Slabs
Depth
i) Prom B.M Considerations
Cantilever span, a = 0.825 m
 RaPt Foundations

Figure 18.10: Arrangement of Beatns a r ~ dI'rcssure 1)iagram of the Haft Foundation

-
1489 K 0.825~
Maxunum D . M in cantilever, MmU= ---- - = 50.67 kNrn
2 2
Maxirnuln B.M. in thc continuous slab

ii) From S.E Consideration

L
Maxirnuln S.F. in canlilcver at distanc~.tl Irom support,
p(u - d) = 1 4 8 . 9 ~lo-' (825 - ri) x 1000 = 148.0 (825 - d) N

= 89.34 (825 - tl) N <'148.0 (825 - (!)

IIctrce tn:tximum S I' for calculation of d = 148.9 (825 - d ) N

t Cor pH = 0.43 1 %>
WCC Structures-1 rcbd = 0.278 x 1000 x d
I:quat~ng rnaxilnu~i~
shear force with the permissible shear force
148.9 (825 - (/I = 0.278 x 1000 x d
or 122842.5 - 148.9 x d = 0.278d x lo3
or 122842.5 - 148.9d = 278 d

Hence provideill) = 340 and d = 290 taking effective cover of 50 mm.

As,
For cantilever slab,

M 50.67 x lo6
As, = - = - 838.49 mm2/1n
a,,jl$rl 230 x 0.906 x 290 -
78.5 x 1000
Spacing of $10 = = 93.62
838.49
For colilinuous slab,

78.5 x loo0
:. Spacing s = = 79.65 mm2
985.6

Maximulrn perniissible spacing s = 3d = 3 x 290 = 870 or 450 whichever is less

Hence provided 4 1 0 @ 75 clc in both orthogonal directions in cantilever a s well a s in
contilluous slabs for hugging and sagging bending.
Thc detailing of slat) reinforcerncnt have been shown in Figitre 18.11.

Figure 18.11: Section through Slab

Design of Secnnrlup Heam SA-5C.

Though the S.I:.L>.aid B.M.D. for the bean shall not comply wit11Lhosc for a two-span
contilruous bca~nbccause of the known reaction of main beam*, still tlie S.F. and A.M.in this

* The rcactiuos ol 11iil111beams are the applied load through column which generally, do n o t satisfy
statics d u e to planer distribution of soil pressure.
 Raft Foundations
beam are cakcn as for continuoirs heurn for design purposes to be on conscrvative side
(17igure18.12).

Figure 18.12: Shuwing L o a d i ~ ~a11d of Kencliuns and B.M.S.

p C<~el'l'icic'~~l

'1o~;tl1,oad 011 urlr span, W = 148.9 x 2 x 5 = I489 kN

r S I;. ;I( the d from end support

= +0.375 x 148.9 - 1489 x 2 (0.175 + 0.29) = 419.89 kN

S.1:. at d from lniddle support

B.M. at mid span

= 0.07 x 1489 x 5 = 521.15 kNln

H .M. a1 the face of middle support

Taking L) = 1490 and effective cover of 50, d = 1440

Hence provided D = 1490 and d = 1440

Area r3f s l e d A ,
For B.M. at the face oC middle support

A*I - M - 926.06 x lo6

a,,j8d 230 x 0.906 x 1440 = 3086.17 mm2

Hence provided 10#20

4,) for I I I spun
~ ~

I3ealn ill 1111sseolio~,will behave as 'r-bc;k1l1

W i l l be least of the foll0willg

KCC Structures-I

AJ I - M
---.=
a,,j,u'
' -
521.15
230 0.9 1440
x x
-
'lo6 -- 1748.35 ,nlnz

Hence provided 6#20 (A, = 1884 nlm2)

Provision of Shear Reinforcement
Nominal s1ie;u-stress at d from face of mid-support,

. Vc = rcbd = 0.379 x 500 x 1440 = 200.88 kN

. Vs = 792.15 - 200.88 = 59 1.27 kN
'Taking 410-2 legged siirrups, AJY= 100

.ry shall be thc lcast ol'

i) 0.7511 = 0.75 x 1440 = 1080

ii) 450

Norninal ~ h c stress
i ~ d from face of exterior beam
 Raft Foundations

Hence provided 4110-2legged stirrups @I80 tllroughout

l'hc details Ili~vebeen shown in Figure 18.13.

\ # 10-2 Legged
Stirrups @ 180 c c
throughout
Figure 18.13: Details of Secondary Beam 5A-5C

? Design of Main Beam C-C

Loads (Figure 18.14)

Figure 18.14: lieam C - C '

IJ.DL on this beam is due to projected slab and pressure directly on the beam over a rota1
lengtli oi(O.825 + 0.5) = 1.325 m.

1
concentrated load due to reaction from the sccoiidasy beam* = - x 2 x 148.9 x (5 - 0.5)
2
= 670.05 kN

~ ~ -- - - - -

* Though the reaction f r o m secondary conrinuul~shcam is 0.375 W (Figure 18.12). it is taken equal to
0.5 W to be on conservative side due to the fact that beam will b,e analysed on the approximation that
the reactions are the actual column loads.
RCC Slruclures-l Statical Check
For equilibrium of beam C-C

C f y= 4 x 2000 + 670.05 x 7 + 197.29 x 14 = -547.59 kN

:. For two exterior main beams the total downward load = 2 x 547.59 = 1095.18 kN
For equilibrium of beam B-B (Figure 18.15)

Figure 18.15: Loading on Beam B-B

The u.d.1 will be only due to soil pressure on under-side of the beam itself
= 148.9 x 0.5 = 74.45 kNlm
conc. laad due lo secondry beam = 670.05 x 2 = 1340.1 kN
:. C f y= -2 x 2000 - 2 x 2500 + 74.45 x 14 + 1340.1 x 7 = 1423.0 kN (upward load)
Hence for the whole raft
Total upward load = 1423.0 - 1095.18 = 327.82 kN
If conc. loads, due to secondary beam, on main beam are taken according to reaction
coefficients then,

From above it is clear ihat almost the same results for both the methods.
B.M at critical section
At the face of supporl next to the end support

Provided D = 1920 and d = 1870

Hence pbovided 9#25 ( A , = 4410 mm2)

 B.M. will bc the maximum in the span where S.F. = 0 ~ s f l Foundsllons
'

or +2000 - 670.05 x 2 - 197.29~= 0

or x = 3.34 ~u

At this section the beam will act as 'I'-beam and, tllcrcofore, assuming j, a 0.9

H e w e provided 10#25 ( A , = 4900mm2)

S.R at Critical Sections
At distancc d from inner face of exterior column
r4

= -197.29 x (0.825 + 0.35 + 1.87) + 2000 - 670.05 = 729.2 kN

At d L,.II. of support next to end support
P 3.34
= +2000 - 2 x 670.05 - 197.29 x ( I + 4 - ----- 1.87) = -371.85 kN
2

:. Nominal shear stress at d tiom i111icrface of cxterior column

(0.35 - 0.3) N
z,. = 0.3 + x (0.52 - 0.5) = 0.3047
(0.75 - 0.5) lnln

:. Vc = zcbd = 0.304 x 500 x 1870 x10-" 228.24 kN

:. Vs = V - Vc = (729.2 - 284.24) = 444.06 kN

Taking #10-2 legged stirrups

s,,shall not be greater tlran

i) 0.75d = 0.75 x 1870 = 1402.5

ii) 450

A , x 0.87f 100 x 0.87 x 4 15 = 80.S2

iii) - - y =
0.4b 0.4 x 500

Hence provided #&two legged stirrups @I50 d c throughout

'I'he details of reinforcemellt have been shown in Figure 18.16.
KCC Structures-I

Figure 18.16: I)ctnils of blnin Henn~

i o nthe data of Exarnple 18.1 (Figure 18.17).

Ilesign a r n u ~ j i u ~ ~ n d a fPor

Figure 18.17: 1,ongitudinnl and C r o s s Heall~s

Solution
According to HIS 2950 (Part - I) - 1981, when the variations in adjacent column
loads and tlieir spacing d o not exceed 20% o f tlie higher value, the raft may be
divided i~rtoperpendicular strips of widths equal to the distance bctwecn mid spans
anti each strip inay be analysed a s at1 indcpendcnt beam wit11 known column loads
and known cotitact pressures.
Based on ahovc mentioned princ~ples,the slab has hcen d i v ~ d e dinto '3 longltudllaal
bea111s and 3 cross beams as follows;
 Two longitudinal beams A-A and C-C each of widill 3.5 and length 14 m Waft Fnundrlions

One longitudrnal beam H-H of width 5 rn and lenglh 14 m

'l'wo cross bcarns 1-1 and 4-4 each of width 3 m and length 12 m
Two cross beams 2-2 and 3-3 each of wid111 41n and length 12 m
Design of beanl I)-11
Loads (Figure 18.18)

lrn
1
1 4rn
1
1
.
4m
1
1 4m 1
1
lm 1
(a) Plan
2000k-. 2500 2500 2000

(b) Loading

Figure 18.18: Beam B -R

full. w = 148.9 x 5 = 744.5 kNIm

(! - 0.175)~
B . M . at L , l I . l'ace of exterior column, M = 744.5 x = 253.36 kNm
2
Ma-rirnum B.M. at span
For this let the shear force be zcro at x from thc cdge of the rnal
S.t;. = -744.5.r + 2000
or .r= 2.65, m

I3.M. ai 1,.11.. thce of column next to end col~tlllli

7L
H.M. ai mid span of middle span, M = 744.5 x 1-- 2000 x 6 - 2.500 x 2 = 1240.25 kNm

For deciding ilcprh, the maxiil~umB . M . for bcam 2-2 is also calculaied
RCC ~tructures-1 Loads (Figure 18.19)

(a) h m
2cKKl kN 2500 kbl 2000 l(N

t~itttlt~ti~ /W = 595.6kN/m

(b) Loading

Figure 18.19: Beam 2 -2

udl, w 5 148.9 x 4 = 595.6 kN/m
Maximum H.M in the span
Let S.F. = 0 at x from edge of the mat
V = 0 = -595.6 x + 2000
or x = 3.36 m

3 362
. M,, = 595.6 x -- 2000 X (3.36 - 1) = -1357.95 kNm
2
B.M. at L.11. face of column next to exterior column

Depth o f Foundation from Two-way shear considerations

B0=4(b+d)=4(350+d)

350
ks = (0.5 + -) = 1.5 > 1
350

zC= 0 . 1 6 J f , = 0 . 1 6 f i = 0 . 7 1 6

. Permissible shear stress = k,zc = 1 x 0.7 16 = 0.7 16 ~ / m r n '

t = - =V 2500 x lo3
= k,tc = 0.716
. " bod 4(350 +d)d
 Raft Foundations

Hence provided D = 900 and d = 875

Area of steel (Asl)

201 x 5000
Spacing of #16, s = = 160.50
6257.96

spacing shall be Lhe least of the following for the beam

i) 160.59
ii) 3 d = 3 x 180=540
iii) 450

Hence provided #16 @ I 1 0

A , for span

- M 686'36 lo' = 3764.33 mm2

A,, = --
o,,jBd 230 x 0.906 x 875

201 x 5000
Spacing of #16. s = = 266.98
3764.33

Hence provided #16 @I10 throughout both at supports and in span in both directions.
Clieck for One-way Shear
At distance d from the inner face of exterior column,

Ae distance d from L.H. face of the column next to end column

V,,,,, -
-
940.78 x lo3 N N
.'. 7 ,,,,,a, = =0.21--7 < 0 . 2 2 - 7
hd 5000 x 875 rnm rnm
RCC Structures-l The details of rcinforccmcnts have beell shown in Figure 18.20.

lm , 4m
1 1"-

throughout throughout

Figure 18.20: 1)eialls of Beam R -R

SAQ 1
i) Defi~lca raft foundation.

ii) What arc thi: types of raft footings ? Explain with sketches.

SAQ 2
i) Whicll are the methods of analysis for design of a raft foundation? Why
tlexihlc method of analysis has not been discussed in this unil?
ii) Design and detail the central span of the main beam B-R of lixample 18.1.
iii) Design and detaiI the beam 2-2 of the mat foundation of Ilxainple 18.2.

A raft type foulridatio~lis proposed when isolated footings for individual colurnns overlap
each other for a structure. Selection of the type of raft is deperide~iton Lypc of soil, type of
loading, site p l ~ i enviroilmental
, factors etc. Ma~lualdesign is possible only by assuming
the raft to be rigid one and, therefore, ihe contact pressure variation is assumed as planar
(Eqn 18.1). 'The raft is analysed as a whole in each of tlie two perpendicular directions
which is based on principle of statics for known column loads and known contact
pressure.

18.4 ANSWERS TO SAQs

SAQ 1
i) Refer text 18.1
iil Keczr text 18.1

SAQ 2
i) Refer text 18.2
ii) Kefer Example 18.1
iii) Refer Example 18.2

124 * The reinforcements have been provided at closer interval to match the curtailmcrir
FURTHER READINGS
HIS : 456-1978, "Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete", Bureau of
Indian Standards, Manak Bhawan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002
SP 16 : 1980, "Design Aids for Reinforced Concrete to BIS : 456 - 1978", Bureau of
Indian Standards, Manak Bhawan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New llelhi - 110002
Mallick S. K. & Gupta A. P. , "Reinforced Concrete", Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.
Pvt. Ltd.
S. N. Sinha, "Reinforced Concrete Design," Tata MC Graw-Hill Publishing Company
Limited.
SP 24 : 1983 "Explantary Handbook o n IS :456-1978", Bureau of Indian Standards,
Ma~iakBhawan, 9 Rahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002
Pillai S.V. arid Menon D. "Reinforced Concrete Design", lBta McGraw-I-Iill
Publishing Company Ltd., New Dclhi.
Punlnia B.C., Jain Ashok K., & Jail1 Arun K., "Reinforced Concrete Structures -
Volut~lef', Laxmi Publications, 7/21, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002.
IS : 2950 (Part - I) - 198 1, "Code oJ' Yracrice for the Design and Conslruction of
Raft Foundation". Bureau of Indian Slandards, Manak Rhawan, 9 Bahadur Shah
Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002
9) Jai Krishna and Jain O.P., "Plain and Reinforced Concrete, Volume I", Nemchand &
Rros", Roorkee.
10) Terig W.C., "Foundation Design, Prentice Hall of India (Pvt.) Ltd".
1 1 ) Varyalii U.H., "Slri4ctliral Design ofM~tl/i.sloreyedBitildings", South Asian Publishers,
New Delhi.