"FOOTINGS" --- RECTANGULAR SPREAD FOOTING ANALYSIS

Program Description:

"FOOTINGS" is a spreadsheet program written in MS-Excel for the purpose of analysis of rigid rectangular
spread footings with up to 8 total piers, and for either uniaxial or biaxial resultant eccentricities. Overturning
sliding, and uplift stability checks are made when applicable, and resulting gross soil bearing pressures at
the four (4) corners of the footing are calculated. The maximum net soil bearing pressure is also determined.

This program is a workbook consisting of three (3) worksheets, described as follows:

Worksheet Name Description

Doc This documentation sheet
Footing (net pier loads) Individual rectangular spread footing analysis (with net pier loadings)
Footing (breakdown of loads) Individual rectangular spread footing analysis (with breakdown of loadings)

Program Assumptions and Limitations:

1. This program assumes that the spread footing is in fact "rigid", so that the bearing pressure is distributed
linearly on a homogeneous soil. (Note: the actual footing is generally not "rigid", nor is the pressure beaneth
it distributed linearly. However, it has been found that solutions using the assumed "rigid" concept are
adequate and generally result in a conservative design.)
2. This program assumes an orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate system with the origin located at the centroid of the
footing in plan (footprint). "Right-Hand-Rule" sign convention is used for input of all pier coordinates as
well as for all applied forces and moments at piers.
3. This program will handle from 1 up to eight (8) total piers located anywhere on the base of the footing.
Piers can be numbered in any desired order.
4. This program does not check the actual calculated soil bearing pressure against a given allowable soil
pressure. This is done so that the extent of acceptable overstress is left up to the judgement of the user.
However, in all cases this must be checked by the user.
5. This program does not use a specified permissible value for the factor of safety against overturning. However,
a minimum value of 1.5 to 2.0 is suggested, based upon the particular conditions. (A "Footing is unstable!"
error message will be displayed if the factor of safety against overturning is < 1.0. Then the user must revise
the footing dimensions or other parameters.)
6. This program does not use a specified permissible value for the factor of safety against uplift. However,
a minimum value of 1.2 to 1.5 is suggested, based upon the particular conditions and the extent of footing
confinement. (A "Footing is unstable!" error message will be displayed if the factor of safety against uplift is
< 1.0. Then the user must revise the footing dimensions or other parameters.)
7. The "Footing (net pier loads)" worksheet deals with net applied loadings at the piers. That is, there is no
allowance for individual breakdown of dead, live, and wind (or seismic) loadings.
This worksheet should be specifically used in any of the following conditions:
a. When the individual breakdown of loadings is not known or is not critical
b. When there are little or no uplift or overturning forces and moments due to wind (or seismic)
c. When the factor of safety against uplift or overturning due to wind (or seismic) is NOT critical
d. When there are overturning forces or moments due to only gravity (dead or live) loadings
8. The "Footing (net pier loads)" worksheet considers all net applied moments and horizontal loads as forces
causing overturning. However, a net uplift load is considered as a force causing overturning only when there is
an applicable resultant eccentricity in the direction of overturning. For a net uplift pier load, the "excess" pier
weight (pier weight less soil weight) is subtracted from the net uplift load at the pier location.
9. The "Footing (breakdown of loads)" worksheet allows for individual breakdown of dead, live, and wind (or
seismic) loadings.
 This worksheet should be specifically used in any of the following conditions:
a. When the individual breakdown of loadings is known or is critical
b. When there are uplift or overturning forces and moments due to wind (or seismic)
c. When the factor of safety against uplift or overturning due to wind (or seismic) is critical
d. When there are no overturning forces or moments due to only gravity (dead or live) loadings
10. The "Footing (breakdown of loads)" worksheet considers only applied wind (or seismic) shears, uplifts, and
moments as forces causing overturning. Any wind (or seismic) loads which act in opposite direction to sense
of overturning are considered as forces which reduce the total overturning. Only applied pier dead (not live)
loadings are considered as forces resisting overturning. Any dead loadings which act in opposite direction to
sense of resisting overturning are considered as forces which reduce the total resistance to overturning.
11. This program includes the uniform live load surcharge in the calculation of the soil bearing pressures. The
uniform live load surcharge is not included in the calculation of "resisting" moment for overturning check, nor in
the calculations for uplift check. The uniform live load surcharge is assumed to act over the entire footing
plan area.
12. This program will calculate the soil bearing pressures at the corners of the footing for all cases of resultant
eccentricity, both uniaxial and biaxial. The corners of the footing are always designated in the footing plan
proceeding counterclockwise from the lower right-hand corner as follows:
(3) = upper left-hand corner (2) = upper right-hand corner
(4) = lower left-hand corner (1) = lower right-hand corner
13. Reference used in this program for footing with cases of biaxial resultant eccentricity is:
"Analytical Approach to Biaxial Eccentricity" - by Eli Czerniak
Journal of the Structural Division, Proceedings of the ASCE, ST4 (1962), ST3 (1963)
14. Another more recent reference for footing with cases of biaxial resultant eccentricity is:
"Bearing Pressures for Rectangular Footings with Biaxial Uplift" - by Kenneth E. Wilson
Journal of Bridge Engineering - Feb. 1997
15. This program contains numerous “comment boxes” which contain a wide variety of information including
explanations of input or output items, equations used, data tables, etc. (Note: presence of a “comment box”
is denoted by a “red triangle” in the upper right-hand corner of a cell. Merely move the mouse pointer to the
desired cell to view the contents of that particular "comment box".)
 "FOOTINGS.xls" Program
Version 2.8

RECTANGULAR SPREAD FOOTING ANALYSIS

For Assumed Rigid Footing with from 1 To 8 Piers
Subjected to Uniaxial or Biaxial Eccentricity
Job Name: Subject: ###
Job Number: Originator: Checker: ###
###
Input Data: +Pz ###
###
Footing Data: +My ###
+Hx ###
Footing Length, L = 2.000 m Q W(total) =
Footing Width, B = 2.000 m Pier Weigh
Footing Thickness, T = 0.600 m Lpx D h Pier #1
Concrete Unit Wt., gc = 2.500 tf/m³ xp =
Soil Depth, D = 1.000 m yp =
Soil Unit Wt., gs = 1.800 tf/m³ T Pier Wt. =
Pass. Press. Coef., Kp = 3.000 -(Pz) =
Coef. of Base Friction, m = 0.400 S(-Pz) =
Uniform Surcharge, Q = 0.000 tf/m² Pz(dn) =
L SPz(dn) =
Pier/Loading Data: Pz(up) =
Number of Piers = 1 Nomenclature SPz(up) =
Mex(due to Pz) =
Pier #1 SMex =
Xp (m) = 0.000 Mox(due to Hy & Mx) =
Yp (m) = 0.000 Mox(due to Pz) =
Lpx (m) = 0.600 SMox =
Lpy (m) = 0.600 Mey(due to Pz) =
h (m) = 1.200 SMey =
Pz (tf) = -200.00 Moy(due to Hx & My) =
Hx (tf) = 20.00 Moy(due to Pz) =
Hy (tf) = 0.00 SMoy =
Mx (tf.m) = 0.00 Mrx =
My (tf.m) = 100.00 SMrx =
Mry =
Y SMry =

SPz =

ex =
ey =

SMrx =
SMox =
X FS(ot)x =
SMry =
SMoy =
FS(ot)y =

Pass(x) =
Frict(x) =
FS(slid)x =
FOOTING PLAN Pass(y) =
Frict(y) =

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 "FOOTINGS.xls" Program
Version 2.8

FS(slid)y =
Results: Nomenclature for Biaxial Eccentricity:
Case 1: For 3 Corners in Bearing SPz(down) =
Total Resultant Load and Eccentricities: (Dist. x > L and Dist. y > B) SPz(uplift) =
SPz = -213.63 tf Dist. x FS(uplift) =
ex = 0.637 m (> L/6) Pmax
ey = 0.000 Brg. Ly
P3 =
Overturning Check: P4 =
SMrx = N.A. tf.m Brg. Lx =
SMox = N.A. tf.m Dist. y Brg. Ly =
Line of zero
FS(ot)x = N.A. pressure Brg. Lx
% Brg. Area =
SMry = 213.63 tf.m
SMoy = 136.00 tf.m P(max) =
FS(ot)y = 1.571 (>= 1.5) P(min) =
Case 2: For 2 Corners in Bearing P3 =
Sliding Check: (Dist. x > L and Dist. y <= B) P4 =
Passive(x) = 8.42 tf Dist. x Brg. Lx =
Frict(x) = 85.45 tf Pmax Brg. Ly =
FS(slid)x = 4.694 (>= 1.5) Brg. Ly1 % Brg. Area =
Passive(y) = 8.42 tf
Frict(y) = 85.45 tf Dist. y P(max) =
FS(slid)y = N.A. Brg. Ly2 P(min) =
P3 =
Line of zero
Uplift Check: P4 =
pressure
SPz(down) = -213.63 tf Brg. Lx =
SPz(uplift) = 0.00 tf Brg. Ly =
FS(uplift) = N.A. % Brg. Area =
Case 3: For 2 Corners in Bearing
Bearing Length and % Bearing Area: (Dist. x <= L and Dist. y > B) Check Ecc.:
Dist. x = N.A. m Dist. x P3 =
Dist. y = N.A. m Brg. Lx2 Pmax P4 =
Brg. Lx = 1.090 m Brg. Lx =
Brg. Ly = 2.000 m Brg. Ly =
%Brg. Area = 54.51 % % Brg. Area =
Biaxial Case = N.A.
Dist. y heck Ecc.:
Line of zero
Gross Soil Bearing Corner Pressures: P3 =
pressure Brg. Lx1
P1 = 195.957 tf/m² P4 =
P2 = 195.957 tf/m² Distance dx =
P3 = 0.000 tf/m² Distance dy =
P4 = 0.000 tf/m² Case 4: For 1 Corner in Bearing Brg. Lx =
(Dist. x <= L and Dist. y <= B) Brg. Ly =
Dist. x % Brg. Area =
P3=0 tf/m² P2=195.957 tf/m² Brg. Lx Pmax xial Case =

B Brg. Lx =
P4=0 tf/m² L P1=195.957 tf/m² Dist. y Brg. Ly =
CORNER PRESSURES Brg. Ly rg. Area =
Line of zero pressure
Maximum Net Soil Pressure: Brg. Ly1 =
Pmax(net) = Pmax(gross)-(D+T)*gs Brg. Ly2 =
Pmax(net) = 193.077 tf/m² % Brg. Area =

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 "FOOTINGS.xls" Program
Version 2.8

RECTANGULAR SPREAD FOOTING ANALYSIS

For Assumed Rigid Footing with from 1 To 8 Piers
Subjected to Uniaxial or Biaxial Eccentricity
Job Name: Subject: ###
Job Number: Originator: Checker: ###
###
Input Data: +Pz ###
###
Footing Data: +My ###
+Hx ###
Footing Length, L = 16.000 m Q W(total) =
Footing Width, B = 10.000 m Pier Weights and Loa
Footing Thickness, T = 3.000 m Lpx D h Pier #1
Concrete Unit Wt., gc = 0.150 tf/m³ xp =
Soil Depth, D = 2.000 m yp =
Soil Unit Wt., gs = 0.120 tf/m³ T Pier Wt. =
Pass. Press. Coef., Kp = 3.000 -Pz =
Coef. of Base Friction, m = 0.400 S(-Pz) =
Uniform Surcharge, Q = 0.200 tf/m² Total Vertical Load:
L SPz =
Pier/Loading Data: Eccentricity of Resul
Number of Piers = 2 Nomenclature Mx(due to Pz) =
Mx(due to HyD & MxD) =
Pier #1 Pier #2 L & MxL) =
Xp (m) = -3.000 3.000 Mx(due to HyW & MxW) =
Yp (m) = 0.000 0.000 SMx =
Lpx (m) = 2.500 2.500 My(due to Pz) =
Lpy (m) = 2.000 2.000 My(due to HxD, & MyD) =
h (m) = 3.000 3.000 My(due to HxL & MyL) =
Pz(D) (tf) = -5.00 -30.00 My(due HxW & MyW) =
Pz(L) (tf) = -5.00 -10.00 SMy =
Pz(W) (tf) = 40.00 -40.00 ex =
Hx(D) (tf) = 0.00 0.00 ey =
Hx(L) (tf) = 0.00 0.00 Overturning Check:
Hx(W) (tf) = 20.00 10.00 Mrx(Wf+Ws) =
Hy(D) (tf) = 0.00 0.00 Mrx(PzD) =
Hy(L) (tf) = 0.00 0.00 Mrx(HyD) =
Hy(W) (tf) = 10.00 0.00 Mrx(MxD) =
Mx(D) (tf.m) = 0.00 0.00 SMrx =
Mx(L) (tf.m) = 0.00 0.00 Mox(PzW) =
Mx(W) (tf.m) = -10.00 -10.00 Mox(HyW) =
My(D) (tf.m) = 0.00 0.00 Mox(MxW) =
My(L) (tf.m) = 0.00 0.00 SMox =
My(W) (tf.m) = 10.00 20.00 FS(ot)x =
Mry(Wf+Ws) =
Y Mry(PzD) =
Mry(HxD) =
Mry(MyD) =
SMry =
Moy(PzW) =
Moy(HxW) =
Moy(MyW) =
X SMoy =
FS(ot)y =
Sliding Check:
Hx(D) =
SHx(D)Resist =
Pass(x) =
FOOTING PLAN Frict(x) =
SHx(W) =

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 "FOOTINGS.xls" Program
Version 2.8

FS(slid)x =
Results: Hy(D) =
SHy(D)Resist =
Total Resultant Load and Eccentricities: Nomenclature for Biaxial Eccentricity: Pass(y) =
SPz = -194.50 tf Frict(y) =
ex = 2.776 m (> L/6) Case 1: For 3 Corners in Bearing SHy(W) =
ey = 0.411 m (<= B/6) (Dist. x > L and Dist. y > B) FS(slid)y =
Dist. x
Overturning Check: Pmax z(D) (dn) =
SMrx = 737.50 tf.m Brg. Ly Pz(W) (dn) =
SMox = -80.00 tf.m SPz(dn) =
FS(ot)x = 9.219 (>= 1.5) Pz(up) =
SMry = 1105.00 tf.m SPz(up) =
SMoy = 450.00 tf.m Dist. y SPz(down) =
Line of zero
FS(ot)y = 2.456 (>= 1.5)
pressure Brg. Lx
SPz(uplift) =
FS(uplift) =
Sliding Check:
SHx(D)Resist = 0.00 tf
Pass(x) = -37.80 tf P3 =
Frict(x) = -65.00 tf Case 2: For 2 Corners in Bearing P4 =
FS(slid)x = 3.427 (>= 1.5) (Dist. x > L and Dist. y <= B) Brg. Lx =
SHy(D)Resist = 0.00 tf Dist. x Brg. Ly =
Pass(y) = -60.48 tf Pmax rg. Area =
Frict(y) = -65.00 tf Brg. Ly1
FS(slid)y = 12.548 (>= 1.5) P(max) =
Dist. y P(min) =
Uplift Check: Brg. Ly2 P3 =
SPz(down) = -187.50 tf P4 =
Line of zero
SPz(uplift) = 40.00 tf Brg. Lx =
pressure
FS(uplift) = 4.688 (>= 1.5) Brg. Ly =
% Brg. Area =

Bearing Length and % Bearing Area: Case 3: For 2 Corners in Bearing P(max) =
Dist. x = 17.497 m (Dist. x <= L and Dist. y > B) P(min) =
Dist. y = 44.895 m Dist. x P3 =
Brg. Lx = 13.600 m Brg. Lx2 Pmax P4 =
Brg. Ly = 3.842 m Brg. Lx =
%Brg. Area = 95.38 % Brg. Ly =
Biaxial Case = Case 1 6*ex/L + 6*ey/B = 1.288 % Brg. Area =

Gross Soil Bearing Corner Pressures: Dist. y heck Ecc.:

Line of zero
P1 = 2.179 tf/m² P3 =
pressure Brg. Lx1
P2 = 2.804 tf/m² P4 =
P3 = 0.240 tf/m² Brg. Lx =
P4 = 0.000 tf/m² Brg. Ly =
% Brg. Area =
Case 4: For 1 Corner in Bearing
P3=0.24 tf/m² P2=2.804 tf/m² (Dist. x <= L and Dist. y <= B) Check Ecc.:
Dist. x P3 =
B Brg. Lx Pmax P4 =
P4=0 tf/m² L P1=2.179 tf/m² Distance dx =
CORNER PRESSURES Distance dy =
Dist. y Brg. Lx =
Maximum Net Soil Pressure: Brg. Ly Brg. Ly =
Pmax(net) = Pmax(gross)-(D+T)*gs Line of zero pressure % Brg. Area =
Pmax(net) = 2.204 tf/m² Biaxial Case =

Brg. Lx =
Brg. Ly =
% Brg. Area =

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