Combined Foundations –

➢ Combined footing is constructed when

two or more columns are close enough
and their isolated footings overlap each
other and soil bearing capacity is lower.
➢ In the design of footings, the footing is
assumed to be rigid on homogeneous
soil. The location of centre of gravity of
column loads and the centroid of the
footing should coincide.
➢ It is a combination of two or more
isolated footings, but their structural
design differs.
➢ Generally, they are constructed of
reinforced concrete. In the design of
footings, the footing assumes to rigid
and resting on homogeneous soil.
When the location of the center of
gravity of column loads and the
centroid of the footing should coincide.
The maximum bending moment takes as the design value for the reinforced concrete footing and should be
checked for maximum hear and bond, etc.
➢ The maximum bending moment is taken as the design value for the reinforced concrete footing and should be
checked for maximum shear and bound, etc.
➢ The geometric proportions and shape are so fixed that the centroid of the footing area coincides with the resultant
of the column loads. This results in uniform pressure below the entire area of footing.

• Combined footings are provided only when it is absolutely necessary, as

➢ When two columns are close together and separate isolated footings would overlap, in such case, it is better to
provide a combined footing than isolated footing.
➢ Where soil bearing capacity is low, causing overlap of adjacent isolated footings
➢ It is required to provide combined footing in the structure, when the resultant loading is close enough to the column
of the building.
➢ Proximity of building line or existing building or sewer, adjacent to a building column.

• Some points to be considered while designing combined foundations,

➢ In the primary design of footings or rafts, it is generally assumed that the contact pressure distribution is planar,
whatever the type of model used in the analysis of the footing.
➢ To achieve a desirable uniform contact stress distribution beneath the footing it is necessary to arrange the centre
of area of the footing directly beneath the centre of gravity of the external loads.
➢ This may lead to irregular shaped footing. If equal column loads are symmetrically disposed about the centre of the
footing, the contact pressure distribution will be uniform.
➢ In order to achieve a theoretically uniform contact pressure distribution, the footing can be extended so that the
centre of area of the footing coincides with the centre of gravity of the external loads.

In the primary design of footings , it is generally assumed that the contact pressure distribution is planar, whatever the type of
model used in the analysis of the footing. Therefore, to achieve a desirable uniform contact stress distribution beneath the footing
it is necessary to arrange the center of area of the footing directly beneath the center of gravity of the external loads. This may
lead to irregular-shaped footing. If equal column loads are symmetrically disposed about the center of the footing, the contact
pressure distribution will be uniform. In order to achieve a theoretically uniform contact pressure distribution, the footing can be
extended so that the center of area of the footing coincides with the center of gravity of the external loads. This is easy to be done
by rectangular footing.
• Types of Combined Footing
Type Information Graphics
Rectangular ➢ Rectangular footing is provided when one of the
Combined projections of the footing is restricted or the
Footing width of the footing is restricted.
➢ Longitudinally, the footing acts as an upward
loaded beam spanning between columns and
cantilevering beyond.
➢ Using statics, the shear force and bending
moment diagrams in the longitudinal direction
are drawn.
➢ Moment is checked at the faces of the column.
Shear force is critical at distance d from the faces
of columns or at the point of contra flexure.
➢ Two-way shear is checked under the heavier
column.
➢ The footing is also subjected to transverse
bending and this bending is spread over a
transverse strip near the column.

Trapezoidal ➢ A special case of footings is the trapezoidal

Combined footing
Footing ➢ It is provided when which may be used to carry
two columns of unequal loads when distance
outside the column of the heaviest load is
limited. As a result, both the projections of
footing beyond the faces of the columns will be
restricted.
➢ using a rectangular footing may lead to the
resultant of loads cause it to fall at the middle
length of the footing.
➢ To overcome this difficulty, a trapezoidal footing
is used in such a way that the center of gravity
of the footing lies under the resultant of the
loads.
➢ Correspondingly, the distribution of contact
pressure will be uniform.
T- T-shaped is provided when the column load of
shaped combi the property line is much more than the other.
ned footing. As a result, both projections of
the footing beyond the faces of the columns will
be restricted. They are provided under any
condition of loading.

Strap footing ➢ A strap footing also known as cantilever footing,

is a special case of combined foundation in which
two separate footings are tied together by a beam
called tie beam or strap beam so that they behave
as one unit and hence acts as a connecting beam.
➢ All individual footings are so designed that their
combined line of action passes through the
resultant of the total load.
➢ It is used to help distribute the weight of either
heavily or eccentrically loaded column footings to
adjacent footings.
➢ The strap beam is reinforced with prime
reinforcement at top among the columns and at
bottom under the interior footing.
➢ The strap, assumed to be infinitely stiff, serves to
transfer the column loads on to the soil with equal
and uniform soil pressure under both footings.
➢ For construction simplicity, it is common practice
that the bottom surfaces of the exterior footing, the
strap beam, and the interior footing be at the same
elevation, but the thickness of each element may be
different, depending on the strength requirements.
➢ Advantages –
• More economical than a combined footing
when the allowable soil pressure is
relatively high and distance between the
columns is large.
➢ Disadvantages -
• The common disadvantage in the strap
footings are that the bearing wall will not
be provided by the strap footing and the
strap uses ridge type beam to transfer the
moment between the footings.
➢ Cantilever Action –
• In most of the structures, the elements of
buildings are supported at both ends for
supporting the applied load. However, in
some cases an overhanging structure is
needed like a sunshade or a plinth
protection slab away from the structure.
• In such cases a cantilever structural
element i.e. a beam or a plate is constructed
 that is anchored only at one end. In
cantilever structures the applied load is
transferred to the single ended bracing by
converting it into bending moment and
shear stress.
The design of the element is thus focused on
resisting the bending moments and shear
stresses.

➢ Strapped footing can be used where -

• the distance between the columns is so
great that a combined trapezoidal footing
becomes quite narrow, with high bending
moments, each column is provided with its
independent footings and a beam is used
to connect the two footings.
• When two structures are adjacent to each
other due to limited space i.e. the outer
walls are touching each other and having a
limited space for an isolated footing.
• This restriction can also arise in cases when
a utility line or some sewerage line is
passing the area under construction and
the relocation of such service is impossible.
The situation is explained in the figure A.
➢ What if the Strap Beam is not provided?
• In a simple isolated footing, the center of
gravity for the superimposed loads and
that of the footing overlaps and is in one
line.
• But in the case of cantilevered footings
one column is supporting the
superimposed load by cantilever action
thus it is not possible and thus strap beam
is provided.
• The strap beam avoids the overturning
effect and thus if the strap beam is not
provided the foundation and in turn the
structure will overturn.
• Due to the eccentricity in the column there
are huge moments created at the base of
the column which causes overturning
effect and to overcome these overturning
moments a restoring moment/stabilizing
moment is required to be produced, mostly
by the self-weight of footing and
overburden soil over the footing.
• Since the cantilever foundation is
connected with a strap beam with another
footing the moments are resisted by a
combined effect of the self-weight of
columns, footing and overburden soil
pressure from both footings.
• If at all you are said to not use strap beam,
the plan dimensions and thickness of the
footing has to be huge, which economically
is bad.
Raft Footing ➢ Raft foundations are formed by reinforced
concrete slabs of uniform thickness (typically
150 mm to 300 mm) that cover a wide area,
often the entire footprint of a building.
➢ They spread the load imposed by a number
of columns or walls over the area of foundation, and
can be considered to ‘float’ on the ground as
a raft floats on water.
➢ Uses -
• Floor areas are small and structural loadings
are low, such as in one or two-storey
domestic construction.
• A basement is required.
• Ground conditions are poor and strip or pad
foundations would require significant
excavation, for example on soft clay, alluvial
deposits, compressible fill, and so on.
• Settlement, or differential settlement is
likely.
• Where it may be impractical to create
individual strip or pad foundations for a
large number of individual loads. In very
general terms, if strip or pad foundations
would cover 50% or more of the floor area,
then a raft may be more appropriate.
➢ Raft foundations can be fast and inexpensive
to construct, as they tend not to require deep
excavations compared to strip or pad foundations
and they may use less material as they combine
the foundation with the ground slab.
➢ However, they tend to be less effective where
structural loads are focussed on in a few
concentrated areas, and they can be prone to
erosion at their edges.
Construction of Mat or Raft Foundations
• Remove dirt and excavate soil to a uniform and
flat level.
• The foundation bed is then compacted by
ramming.
• Then, a waterproof plastic sheet is laid over the
earth.
• After that, pour around 7cm layer of plain cement
concrete to create a perfectly flat and level base for
the foundation.
• Lay reinforcement on spacers over the foundation
bed. Reinforcements are provided in both directions
in the form of steel
mesh. Two meshes are reinforced at the top and
bottom of the foundation to balance upward and
downward bending forces.
• After all the steel has been put in place, concrete
is poured to the desired thickness, which is usually
in the range of 200mm to 300mm thick for small
buildings: this can be much thicker if heavy loads are
to be carried. A minimum rebar cover of 50mm
should be maintained.
• Finally, a suitable curing regime should be used to
make sure that concrete achieves the designated
compression strength.
Eccentric footing
➢ In some instances, columns lie eccentric to the center of the footing. Footings that are not concentrically loaded
are known as “Eccentric Footings”.
➢ In addition, when footings are subjected to an axial load and bending moment or lateral force, the footing will
experience unbalanced stress distributions along the base of the footing.
➢ This can also be achieved with axial load acting at an eccentricity from the centroid of the footing.
➢ To handle the moment and for the footing to act as a double cantilever footing, eccentric footing requires a strap
beam and if the strap beam is not provided than due to the eccentricity of the column the footing cannot handle
the moment.
➢ The foundation may be subjected to eccentric load under the following circumstances; (a) When a wall or column
is situated at the property line, its foundation cannot be extended beyond the property line thus resulting eccentric
load on the foundation (b) Cantilever balconies, brackets, etc. attached to the walls or columns bending moment
in them and thus cause eccentric loading on the foundation eccentric loads cause uneven distribution of pressure
on the soil below the foundation. It consists of two isolated footings connected with a structural strap or a lever.
➢ The eccentric footing is a spread or wall footing that must resist a moment in addition to the axial column load and
it has the shape of the shoe. A spread or wall footing also must resist a moment in addition to the axial column
load.
• Basic Concept -
➢ Normally, the footing is so designed and proportioned that the C.G. of the superimposed load coincides with the
C.G. of the base area, so that the footing is subjected to concentric loading, resulting in uniform bearing pressure.
➢ However, in some cases, it may not be possible to do so, for example, if the wall (or column) under construction is
near some other property, it will not be possible to spread the footing to both the sides of the wall or column.
➢ The eccentric footing is designed in such a way that the C.G (center of gravity) of the superimposed load coincides
with the C.G of the base area so, resulting in uniform bearing pressure this footing is subjected to concentric loading.
Eccentric footing consists of two isolated footings connected with a structural strap and as a one unit strap connects
the footing.
➢ The strap behaves like a connecting beam and when the allowable soil pressure is relatively high and distance
between the columns is large then an eccentric footing is more economical than a combined footing.
➢ An eccentric footing is more economical than a combined footing when the allowable soil pressure is relatively high
and distance between the columns is large.
➢ Eccentric footing requires more depth and heavy steel and this type of footing are also known as shoe footing.
➢ The eccentric footing is mostly used when space is very less. A strap beam in footing equal to the length of footing.
➢ It is better to place a column at the edge of the footing for a multi-story building

• Area of Use -
➢ This footing has to be done in cases where neighbour’s construction exists and it is not possible to adopt spread
footings.
➢ To the property line, the eccentric footing is mostly used, and to avoid tilting of the footing in a multi-story building
it needs to connect with another footing such as strap beam or combine footing.
➢ When the allowable soil pressure is relatively high and the distance between the columns is large then an eccentric
footing is more economical than a combined footing. If eccentricity is small, distribution of the soil will is varying,
but it will remain compressive.
➢ In this case, it should be ensured that the maximum intensity of pressure should not be more than the safe bearing
capacity of soil.
➢ If eccentricity of the load is quite large, it is just possible that wall or column may; even overturn.

• Offsetting the footing:

➢ In the case of the boundary wall, footing is provided with offset on the inside of the wall only, whereas the outer
face is maintained flush with the boundary line, right up to the bottom of the foundation. The line of action of load
will be away from the center’ of the footing.
➢ The pressure distribution in this case will be such that maximum pressure intensity will be at the outer face of the
footing and minimum at the inner face b of the footing.
➢ Masonry structure are never allowed to develop tension and as such, the width of footing is so proportioned that
the C.G. of the load remains within middle of the base of the wall footing so that no tension is developed anywhere
 in the foundation. It is also seen by side that intensity of pressure at point a does not exceed the safe permissible
value of the soil.
➢ The offsetting method described above is applicable only in the case of hard soils. This method is not suitable when
foundation soil is soft and load to be transmitted is heavy as intensity of maximum pressure developed below the
foundation will be exceeded, the safe bearing capacity of the soft underlying soil.
➢ Under such circumstances strap beam footing may be adopted. In this case, load on the outer column situated at
boundary line is balanced by the load on the inner column through a cantilever beam acting about a fulcrum.
➢ This type of footing can be construction in r.c.c. or steel grillage. If interior column cannot be provided, a heavy
concrete block may be constructed to necessary leverage to support the load on the outer wall.
Area of Use: Used where the inner columns are placed directly onto a base foundation. These columns are usually eccentric on
the inner base a tendency to rotate. Centre of gravity has to coincide so that the pressure on the foundation is uniform.

Type Information Graphics

Balanced Base ➢ A balanced footing which is also called as
Foundation. strap footing consists of two separate
footings connected by a strap beam.
➢ Balanced footing is required where one of
the footings has limited space for bearing, or
if there is any restriction over the transfer of
pressure from the footing to the ground.
➢ This case may arise where there is difference
in soil bearing capacity, or loose soil beneath
one of the footing.
➢ The loads in a balanced footing are
transferred from one footing to the other by
means of cantilever footing.
➢ Balanced footing is different from a
combined footing in the sense that a
combined footing has a single footing and a
balanced footing has two separate footings
which are connected by a strap beam.
➢ The strap beam transfers load from external
footing to the main footing by means of
cantilever action.
➢ DESIGN OF BALANCED FOOTING:
• They are designed by balancing loads on
the footings through addition of dead
loads on the internal column.
• In case when the fulcrum is near the
internal column, the internal footing
becomes heavy.
• The strap beam connecting the two
footings are designed based bending
moments due to external and internal
column loads as a cantilever in case of
cantilever footings.
• In both the cases, a beam is used. In one
case, a short fulcrum positioned near to
the existing structure and a beam is
used to balance cantilevers beyond the
beam base. In the other case, a
balancing beam is used to balance two
bases.
➢ Balanced footing is needed anywhere the
unit of the footing has inadequate space for
supporting, or if there is any limit over the
 shift of pressure from the foundation to the
earth. This instance may occur where there is
dissimilarity in soil enduring potential, or
detached soil under one of the foundation.
The load in an even handed footing is shifted
from one base to the other by modes of
cantilever movement
Cantilevered ➢ Strap footing consists of two or more
individual footings connected by a beam
called a strap.
➢ It is also sometimes called a cantilever
footing. Pump handle foundation.
➢ This type of footing may be used where the
distance between the column is so great that
a combined trapezoidal footing becomes
quite narrow with high bending moments.
➢ The strap beam does not remain in contact
with the soil, so a strap does not transfer any
pressure to the soil.
➢ However, because the strap is infinitely stiff,
Hence, it serves to transfer column load on
the soil with equal and uniform soil pressure
under both footings.
➢ Design of Cantilever footing -
• The cantilever footings designed by
balancing the loads on the footings
through. The addition of the dead load
on the internal column. In case when the
fulcrum is near the internal column, the
internal footing may very heavy.
• The strap beam connects the two
footings design base bending moments
due to external and internal column
loads and as a cantilever in case of
cantilever footings.
➢ Usage
• When the foundation, not sufficient
area to transfer the loads safely to the
round. Such as ain case of footing build
on the property line.
• It also useful when the soil supporting
the foundation does not have enough
bearing capacity to transfer the load
safely and the area of the footing cannot
be increased beyond the limit.
• When the new structure built near the
existing building or structure. And the
existing building cannot support the
loads from the new structure. Then a
new column and footing have to provide
her the existing structure. But there will
limit space or footing.