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I Kanu

1.0 STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF FOUNDATIONS TO EUROCODES (EC7)

1.1 Introduction
Foundations are structural elements that transmit actions (loads) from the super structure (the part of a
structure above ground) to the soil upon which the structure stands.There are different types of foundations
for buildings and other structures used in practice. The type of foundation used for any building or structure
type depends on the geotechnical properties of the soil upon which the structure is to be built. In general,
all structures should be founded on firm stratum or firm soil; the preferred foundation stratum being solid
rock. However, in most practical situations, having a founding stratum as solid as rock is difficult. The
design and construction of foundations have to be adapted, therefore, to the conditions of the ground upon
which they would be built.
Foundations are generally classified as either SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS or DEEP FOUNDATIONS
depending upon the depth below ground to which the foundations are founded.
1.2 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
These are foundations tha are located, invariably, not too far from the surface of the natural ground. They
include the following fooundation types
i. Spread Footings ( These are: Isolated Pad foundations, Strap Footings and Combined footings)
ii. Continuous Footings (Footings under load bearing walls (e.g retaining walls) and footings under
closely spaced columns)
iii. Mat or Raft Footing (Recommended for soils with uneven geotechnical strength properties as well
as on marshy lands where the bearing capacity of the soil is low. Also used for cases in which the
column loads are very high).

Fig. 1: Examples of Spread Footings (Courtesy: Dr. Ben Zhang (Foundation Design to
EC7(CTR11101/CTR11501); SEBE Edingurgh Navier University).

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1.3 DEEP FOUNDATIONS

At some real life project sites, where firm strata close to the surface of the natural ground for bearing or
carrying the loads from the superstructure cannot be located, firmer stratum at relatively deeper depths
below the ground surface would have to be explored for constructing the relevant structural foundations.
There are cases also where the lithology of the project site may show expansive soils like clay (which heave
and swell) of considerable thickness and it may be necessary to take the foundation below this soil layer to
avoid problems of uneven settlement. The preferred founadtion type used in such situations is invariably
the Pile Foundation. Pile foundations transfer loads applied to them through two distinct modes as follows:
• End Bearing Resistance Mode (actions are transferred from the pile through its end at the stratum
upon which it is found.
• Skin Friction Resistance (resistance provided by the friction between the surface of the pile and
and the material of the surrounding substratum).
Because of the skin frictional resistance offered by piles, especially piles driven through cohesionless soils
(e.g sand), piles are used as part of the foundation elements of bridge piers, abutments and offshore rigs
mainly to resist the uplift actions of water. In general, for all weak strata necessitating the construction
of foundations to deeper depths, Pile foundations are unquestionable candidates.
In this work, we shall discuss the design of shallow foundations only.
2.0 DESIGN OF SHALLOW SPREAD FOUNDATIONS
2.1 General
In General, Eurocode 7 (EC7) stipulates three design approaches in the structural design verification for
strength of foundations of all types. These design approaches are as follows:
Design Aprroach 1: For this Design Approach, usually designated as DA-1, there are two combinations
of Actions to consider when designing a foundation, as follows:
Combination 1: A1 + M1 + R1 (Used for strength verification, i.e. provision of reinforcement)
Combination 2: A2 + M2 + R1 (Used for footing sizing)
Design Aprroach 2: A1 + M1 + R2
Design Aprroach 3: (A1 or A2) + M2 + R3
Note: A1 and A2 represent Actions on the foundation structure
R1, R2 and R3 represent the resistances of the bearing soil (Sliding, Bearing)
M1 and M2 represent the Geotechnical parameters of the soil.
Desigm Approach 1 is referred to as the Direct Method and it is the preferred method used in the UK.
Desigm Approach 2 is referred to as the indirect approach, the use of which requires experience backed
by laboratory testing.

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Desigm Approach 3 is a prescriptive method used in situations where the bearing capacity of the soil is
not uniquely dtermined by tests but, instead, a prescriptive value is assigned to the soil based on how
close the soil in question fits a standard description of soil types in the literature (see Table below).

In any design situation, only one of the above design approaches should be used. In this work, Design
Approach 1(adopted by the UK) will be used in the illustrative design examples.

The Tables below (culled from the documentation of EC7) shows the Partial Safety Factors, γ, applicable
to the respective Actions (A), Soil Resistances (R) and Geotechnical properties of the soils (M)
symbolized above.
Table 1: Partial Safety Factors, 𝜸, to be apllied to Actions or Effects of Actions

Table 2: Partial Safety Factors, 𝜸𝑹 , to be applied to Resistances of the bearing soil

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Table 3: Partial Safety Factors, 𝜸𝒎 , to be apllied to the Geotechnical Properties of the Soil

In the design of foundations, all the actions placed upon the bearing soil should be considered. These
actions include the following:
• The actions from the superstructure that are transmitted to the footing through a column (s).
• The self-weight of the footing
• The weight of the backfill
• Uplift on the foundation
• Weight of water on the foundation
The foundation element should be designed (sized and reinforced in accordance with EC7) such that the
load bearing capacity of the stratum (soil) carrying the foundation loads is not exceeded and the
foundation element itself is structurally adequate.
Classification of Structures in Geotechnical Design
For geotechnical design of structures, structures are classified into three broad categories as shown in
Table 4.
Table 4: Classification of Structures (Source: The concrete centre)

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2.2 Procedure for the Design of Spread Foundations

As stated earlier, isolated pad footings, continuous or strip footings all fall under the category of spread
foundations. The procedure for the design of these footing types is fairly simple. Footings can be
subjected to either pure non-eccentic loads from columns (Fig.1) or a combination of eccentric axial loads
and bending moments from columns (Fig.2). The stress distribution under the foundation for each of the
loading situations is different as depicted in Fig.1 and Fig.2. In the figures, the formulas for the stresses
under the foundation are derived for 1 m wide strip of foundation having a length L.

Fig. 1: Pad footing subjected to pure non-eccentric axial load, P

Fig. 2: Pad footing subjected to axial load, P and Bending Moment, M, with the respective soil pressure
distributions beneath the footing.
Fig.1 illustrates the simplest case of foundation loading which, although possible but is hardly likely to be
realised in practice due to the geometry of the supperstructure and constructional inaccuracies. We shall
however, commence our illustration of foundation design using this simple case.
Designing a foundation means providing adequate dimensions for the foundation and adeqaute
reinforcement for same to ensure that the foundation element does not fail in strength as well as ensuring
that the ground upon which it rests does not fail either by subsidence, shearing or lateral mobilisation. We
shall now show the procedures involved in the design of foundations by commencing with the case of the
simplest spread footing; the Pad Foundation.
2.2.1 Design of Pad Foundations to EC7
We start the illustration of the design of a Pad footing by considering the typical pad footing element shown
in Fig. 3 with the actions coming from the superstructure it supports indicated as Gk (permanent service
action) and Qk (Variable service action). As shown in Fig. 3, the dimensions of the pad footing are not
known. However, geotechnical studies have revealed that the ground bearing pressure for the location where
this footing would be constructed is 200 KN/m2 and that the top of the foundation would be located at 3 m
below the natural ground level. With this information, the pad founadtion can be readily designed by
following straightforward procedures as we shall show. Assume that the unit weight of concrete is 25
kN/m3, the strength of concrete and steel used in the design are 30 mPa and 400 mPa respectively.

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Fig.3: Section and Plan views of a typical Pad footing shown with service loads
To design our foundation, we will use DA-1 as indicated earlier.
In using this design approach, the service loads (unfactored loads) which incude the weight of the column,
together with the other geotechnical properties of the soil have to be combined in two different ways as
follows:
Combination 1: A1 + M1 +R1 ( Used for designing the foundation for Strength Ultimate Limit State)
In this combination, all Actions (A) on the foundation, Resistances (R) and Geotechnical parameters (M)
of the soil should be multiplied by the respective partial safety factors in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Combination 2: A2 + M2 +R1 ( Used for sizing the foundation)
Here again, all Actions (A) on the foundation, Resistances (R) and Geotechnical parameters (M) of the soil
should be multiplied by the respective partial safety factors in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Sizing of the Foundation
In using DA-1, we invariably commence our design with Load combination 2 to determine the plan area of
the footing. So let us start.
Let us, for simplicity, assume a square footing of sides B x B (instead of B x L as in Fig. 3)
The Actions on the bearing stratum (i.e. the ground) would be as follows:
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Permanent Actions
Action from superstructure, Gk = 750 kN
Reinforced concrete (RC) surcharge = 5 * B2 kN
Action due to Backfill (20 * 3) = 60 * B2 kN
Action due to weight of foundation slab (assume 10% of total service loads =0.1*(750+250)) = 100 kN
Total Permanent Actions = (850+65B2) kN
Variable Actions
Action from superstructure, Qk = 250 kN
Now when we take a look at Load combination 2 (A2 + M2 + R1), we note from Tables 1, 2 and 3 that
the partial safety factors to be applied to Actions (A2), Resistances (in this case bearing, R2) and
Geotechnical properties, M, are as follows
Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Permanent Actions (A2) = 1.0 = 𝜸𝑮
Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Variable Actions (A2) = 1.3 = 𝜸𝑸

Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Bearing Actions (R1) = 1.0 = 𝜸𝑅

Hence, the total action load,Vd, at the base of the foundations is
𝑉𝑑 = (850 + 65𝐵 2 ) ∗ 1 + 250 ∗ 1.3
Since the characteristic ground bearing pressure is given as 200 kN/m2, the total foundation load, 𝑉𝑑 ,
divided by the area of the foundation must not exceed this value divided by 𝜸𝑹 (=1 in this case)
𝑉𝑑 (850 + 65𝐵^2 ) ∗ 1 + 250 ∗ 1.3 200
= =
𝐵2 𝐵2 1
From which,

𝐵 = √8.7 = 2.95 𝑚
Hence, we can use a foundation of size 3 m x 3m.
In order that we get exactly the assumed weight of foundation of 100 KN, let the thickness of the foundation
be h, as indicated in Fig.3. Since the unit weight of concrete is 25 kN/m3, it follows that
ℎ ∗ 3 ∗ 3 ∗ 25 = 100
From which the thickness of our foundation becomes,
ℎ = 0.444𝑚

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We can therefore adopt a foundation thickness of 440 mm (Why didn’t we adopt the exact figure of 444
mm?)
We now move on to the next stage of designing the foundation for strength
Provison of Reinforcement for the Foundation and checking for shear at critical sections
To provide strength and check for the relevant shears at critical sections of the footing, we now employ
Load Combination1 (A1 + M1 +R1)
Provison of Reinforcement for the Foundation
Here, we will start by determining the Ultimate Limit State bearing pressure from the soil onto the base of
the footing using factored loads obtained by multiplying the applied characteristic loads by the partial safety
factors applicable to Load Combination 1 and dividing the resultant (sum) of these loads by the footing plan
area obtained in the previous section.
From the previous section, the characteristic values of the permanent and variable actions on the soil are:
Total Permanent Actions = (750+65B2+25*3*3*0.44) kN
Where B= 3 m (see Fig. 5).
Total permanent Action, Gktotal = 1434 kN
Action from superstructure, Qk = 250 kN
A close look at Load combinatination 1 (A1 + M1 + R1) will reveal from Tables 1, 2 and 3 that the partial
safety factors to be applied to Actions (A1), Resistances (in this case bearing, R1) and Geotechnical
properties, M1 are as follows
Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Permanent Actions (A1) = 1.35 = 𝜸𝑮
Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Variable Actions (A1) = 1.5 = 𝜸𝑸

Unfavourable Partial Safety Factor for Bearing Actions (R1) = 1.0 = 𝜸𝑅

The design Ultimate load on the bearing soil = 1.35*Gktotal + 1.5*Qk =1.35*1434+1.5*250 = 2310.9 kN
The ultimate bearing pressure, Q_Ultimate, on the base of the foundation = 2310.9/B2 = 2310.9/9
Q_Ultimate = 256.8 kN/m2.
This pressure can be visualised as the reaction of the ground on the base of the foundation with a tendency
to bend the foundation concave downwards about the column (see Fig.4). The foundation can thus be
envisaged as cantilevering over or about the column. The critical section of the foundation where the
bending moment will be maximum is therefore at a face of the column. For square columns, as in this case
(see shaded area of the base in Fig. 5), any of the two perpendicar faces of the column can be used to
calculate this moment since the results will be the same. For rectangular footings, moments would have to
be computed about each of the two perpendicular faces of the column. The computed moments are used to
provide reinforcement for the footing in the two perpendicular directions. For this purpose, the procedures

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used in the design of one-way slabs can be used by considering a strip of foundation 1 m wide as shown in
Fig. 5 and computing the bending moment at the face of the column as follows:

Fig. 4: Deformed shape of foundation under Ultimate bearing pressure

Fig.5: Plan of foundation showing critical section for computing Bending moment

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The total load on the 1 m wide strip of footing = Q_ultimate*1.325*1 = 256.8*1.325*1 = 340.3 kN/m.
The moment of this force about the face of the column = 340.3*1.325/2 =225.4 kNm/m = M
Now, we have previously determined the depth, h, of the footing as 440 mm.
Let us now assume that our footing would be reinforced with 20 mm bars and that the cover on these bars
would be 50 mm ( there is nothing wrong in making these assumptions!).
The effective depth, d, of the section of the foundation now becomes
20
𝑑 = 440 − 50 − − 10 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡) = 370 𝑚𝑚
2
We now compute the parameter , k, given by
𝑀
𝑘= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . 𝐸𝑞. 1
𝑏𝑑2 𝑓𝑐𝑘
Where,
b = width of the strip of foundation considered = 1000 mm
𝑓𝑐𝑘 = Charcteristic strength of the concrete used in the foundation = 30 mPa
M = bending moment = 225.4 kNm/m
Hence from Eq.1,
225.4 ∗ 106
𝑘= = 0.055
1000 ∗ 3702 ∗ 30
We now compute the parameter, 𝑘 ′ , to check whether compression reinforcement is required for the
foundation. If k < 𝑘 ′ , no compression reinforcement would be required, otherwise either compression
reinforcement is provided for the footing or the thickness is increased.
𝑘 ′ = 0.60𝛿 − 0.18𝛿 2 − 0.21 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝛿 ≤ 1 ………………………………………..Eq.2
𝛿 = 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑
Where no moment redistribution occurs as in our case, 𝛿 = 1
Hence from Eq. 2,
𝑘 ′ = 0.60 ∗ 1 − 0.18 ∗ 12 − 0.21 = 0.21
Since 𝑘 (= 0.055) < 𝑘 ′ (= 0.21), no compression reinforcement is required.
The reinforcement lever arm is computed next as follows:
𝑑
𝑧= [1 + √1 − 3.53𝑘] ≤ 0.95𝑑
2

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370
𝑧= [1 + √1 − 3.53 ∗ 0.055] = 351.1 ≤ 0.95 ∗ 370(= 351.5)
2
Lever arm, 𝑧 = 351.1 𝑚𝑚
The required reinforcement is obtained from
𝑀 𝑓𝑦𝑘
𝐴𝑠 = , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
𝑓𝑦𝑑 𝑧 1.15
225.4
𝐴𝑠 = ∗ 106 = 1476.6 𝑚𝑚2/𝑚
500
∗ 351.1
1.15
The minimum required reinforcement is given by
0.26𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑚 𝑏𝑡 ∗ 𝑑 0.26 ∗ 2.9 ∗ 1000 ∗ 370
𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 557.96 𝑚𝑚2/𝑚
𝑓𝑦𝑘 500

𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑚 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2.9 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 30 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 ( refer to Table in the Appendix)
The maximum required reinforcement is given by
𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.04 ∗ 𝐴𝑐 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝑐 = 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 1𝑚 − 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.04 ∗ 𝑏 ∗ ℎ = 0.04 ∗ 1000 ∗ 440 = 17600 𝑚𝑚2/𝑚

Since our computed reinforcement areaa of 1476.6 mm2/m falls within the limits of the minimum and
maximum allowed reiforcement, we adopt this area to work out the bar szie and spacing required/
From Tables (see Appendix) 20 mm diameter bars @ 200 mm spacing centres can be used
(𝐴𝑠 (𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑) = 1570𝑚𝑚2/𝑚)
Thus the base can be reinforced in the two perpendicular directions at the bottom with 20 mm bars spaced
at 200 mm.
Next, we check for shear of the footing at the critical sections defined in EC7.
Checking for Column Face Shear
Here, the strength of the foundation to resist the applied ultimate shear stress along the perimeter of the
column is checked to ensure that it does not exceed the concrete shear capacity at this section.
The expressions for determining these shear stresses are given in Eq. 3 and Eq. 4 below.
𝛽𝑉𝐸𝐷,𝑟𝑒𝑑
𝑣𝐸𝐷 = ≤ 𝑣𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ………………………………………………………………..Eq. 3
𝑢0 𝑑

Where,
𝑣𝐸𝐷 = Applied shear stress on the periphery (faces) of the column
𝛽 = factor applicable only to eccentrically loaded foundations = 1 (for purely axially loaded fooundations)

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𝑉𝐸𝐷,𝑟𝑒𝑑 = Design applied action on footing from super structure through column

𝑢0 = Full perimeter of section of column for interior columns = 2 ∗ (𝐶𝐿 + 𝐶𝑆 )

𝑢0 = 3𝑑 + 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ≤ 2 ∗ 𝐶𝐿 + 𝐶𝑠 for columns at edges of buildings
𝑢0 = 3𝑑 ≤ 𝐶𝐿 + 𝐶𝑠 for columns at corners of buildings
𝑑 = Effective depth of footing
𝐶𝐿 = Longer side of column
𝐶𝑆 = Shorter side of column
𝑉𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Maximum design shearing resistance/capacity of the concrete footing
Equation 3 is the exact form of Eq. 6.4.7 of EC2-1-1 for applied column face shear.
The expression for 𝑉𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 from EC2-1-1 is :

𝑉𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.5 ∗ 𝜈 ∗ 𝑓𝐶𝐷 ………………………………………………………………………..…Eq.4

Where
𝐶𝑘 𝑓
𝜈 = Shear reduction factor = 0.6(1 − 250 ) ………………………………………………………..Eq. 5
𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑓𝑐𝑘
𝑓𝐶𝐷 = 𝛼𝑐𝑐 = 𝛼𝑐𝑐 = 0.67𝛼𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑐𝑘 ……………………………………………………………..Eq. 6
𝛾𝑐 1.5

Substituting Eq. 5 and Eq. 6 into Eq. 4 with 𝛼𝑐𝑐 = 0.85 gives
𝐶𝑘 𝑓
𝑉𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.17𝑓𝐶𝑘 (1 − 250 ) …………………………………………………………………….Eq. 7

Table 1 shows the values of 𝑉𝑅𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 for different values of 𝑓𝑐𝑘

Maximum Design Punching Shear Allowed for column face shear for
Table 1
𝜶𝒄𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓

fck 20 25 28 30 32 35 40 45 50

VRdc 3.13 3.83 4.23 4.49 4.74 5.12 5.71 6.27 6.80

Checking for Beam/Transverse Shear

Beam or Transverse shear of foundation is checked or verified at a distance, d (effective depth of base),
from the face of the column (see Fig. 6). Th force trying to shear the foundation at this distance, d, is the
force on the shaded part of the base in Fig. 6 due to the ultimate upward reaction of the ground.

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Fig.6: Plan of foundation showing critical section for computing Transverse Shear
Let us denote this upward ultimate ground force as 𝑉𝐸𝑑 = Shearing force
Then, the transverse shearing stress, ѵ𝐸𝑑 , at the distance, d, from the column face is given by
𝑉
ѵ𝐸𝑑 = 𝑏 𝑥𝐸𝑑𝑑 < ѵ𝑅𝑑,𝑐 ………………………………………………………….. ………..Eq. 8

Where,
b = breadth of foundation
d= effective depth of foundation
ѵ𝐸𝑑 = applied shaering stress due to ultimate ground reaction
ѵ𝑅𝑑,𝑐 = concrete shear capacity of foundation

Table 2 gives values of ѵ𝑅𝑑,𝑐 for concrete strength, 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 30 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Now let us discuss the parameters in Table 2.

𝜌𝑙 = √(𝜌𝑙𝑦 + 𝜌𝑙𝑧 ) ≤ 0.02 ….…………………………………………………………………,,….Eq.9

𝜌𝑙 = % 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

The subscripts, y and z, indicate the two perpendicular directions of reinforcement as shown in Fig. 3
𝐴𝑠𝑦 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 1000 𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝜌𝑙𝑦 = = 𝑥100. . Eq. 10
𝑏𝑑 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 1000 𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝐴𝑠𝑧 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑧 𝑓𝑜𝑟 1000 𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝜌𝑙𝑧 = = 𝑥100. . Eq. 11
𝑏𝑑 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑧 𝑓𝑜𝑟 1000 𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝑏 = 1000 𝑚𝑚 = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 1𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝
𝑑 = 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
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So for any foundation to be adequate in transverse shear, we have to ensure that the value of ѵ𝑬𝒅 as
obtained from Eq. 8 is less than the value of ѵ𝑹𝒅,𝒄 as obtained from Table 2 for concrete strength of 𝒇𝒄𝒌 =
𝟑𝟎 𝑴𝑷𝒂
Example
From the problem illustrated in Fig. 3, we computed the ultimate ground bearing pressure on the base of
the foundation as:
Q_Ultimate = 256.8 kN/m2.
Hence, the ultimate shear force, 𝑉𝐸𝑑 , on the shaded part of the foundation of Fig. 6 is given by:

𝑉𝐸𝑑 , = 𝑄𝑈𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑥 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

(3−𝑐𝑜𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ) (3−0,35)
𝑉𝐸𝑑 , = 𝑄𝑈𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑥 ( − 𝑑) 𝑥 𝑏 = 256.8 x10−3 x ( − 0.37) 𝑥 3000 N
2 2

Eq. 8 then becomes

(3000−350)
256.8 x10−3 x ( −370)𝑥 3000
2
ѵ𝐸𝑑 = = 0.66 N/mm2
3000 𝑥 370

From the problem in Fig. 3, the area of reinfrocement provided for the foundation in question in the y-
direction is 1570 𝑚𝑚2/𝑚.
Since the foundation is square, the area of reinforcement in the other direction, z, is also 1570 𝑚𝑚2/𝑚.
Hence, substituting equations 10 and 11 into Eq.9, we get

1570 1570
𝜌𝑙 = √(𝜌𝑙𝑦 + 𝜌𝑙𝑧 ) = √(1000𝑥370 𝑥100 + 1000𝑥370 𝑥100) = 0.92 %

Entering Table 2, with 𝜌𝑙 = 0.92% and effective depth, 𝑑 = 370 𝑚𝑚, it can be seen that the foundation is
indaequate with respect to transverse shear since the shear capacity obtained from the table is less than the
computed applied shear stress, ѵ𝐸𝑑 = 0.66 N/mm2.

In order to satisy the transverse shear requirement, we either increase the thickness of the base or
increase the area of longitudinal reinforcement.

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Checking for Punching Shear

Punching shear stress is checked on a critical perimeter defined within the foundation as in dicated in Fig.7.
Note that, d, is the effective depth of the foundation element and that the dimensions of the column and
footing are obtained from section 2.21.

Fig.7: Plan of foundation showing critical section for computing Punching Shear
The punching shear on the critical perimeter is given by Eq. 12 as
𝛽𝑉𝐸𝐷
𝑣𝐸𝐷 = < 𝑣𝑅𝐷,𝑐 ………………………………………………………………..Eq. 12
𝑢1 𝑑

Where,
𝑣𝐸𝐷 = Applied shear stress on the critical perimeter
𝛽 = factor applicable only to eccentrically loaded foundations = 1 (for purely axially loaded fooundations)
𝑉𝐸𝐷 = Applied column ultimate load -upward ultimate force on area within critical perimeter
𝑣𝑅𝑑,𝑐 = concrete shear capacity of foundation

𝑢1 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝑑 = 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
From Fig.7, the following can be established:
Length of critical perimeter = 𝑢1 = 4 𝑥 0.35 + 𝝅 𝑥 2𝑑
Area inside critical perimeter = 0.35 𝑥 0.35 + 2𝑑 𝑥 0.35 + 𝝅 𝑥 (2𝑑)2
So for any foundation to be adequate in punching shear, we have to ensure that the value of ѵ𝑬𝒅 as
obtained from Eq. 12 is less than the value of ѵ𝑹𝒅,𝒄 as obtained from Table 2 for concrete strength of
𝒇𝒄𝒌 = 𝟑𝟎 𝑴𝑷𝒂

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Table 2: Values of 𝑉𝑅𝑑,𝑐 for concrete strength, 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 30 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Source: How to design Concrete structures to EUROCODES

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