COMBINED FOOTINGS

Definition:

A footing supporting two or more columns in a single row is called as a combined footing. This
is used:

1. For a boundary column to reduce differential settlement

2. For weak soils having high compressibility and

3. Small spacing of columns carrying heavy loads

Design Philosophy:

Design the footing so that the centre of gravity (c.g.) of the footing coincides with the line of
reaction of the resultant force. This will help in generating a uniform pressure underneath the
common pad, reduce the tendency of overturning and differential settlement.

Notes:

1. For a case where exterior column loading is greater than interior; a trapezoidal shape will be
needed.

2. When the interior column is heavily loaded, then a rectangular footing is required.

Example:

Design a combined footing of width B = 5 ft and of footing of 3 ft below EGL

Q1 = 300 k Q2 = 150 k

B A
11'
14"x14"
20"x20"

3'

Q1 and Q 2 are net loads, qa = 4 ksf c = 150 pcf

Solution:

Safe net bearing capacity, qsn = 4000  3150 = 3550 psf = 3.550 ksf

1
 Qn 450
Area of footing, A =   126.76 ft 2
q sn 3.550

For B = 5 ft L = 126.76/5 = 25.352 ft use L = 25.4 ft.

Locate the position of the resultant force R by taking moment about column B. Let x be the
distance between column B and the resultant force.

450  x = 150 (11 + 10/12+7/12)  x = 4.14 ft use 4.10 ft

300 k 150 k

B A
12.4'
xb xa

Floor level

Filling
Old GL

8.6' 4.1' 8.3' 4.4'

x L 25.4
xb   4.1   4.1  8.6'
2 2
5' + L 25.4
c.g. x a   8.3   8.3  4.4'
2 2

Example:

Redo the previous example if outer edge of column A is 5 inch from the property line.

Solution:

L  7"5"  8.3'
  8.3    9.3' 5.2' 4.1'
7"5"
2  12 
Property line

 L = 18.6 ft
6.8' +
c.g./c.p.
126.76 300 k 150 k
and B=  6.8 ft
18.6
18.6'

c.p. : Centreof pressure

2
 STRAP FOOTINGS

A strap footing is used to connect an eccentrically loaded column footing to an interior column.
The strap is used to transmit the moment caused from eccentricity to the interior column footing
so that a uniform soil pressure is computed beneath both footings. The strap serves the same
purpose as the interior portion of a combined footing but is much narrower to save materials.

A strap footing is used in lieu of a combined footing or trapezoid footing if

1. the distance between columns is large

2. allowable soil pressure is relatively large.

There are three basic design considerations for strap footings:

1. Strap must be rigid, i.e. Istrap/Ifooting  2. This rigidity is necessary to control rotation of the
exterior column

2. Footings should be proportioned for approximately equal soil pressure and approximately
equal widths to reduce differential settlement.

3. Strap is a pure flexural member to withstand bending moments and shear stresses. For this
purpose strap should be out of contact with underneath soil so that no soil reactions are
developed. This purpose can also achieved by loosening several inches of the underlying soil
prior to the placement of the concrete.

A strap footing should be considered as one of the ‘last resort’ due to extra labour and forming
costs. The strap may have a number of configurations; however, that shown in figure ‘a’ should
produce the greatest rigidity with the width at least equal to the smallest column width. If the
depth is restricted, it may be necessary to increase the strap width to obtain the necessary
rigidity. The strap should be securely attached to the column and footing by dowels so that the
system acts as a unit.

3
 Q1 Q2

1 2
S

STRAP

x e R1 S' R2
L1/2
Alternate for large
moment gradient from
column 1 to 2.

STRAP

(a)

Strap
Strap

(b)
(c)

Common arrangements of strap

Strap footings

(d)

Design equations:
4
Taking moment about column 2
S
R1  Q1 1
S
R2 = (Q1 + Q2) – R1 2
For both footings Ri = (BL) qa 3
Also L1/2 = e + x
The equations 1 to 3 are used to proportion the footing dimensions. The length dimension of the
eccentrically loaded footing is dependent upon the designer’s arbitrarily selected value of ‘e’ so
that a unique solution is not likely.
Example:
Proportion a strap footing for the column spacing and loading shown using the USD method.
The allowable soil pressure is 120 kPa. Both columns are 400 mm square.

Q1 D = 320 kN Q2 D = 500 kN
L = 260 kN L = 400 kN

1 2
6.2 m

STRAP

x e R1 S' R2

L 1/2
Solution:
Qu1 = 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2320 + 1.6260 = 800 kN
Qu2 = 1.2500 + 1.6400 = 1240 kN
Qu = 2,040 kN
Qu 2040
 qult  qa   120  165.4 kPa
Q 1480
Trial # 1
Let e = 1.2 m L1 = 2(e + x) = 2(1.2 + 0.2) = 2.8 m and S = 6.2 – 1.2 = 5.0 m
Taking moment about column 2 = 0
6.2  800
5R1 - 8006.2 = 0  R1   992 kN
5
R2 = (Qu1 + Qu2) – R1 = 2040 – 992 = 1048 kN
Footing dimensions:
5
 R1 992
For Column 1 B1    2.14 m
L1  q ult 2.8  165.4

R2 1048
For Column 2 B 2  L2    2.52 m
qult 165.4
Trial # 2
Let e = 1.1 m L1 = 2(e + x) = 2(1.1 + 0.2) = 2.6 m and S = 6.2 – 1.1 = 5.1 m
6.2  800
 R1   972.5 kN and R2 = 2040 – 972.5 = 1067.5 kN
5. 1
Footing dimensions:
R1 972.5
For Column 1 B1    2.26 m
L1  q ult 2.6  165.4

1067.5
For Column 2 B 2  L2   2.54 m
165.4
Trial # 3
Let e = 1.0 m L1 = 2(e + x) = 2(1.0 + 0.2) = 2.4 m and S = 6.2 – 1.0 = 5.2 m
6.2  800
 R1   953.8 kN and R2 = 2040 – 953.8 = 1086.2 kN
5. 2
Footing dimensions:
R1 953.8
For Column 1 B1    2.40 m
L1  q ult 2.4  165.4

1086.2
For Column 2 B 2  L2   2.56 m
165.4
Summary:

Trial # e (m) Column # B (m) L (m)

Remarks
1 1.2 1 2.14 2.8
2 2.52 2.52
2 1.1 1 2.26 2.6
2 2.54 2.54
3 1.0 1 2.40 2.40 OK as difference in B is minimum
2 2.56 2.56