Best Practice: Spread Footings Design

Best Practice
SABP-002 31 August, 2002

Spread Footings Design
Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures
Spread Footings Design
Developed by: Hisham Abu-Adas

Developed: July, 2002
Civil Engineering Unit/M&CED
Consulting Services Department
Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: 1 September, 2007

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 44
Primary contact: Abu-Adas, Hisham on phone 874-6908
Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures SABP-002
Issue Date: 31August, 2002
Net Planned Update: 1 September, 2007 Spread Footings Design
SPREAD FOOTINGS DESIGN
Table of Contents
Page
1 Introduction.............................................................................................. 4
1.1 Purpose............................................................................................. 4
1.2 Scope................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Disclaimer........................................................................................ 4
1.4 Conflicts with Mandatory Standards............................................ 4
2 References.................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Industry Codes and Standards....................................................... 5
2.2 Saudi Aramco Best Practices.......................................................... 5
2.3 Saudi Aramco Standards................................................................ 5
3 General...................................................................................................... 6
4 Loadings..................................................................................................... 6
5 Footing Design.......................................................................................... 7
5.1 Sizing................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Reinforced Concrete Footing Design........................................... 12
6 Pedestal Design........................................................................................ 15
7 Anchor Bolts............................................................................................ 17
8 Procedure for Footing Design................................................................ 17
Page 2 of 44
Issue Date: 31 August, 2002
Next Planned Update: 1 September, 2007 Spread Footings Design
List of Figures
1 Uniaxial Loading
2 Biaxial Loading
3 Tributary Area for Wide Beam & Two-Way Action Shear
4 Shear Strength of Concrete in Footing
5 Distribution of Flexural Reinforcement
Attachments:
Attachment 1: List of Forms....................................................................... 20
1 Design Input – Uniaxial Loading
2 Sample Input Data – Uniaxial Loading
3 Design Input – Biaxial Loading
Attachment 1a: Soil Pressure for Biaxial Footings................................... 23
Attachment 2:................................................................................................ 24
Spread Footing Design – Example 1 (Manual Calculations)
Attachment 3:................................................................................................ 30
Spread Footing Design – Example 1 (In-House Developed Spreadsheet)
Attachment 4:................................................................................................ 32
Attachment 5:................................................................................................ 35
Spread Footing Design – Example 2 (In-House Developed Spreadsheet)
Attachment 6: List of Tables...................................................................... 39
1 Reinforcing Bars Diameters & Cross Sections
2 Basic Development Length of Standard 90° Hooks in Tension
3 Basic Development Length in Compression
4 Minimum Straight Tension Development Length (Bottom Bars)
5 Minimum Straight Tension Development Length (Top Bars)
6 Minimum Percent Reinforcement Required for Footing Design
Page 3 of 44
1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to provide the engineer and designer with
guidelines for spread footing design for use by engineers working on Saudi
Aramco projects and Saudi Aramco engineers.
1.2 Scope
This design guide defines the minimum requirements for the analysis and design
of reinforced spread footings in process industry facilities at Saudi Aramco sites.
It covers general design philosophy and requirements to be used in the analysis
and design of spread footings. Section 2.0 of this instruction includes reference
codes and Saudi Aramco standards. Combined footings, mats and pile
foundations are beyond the scope of this guideline. The Design Input Forms 1
and 2 (Attachment 1) for foundation input loads presented in this guideline are
valid for either square or rectangular footings subject to either uniaxial or biaxial
overturning forces.
1.3 Disclaimer
The material in this Best Practices document provides the most correct and
accurate design guidelines available to Saudi Aramco which comply with
international industry practices. This material is being provided for the general
guidance and benefit of the Designer. Use of the Best Practices in designing
projects for Saudi Aramco, however, does not relieve the Designer from his
responsibility to verify the accuracy of any information presented or from his
contractual liability to provide safe and sound designs that conform to
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirements. Use of the information or
material contained herein is no guarantee that the resulting product will satisfy
the applicable requirements of any project. Saudi Aramco assumes no
responsibility or liability whatsoever for any reliance on the information
presented herein or for designs prepared by Designers in accordance with the
Best Practices. Use of the Best Practices by Designers is intended solely for,
and shall be strictly limited to, Saudi Aramco projects. Saudi Aramco® is a
registered trademark of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company. Copyright, Saudi
Aramco, 2002.
1.4 Conflicts with Mandatory Standards
In the event of a conflict between this Best Practice and other Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirement, the Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement shall govern.
Page 4 of 44
2 References
The latest edition of the following applicable codes, standards, specifications, and
references. Short titles will be used herein when appropriate.
2.1 Industry Codes and Standards
American Concrete Institute (ACI)

ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete and Commentary
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
International Conference of Building Officials

Uniform Building Code, 1997 Edition
2.2 Saudi Aramco Best Practices

SABP-001 Anchor Bolt Design and Installation
SABP-006 Wind Loads on Piperacks & Open Frame
Structures
SABP-007 Steel Piperack Design
2.3 Saudi Aramco Standards
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAES)

SAES-A-113 Geotechnical Engineering Requirements
SAES-A-114 Excavation and Backfill
SAES-A-204 Preparation of Structural Calculations
SAES-M-001 Structural Design Criteria for Non-Building
Structures
SAES-Q-001 Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete
Structures
SAES-Q-005 Concrete Foundations
Page 5 of 44
3 General
3.1 The design and specifications for construction of spread footings shall be
adequate for the structure intended use, in accordance with commonly accepted
engineering practice, Saudi Aramco Standard SAES-Q-005 Section 4.0, and this
guideline.
3.2 A geotechnical investigation is required for all new structures and foundations
as described in SAES-A-113. (Ref. SAES-Q-005, Para. 4.1.1)
3.3 The allowable soil bearing pressure shall be based on the results of the
geotechnical investigation, and a consideration of permissible total and
differential settlements. Soil pressures shall be calculated under the action of
vertical and lateral loads using load combinations that result in the maximum
soil pressures. The maximum soil pressure shall not exceed the applicable
allowable value. (Ref. SAES-Q-005, Para. 4.1.2)
3.4 Foundations shall be founded on either undisturbed soil or compact fill and at
least 600 mm below the existing or finished grade surface, unless a detailed soils
investigation indicated otherwise. In the case of foundations supported on
compacted fill, the geotechnical investigation and/or SAES-A-114 shall govern
the type of fill material and degree of compaction required. (Ref. SAES-Q-005,
Para. 4.1.3)
3.5 The design and construction of all concrete foundations shall comply with the
requirements of SAES-Q-001. (Ref. SAES-Q-005, Para. 4.3.1)
3.6 The top of concrete pedestal shall be a minimum of 150 mm above finished
grade for all columns supporting process equipments and piperacks. (Ref.
SAES-Q-005, Para. 4.3.2.a)
3.7 The design concrete compressive strength of concrete shall be 27.6 MPa
(4000 psi) at 28 days. (Ref. SAES-Q-005, Para. 4.3.2.b)
3.8 The structural calculations shall be prepared in accordance with the

requirements of SAES-A-204.
4 Loadings
4.1 Loads and load combinations for spread footing design shall conform to
Sections 5 and 6 of SAES-M-001 "Structural Design Criteria for Non-Building
Structures", Chapter 16 of Uniform Building Code (UBC) and Sections 4 and 5
of S.A. Best Practice SABP-007 "Steel Piperacks Design".
Page 6 of 44
4.2 The loads used for footing design shall be service load reactions obtained from
an elastic analysis of the superstructure. In computing footing soil pressures the
service load reactions are used. The weight of the footing and soil overburden
shall be combined with the service loads. The effect of buoyancy shall be
considered in footing design.
4.3 In computing moments and shears for footing slab design, the service load soil
pressures are factored. In designing the pedestal, load factors are applied to the
service load reactions and the pedestal is designed in accordance with the ACI
Code.
5 Footing Design
5.1 Sizing
5.1.1 General
a) Generally, spread footings should be square or rectangular and

sized in 6-inch (150 mm) increments. The footing Length (L) to
Width (W) ratio of rectangular footings shall conform to the
following range 0.5 < L/B < 2.
b) Footings must be designed to safely resist the effects of the applied

factored axial loads, shears and moments. Provisions of Chapter
15 of ACI Code apply primarily for design of footings supporting a
single column (isolated footings).
c) The size of spread footings may be governed by stability

requirements, sliding, soil bearing pressure, or settlement. A
discussion of each of these considerations follows.
5.1.2 Foundation Stability
a) All foundations subject to buoyant forces shall be designed to resist

a uniformly distributed uplift equal to the full hydrostatic pressure.
The minimum safety factor against floatation shall be 1.10,
considering the highest anticipated water level (Ref. SAES-Q-005,
para. 4.2.1).
b) The minimum safety factor against overturning for load

combinations which include wind or seismic forces shall be 1.5; for
all other conditions, it shall be 2.0 (Ref. SAES-Q-005, para. 4.2.2).
Page 7 of 44
5.1.3 Foundation Sliding
The minimum safety factor against sliding shall be 1.5. The coefficient
of friction used in computing the safety factor against sliding for cast-in-
place foundations shall be 0.40, unless specified otherwise in a detailed
soil investigation. Passive earth pressure from backfill shall not be
considered in computing these safety factors (ref. SAES-Q-005, Para.
4.2.3).
5.1.4 Soil Bearing Pressure
A common assumption in the design of soil bearing footings is that the

footing behaves as a rigid unit. Hence, the soil pressure beneath a
footing is assumed to vary linearly when the footing is subjected to axial
load and moment. The ensuing rectangular footing formulas are based
on the linear pressure assumption. We will consider the following
conditions:
Case 1 - Resultant is within middle third of footing e ≤ L/6

The resultant R consists of the applied vertical load plus the
weight of the footing.
In this case, all of footing area in compression, and the direct soil
pressure PT/A is larger than the bending pressure Mc/I = M/S.
When bending occurs about one axis only (Figure 1 – Case 1), and the
entire footing is subjected to pressure,
Qmax = PT/A + M/S = PT/BL (1 + 6e/L) Uniaxial Loading Eq. 5-1
Qmin = PT/A - M/S = PT/BL (1 - 6e/L) Uniaxial Loading Eq. 5-2
Eccentricity e = ΣM/ΣPT = (M + H x h) /PT Eq. 5-3
Page 8 of 44
When bending occurs about both the x and y axis, and the entire footing
is subjected to pressure (i.e., eccentricity of the footing ex and ey lie
within their respective kern points),
qmax = PT/A + My/Sx + Mx/Sy = PT/BL (1 + 6ex/L + 6ey/B)

Biaxial Loading Eq. 5-4
qmin = PT/A - My/Sx - Mx/Sy = PT/BL (1 - 6ex/L - 6ey/B)

Biaxial Loading Eq.5-5
ex = ΣMy/ΣPT Eq. 5-6
ey = ΣMx/ΣPT Eq. 5-7
Page 9 of 44
where
A = Area of footing = (L) (B)
L = Footing Length – Dimension Parallel to X-Axis
B = Footing width – dimension parallel to Y-axis
PT = Vertical design load including soil overburden,
foundation weight, and buoyancy
Mx = Moment About X-Axis of Footing Plan
My = Moment About Y-Axis of Footing Plan
Sx = L (B2/6) Ix = L B3/12
Sy = B (L2/6) Iy = B L3/12
The values of ex and ey are obtained using equation 5-6 and 5-7 first
about the x-axis and then about the y-axis
Case 2 - Resultant is outside middle third of footing e>L/6

The resultant R consists of the applied vertical load plus the
weight of the footing and soil overburden.
When bending occurs about one axis only:
In this case, as the load acts outside the middle third, tensile stress results
at the left side of the footing as shown in Figure 1- Case 2.
Figure 1 - Case 2 shows the distribution of soil pressure beneath the

footing when the resultant is outside the middle third of the base.
According to the laws of static, the total upward force must be equal to
and collinear with R. These two conditions may be expressed by
R = (qmax B x) / 2 Eq. 5-8
and
x/3 = (L/2) - e2
x = 3 (L/2 – e2) Eq. 5-9
qmax = 2PT/3B (L/2 – e2) Eq. 5-10
When bending occurs about both the x and y axis, and the values of ex
and ey are obtained using equation 5-6 and 5-7 first about the x-axis and
then about the y-axis. If the resulting point of application of eccentricity
e falls outside of the kern of the section (as labeled in Figure 2), a
special case exists and the points of zero pressure must be determined by
Page 10 of 44
trial. It should be noted that tension cannot exist between the soil and
the footing.
For the spread footings that are subject to biaxial bending with the
resultant lies outside or inside the kern, numerical solutions can be found
in many soil mechanics textbooks. Commercial software is also
available for this situation. Attachment 1A is a design aid that is based
on accurate numerical solutions and graphically provides the results.
5.1.5 Settlement
Footings shall be designed so that under sustained loads (operating

loads) the total settlement and the differential settlement between
footings do not exceed the established limits. The maximum allowable
amount of total settlement and differential settlement is typically set by
the Project Structural Engineer based on the sensitivity of the equipment
or structure being supported.
Page 11 of 44
5.2 Reinforced Concrete Footing Design
5.2.1 General
a) Reinforced concrete footing design shall conform to the

requirements of ACI 318. The strength method shall be used for all
reinforced concrete footings design.
b) The footing thickness is generally controlled by shear or rigidity

requirements. However, thickness may be controlled by flexural
considerations where the thickness is increased to avoid tension top
steel or to keep ρ less than ρbal. In any case, the minimum
thickness of a soil bearing footing shall be 12 inches.
5.2.2 Flexural Considerations
a) Footings shall be designed considering two-way action. The

procedures outlined in ACI 318, Chapter 15 shall be followed for
footing design.
b) The strength method outlined in ACI 318, Chapter 10 shall be used

for all design.
c) For square footings, reinforcing steel shall be placed continuously

across the entire footing in a grid pattern. For rectangular footings,
placement of steel shall conform to ACI 318, Section 15.4.4. All
reinforcement shall be fully developed in compliance with ACI 318
criteria.
d) To ensure that a footing failure is ductile, the minimum amount of

bottom steel (grade 60 ksi) shall be:
As (min) = (200/fy) b d = 0.0033 b d
The above requirements need not be applied if at every section the

area of tensile reinforcement provided is at least one-third greater
than that required by analysis. However, the minimum bottom
steel shall not be less than minimum shrinkage reinforcement (As =
0.0018 b h).
where
b = width of footing
d = distance from top of footing to center of bottom bars
h = depth of footing
Page 12 of 44
e) If a footing has uplift, there will be a moment at the heel that will
cause tension in the top of footing. Provide top steel to account for
the moment resulting from the footing weight and soil overburden
weight. Development length of top steel shall be per Table 5. The
bars may be hooked 90° downward to achieve the required
development length if straight embedment is not adequate. If top
reinforcing is required, minimum reinforcing shall be #3 at 12
inches on center, each way.
5.2.3 Shear Considerations
Both wide-beam action and two-way action must be checked to

determine the required footing depth. Beam action assumes that the
footing acts as a wide beam with a critical section across its entire width.
Two-way action for the footing checks "punching" shear strength. The
critical section for punching shear is a perimeter bo around the supported
member with the shear strength computed in accordance with ACI Code
Sect. 11.12.2.1. Tributary areas and corresponding critical sections for
wide-beam action and two-way action for an isolated footing are
illustrated in Figure 3 below:
Page 13 of 44
Figure 3 – Tributary Area for Wide-Beam and Two-Way Action Shear

(Adapted from Notes On ACI 318 - 99 by PCA)
For footing design, the depth must be selected so that shear

reinforcement is not required. The shear strength equations may be
summarized as follows:
Page 14 of 44
Figure 4 – Shear Strength of Concrete in Footings
6 Pedestal Design
6.1 Pedestals shall be designed using the strength method and moment
magnification. The pedestal shall be assumed to be a cantilever with K factor of
2.0. The service loads acting on the pedestal shall be factored, and the pedestal
shall be designed as a column or cantilever beam in accordance with ACI 318
provisions.
6.2 Use reinforcing dowels to transfer the column loads to the footings. Minimum
dowel projections should be that required for a tension splice in accordance with
ACI 318.
Page 15 of 44
6.3 Transfer of Force at Base of Column
All forces applied at the base of a column (supported member) must be

transferred to the footing (supporting member) by bearing on concrete and/or by
reinforcement. Tensile forces must be resisted entirely by reinforcement.
Bearing on concrete for both supported and supporting member must not exceed
the concrete bearing strength permitted by ACI Code Section 10.17.
For a supported column, the bearing capacity φPnb is
φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) ACI – Sect. 10.17.1
f 'c = compressive strength of the column concrete
A 1 = loaded area (column area)
φ = 0.70
For a supporting footing,
φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) A2/A1 ≤ 2φ(.85 f 'c A1)
f 'c = compressive strength of the footing concrete
A2 = area of the lower base of the largest frustum of a pyramid, cone, or tapered
wedge contained wholly within the footing and having for its upper base the
loaded area, and having side slopes of 1 vertical to 2 horizontal (see ACI Code
Fig. R10.17).
When bearing strength is exceeded, the bearing area must be increased.
A minimum area of reinforcement 0.005Ag (Ag = gross area of column) must be

provided across the interface of column or wall and footing. The minimum
reinforcement for column shall be in accordance with the ACI Code Sect. 10.9
and R10.8.4.
The shear-friction design method of ACI Code Sect. 11.7.4 should be used for
horizontal force transfer between columns and footings. Consideration of some
of the lateral force being transferred by shear through a formed shear key is
questionable. Considerable slip is required to develop a shear key. Shear keys,
if provided, should be considered as an added mechanical factor of safety only,
with no design shear force assigned to the shear key. Net tension across the
shear plane shall be resisted by additional reinforcement.
Page 16 of 44
7 Anchor Bolts
Anchor bolts design requirements shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-005 and

SABP-001.
8 Procedure for Footing Design
The following sequence of steps can be used in the design of spread footings:
8.1 Determine the gross allowable soil bearing pressure based on soil investigation
report or available exiting soil data.
8.2 Size the foundation pedestal based on strength requirements, anchor bolt pattern
and required clearances.
8.3 Determine the primary service load cases and the critical load combinations
acting on the footing.
8.4 Calculate eccentricity e = ΣM/PT (Eq. 5-3) to determine if the resultant is in

middle third (e ≤ L/6) or outside middle third (e > L/6).
8.5 Assume a trial footing size and use service load combinations to calculate the
maximum soil bearing pressure (qmax) and minimum soil bearing pressure (qmin)
based on the location of eccentricity. Adjust footing size so that qmax does not
exceed the maximum gross allowable soil bearing pressure.
8.6 Calculate safety factor against overturning by dividing resisting moment by

overturning moment. The resultant Safety Factor should be 1.5 or 2.0 minimum
(depending on loads considered), otherwise increase footing size.
8.7 Calculate safety factor against sliding by dividing resisting shear by actual shear.
The resultant Safety Factor should be 1.5 minimum.
8.8 Assume footing thickness and determine the required effective depth of the
section that has adequate beam shear capacity at a distance d from the support
face for one way shear and punching shear at a distance d/2 for two-way action.
8.9 Calculate the controlling factored moment Mu on a plane at the face of the
column support. Find Mn = Mu/0.9. Select a total reinforcement area As based
on Mn and the applicable effective depth. Ensure that the area of steel in each
principal direction of the footing plan exceeds the minimum value required for
temperature and shrinkage: As = 0.0018 bw h (bw = width of footing, h = total
thickness).
Page 17 of 44
8.10 Determine the size and spacing of the flexural reinforcement in the long and
short directions. In one-way footings and two-way square footings, flexural
reinforcement shall be distributed uniformly across the entire width of the
footing. For two-way rectangular footings, the reinforcement must be
distributed as shown in Figure 5 below.
Figure 5 – Distribution of Flexural Reinforcement

(Adapted from Notes On ACI 318-99 by PCA)
8.11 Check development length and anchorage available to verify that bond
requirements are satisfied (ACI Code Chapter 12 and attached Tables 2 through 5).
8.12 Check the bearing stresses on the column and the footing at their area of contact.
8.13 Check shear friction steel requirements at the footing and pedestal interface and
determine the number and size of the dowels required.
Page 18 of 44
Revision Summary
31 August, 2002 New Saudi Aramco Best Design Practice SABP-002.
Page 19 of 44
Attachment 1: List of Forms
Page 20 of 44
Page 21 of 44
Page 22 of 44
Attachment 1A: Soil Pressure for Biaxial Footings
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0.40 0 .1 0.40
75
e 2/
0.
0.38 0.38
0.
0.
10
b=
15
05
0 .0
0.36 0.36
0.34 0.34
0.2 25 .25
0.2
0
0.32 0 0.32
0.30 0.30
0.2
75
0.28 0.28
0.26 0.26
0.30
0.24 0.24
RATIO
e1/d 0.22 0.22
0.20 0.20
0.32
5
0.18 0.18
0.35
0.16 0.16
0.37
0.14 0.14
Smax = K (P/bd)
5
0.12 0.12
e 2/b
Location of Smax
=0
0.10 0.10
.40
e2
0.08 0.08
e1 Load P
d
0.06 0.06
0.04 0.04
0.02 0.02
b
0.00 0.00
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
K coefficient
Page 23 of 44
Attachment 2: Spread Footing Design – Example 1 (Manual Calculations)
Spread Footing Design – Example 1
Given: PD = 300 Kips Soil Weight = 115 pcf

PL = 250 Kips
f’c = 4,000 psi fy = 60,000 psi
Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure qs = 4.0 ksf (gross)
Assume footing width restricted to 10 feet
Page 24 of 44
Step 1: Determine base area required
The base area of the footing is determined using service (unfactored) loads with the net
permissible soil pressure.
Total weight of surcharge = 0.115 X 4.5 ft = 0.52 ksf
Net permissible soil pressure qs = 4.0 – 0.52 = 3.48 ksf
Required base area of footing: Af = (300 + 250) / 3.48 = 158.05 ft²
Use 10 ft X 16 ft footing (Af = 160 ft² > 158.05) O.K.
Step 2: Factored loads and soil reaction
Pu = 1.4 (300) + 1.7 (250) = 845 kips
qs = Pu / Af = 845 / 160 = 5.28 ksf
Step 3: Check beam shear (wide beam action) – see Figure below
Assume footing thickness = 30 in. and average effective thickness d=26.5 in. = 2.21 ft
ΦVn ≥ Vu (Vn = Vc) ACI – Eq. 11-1
Vu = qs x tributary area
Tributary area = 10 (8.0 – 1.25 –2.21) = 45.40 ft²
Vu = 5.28 x 45.40 = 239.71 kips
ΦVn = ΦVc = Φ(2√f’c bw d) ACI - Eq. 11-3
ΦVn = 0.85 (2√4000 x 120 x 26.5)/1000
ΦVn = 341.95 kips > 239.71 O.K.
Ratio = 239.71 / 341.95 = 0.70 < 1.0 O.K.
Step 4: Check Two-way action (punching shear)- see Figure below
Check punching shear along tributary perimeter area (per Figure below)
Vu = qs x Tributary area
Tributary Area = (Lx * Ly) – ((30 + d) (12 + d)/144)
Page 25 of 44
Tributary area = [(10 x 16) – (30 + 26.50)(12 + 26.50)/144] = 144.89 ft²
Vu = 5.28 x 144.89 = 765.04 kips
ΦVn ≥ Vu (Vn = Vc) ACI – Eq. 11-1
Vc shall be the smallest of :
Vc = (2 + 4/βc) √f’c bo d ACI Eq. 11-35
Vc = (αsd/bo+ 2) √f’c bo d ACI Eq. 11-36
Vc = 4 √f’c bo d ACI Eq. 11-37
bo = 2(30 + 26.5) + 2(12 + 26.5) = 190 in.
βc = 30 / 12 = 2.50
bo / d = 190 / 26.50 = 7.17
αs = 40 for interior columns
In Eq. 11-35 (2 + 4/βc) = 2 + 4/2.50 = 3.60 Governs Design
In Eq. 11-36 (αsd/bo+ 2) = 40*26.50/190 + 2 = 7.58
In Eq. 11-37 4
ΦVc=0.85x(2 + 4/βc)x√f’c bo d=0.85 x 3.6 x √4000 x190x26.50/1000 = 974.43 kips
ΦVc = 974.43 kips > 765.04 kips O.K. (Footing thickness is adequate)
Ratio = 765.04 / 974.43 = 0.79 < 1.0 O.K.
Page 26 of 44
Beam Shear & Punching Shear in Footing:
Step 5: Design Footing Reinforcement
Ultimate moment Mu:
Mu = Wl2/2 = 5.28 x 10 ft x (6.752 /2 = 1202.85 k –ft
Mn = 1202.85 /0.9 = 1336.50 k-ft
Page 27 of 44
F = bd2/12,000 = (10x12) x 26.52 / 12,000 = 7.02
Kn = Mn /F = 1336.50 / 7.02 = 190.32
ρ = 0.0033 = 200/Fy > ρ min = 0.0018 From Table 6
As = ρ x b x d
As = 0.0033 x 120 x 26.50 = 10.49 in²
Use 14 # 8 bars As = 11.06 in2 > 10.49 ok
Use #8 @ 8 ¾ inches
Reinforcement in Perpendicular Direction:
Mu = 5.28 x 16x (4.5)2/2 = 855.36 k-ft
Mn = 855.36/0.9 = 950.4 k-ft
F = bd2/12,000 = (16x12) x 262 / 12,000 = 10.82
Kn = Mn /F = 950.4 / 10.82 = 87.87
ρ = 0.0013 < ρ min = 0.0033 From Table 6
ρmin = 1.33 x 0.0013 = 0.0017 < ρ min = 0.0018 (min. shrinkage reinf.)
Use ρ min = 0.0018
As = ρ x b x h
As = 0.0018 x 16 x 12 x 30 = 10.37 in²
Distribution to 10 ft width:
As1 = (2 / 1 + β) x As
As1 = (2/ 1 + 16/10) x 10.37 = 7.97 in²
Use 14 # 7 As1 = 8.40 in2 > 7.97 ok Region 2 (middle) 120 inch
Distribution to each end of footing ends:
As2 = (As – As1) / 2 = (10.37 – 7.97 ) / 2 = 1.20 in²
Use 2 # 7 As2 = 1.20 in² > or = 1.20 ok Region 1 and 3 (ends) 36 inch
Page 28 of 44
Step 6:Check force transfer at column base:
Bearing Strength of Column:
φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) ACI – Sect. 10.17.1
0.70 (0.85 x 4) x (12 x 30) = 856.80 Kips > 845 Kips - O.K.
Bearing Strength of Footing:
φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) √ A2/ A1
√ A2/ A1 > 2 Use 2
φPnb = 0.7 ( 0.85 x 4) x (12 x 30) x 2 = 1713.6 kips > 845 Kips Ok.
Use minimum column dowels:
0.005 x 12 x30 = 1.8 in² Use 4 # 6 As = 1.76 in²
Step 7: Check development length for column dowels and for footing bottom bars
Column Vertical Dowels:
For # 6 dowels: Required compression development length
ld (required) = 14.2 in (per Table 3) < 26 in available O.K.
Footing Bottom Bars:
Footing Bottom bars development length required ld for # 8 = 57 in. (per Table 4)
< (98 –3) = 78” Available - O.K.
Footing Bottom bars development length required ld for #7= 50 in. (per Table 4)
< (54 – 3) = 51 in. Available – O.K.
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Attachment 3:
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Attachment 4:
Based on STAAD III output, the following is the critical service load combination.
See detailed load combinations from STAAD III output.
Given: P = 27.25 Kips Soil Weight = 115 pcf

H = 4.93 Kips
M = 54.55 Kip - ft
f’c = 4,000 psi fy = 60,000 psi
Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure qs = 3.0 ksf (gross)
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Step 1: Determine base area required & maximum soil bearing pressure
The base area of the footing is determined using service (unfactored) loads:
Footing & Pedestal weight = (8.0x5.0x1.5x0.15) + (2.5x1.67x3.0x0.15)

= 9.00 + 1.88 = 10.88 Kips
Weight of Soil = ((8.0x5.0) – (2.5x1.67)) x 2.50 x 0.115 = 10.30 kips
Total P = 27.25 + 10.88 + 10.30 = 48.43 Kips
Overturning Moment (O.M.)= (H x h) + M = (4.93 x 4.5) + 54.55 = 76.74 k-ft
Resisting Moment (R.M.) = ∑ P x Lx/2 = 48.43 x 8/2 = 193.71 k-ft
S.F. against overturning =R.M./O.M.= MR/MO = 193.71 / 76.74 = 2.52 > 2.0 O.K.
S.F. against sliding = P x 0.4 / H = 48.43 x 0.4 / 4.93 = 3.93 > 1.5 O.K.
Check location of centricity: e = MO / P = 76.74 / 48.43 = 1.58 ft > L/6 = 8/6 = 1.33
Resultant is outside the middle third of footing.
Use equations 5-8 and 5-9 for calculating maximum gross soil bearing pressure
X/3 = (Lx/2 ) – e = (8.0 /2) – 1.58 = 2.42 Eq. 5-9
X = 7.26 ft
qmax = (P x 2) / Ly x X = (48.43 x 2) / 5.0 x 7.26 = 2.67 ksf < 3.0 O.K. Eq. 5-8
qnet = 2.67 – (10.88 + 10.30) / 8.0 x 5.0 = 2.67 – 0.53 = 2.14 ksf
Step 2: Factored loads and soil reaction
Critical factored load combination based on STAAD II computer output
Pu = 39.36 kips
Add weight of footing and soil:
Pu = 39.36 + 1.4(10.88 + 10.30) = 69.01 KIPS
Hu = 8.19 kips
Mu = 91.38 k - ft
Page 33 of 44
Add additional moment from horizontal load

Mu = 91.38 + (8.19 x 4.5) = 128.24 k-ft
e = Mu /Pu = 128.24 / 69.01 = 1.86 > L/6 = 1.33
Resultant outside middle third – use Eq. 8 and 9:
X/3 = (Lx/2 ) – e = (8.0 /2) – 1.86 = 2.14 Eq. 5-9
X = 6.42 ft
qmax = (P x 2) / Ly x X = (69.01 x 2) / 5.0 x 6.42 = 4.30 ksf Eq. 5-8
qnet = 4.30 – 1.4 (10.88 + 10.30) / 8.0 x 5.0 = 4.30 – 0.74 = 3.56 ksf
With factored soil bearing pressure qnet = 3.56 ksf, repeat steps 3 to 6 as in example 1.
Also, see In-House developed Spreadsheet (Attachment 4).
q at face of column = (4.30/6.42) * (6.42 –2.75) = 2.46 ksf
qnet = 2.46 – 1.4 (10.88 + 10.30) / 8.0 x 5.0 = 2.46 – 0.74 = 1.72 ksf
Max. Moment at face of column:
Mu = (1.72*2.752)2 + (3.56-1.72) *2.75 * 0.5 * 2.75 *2/3
Mu = 6.50 + 4.64 = 11.14 k-ft /ft Mn = 11.14 / 0.9 = 12.38 k-ft / ft
Mu (total) = 11.14 * 5.0 = 55.70 k-ft Mn (tot) = 55.70 / 0.9 = 61.89 k-ft
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Attachment 5:
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Attachment 6: List of Tables
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Best Practice: Spread Footings Design

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Best Practice: Spread Footings Design

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Best Practice

SABP-002 31 August, 2002

Spread Footings Design

Developed by: Hisham Abu-Adas

Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: 1 September, 2007

SPREAD FOOTINGS DESIGN

1.4 Conflicts with Mandatory Standards

2.1 Industry Codes and Standards

American Concrete Institute (ACI)

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

International Conference of Building Officials

2.2 Saudi Aramco Best Practices

2.3 Saudi Aramco Standards

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAES)

3.8 The structural calculations shall be prepared in accordance with the

a) Generally, spread footings should be square or rectangular and

b) Footings must be designed to safely resist the effects of the applied

c) The size of spread footings may be governed by stability

5.1.2 Foundation Stability

a) All foundations subject to buoyant forces shall be designed to resist

b) The minimum safety factor against overturning for load

5.1.3 Foundation Sliding

5.1.4 Soil Bearing Pressure

A common assumption in the design of soil bearing footings is that the

Case 1 - Resultant is within middle third of footing e ≤ L/6

qmax = PT/A + My/Sx + Mx/Sy = PT/BL (1 + 6ex/L + 6ey/B)

qmin = PT/A - My/Sx - Mx/Sy = PT/BL (1 - 6ex/L - 6ey/B)

ex = ΣMy/ΣPT Eq. 5-6

ey = ΣMx/ΣPT Eq. 5-7

Case 2 - Resultant is outside middle third of footing e>L/6

When bending occurs about one axis only:

Figure 1 - Case 2 shows the distribution of soil pressure beneath the

Footings shall be designed so that under sustained loads (operating

5.2 Reinforced Concrete Footing Design

a) Reinforced concrete footing design shall conform to the

b) The footing thickness is generally controlled by shear or rigidity

5.2.2 Flexural Considerations

a) Footings shall be designed considering two-way action. The

b) The strength method outlined in ACI 318, Chapter 10 shall be used

c) For square footings, reinforcing steel shall be placed continuously

d) To ensure that a footing failure is ductile, the minimum amount of

As (min) = (200/fy) b d = 0.0033 b d

The above requirements need not be applied if at every section the

5.2.3 Shear Considerations

Both wide-beam action and two-way action must be checked to

Figure 3 – Tributary Area for Wide-Beam and Two-Way Action Shear

For footing design, the depth must be selected so that shear

Figure 4 – Shear Strength of Concrete in Footings

6.3 Transfer of Force at Base of Column

All forces applied at the base of a column (supported member) must be

For a supported column, the bearing capacity φPnb is

φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) ACI – Sect. 10.17.1

f 'c = compressive strength of the column concrete

A 1 = loaded area (column area)

For a supporting footing,

φPnb = φ(.85 f 'c A1) A2/A1 ≤ 2φ(.85 f 'c A1)

f 'c = compressive strength of the footing concrete

When bearing strength is exceeded, the bearing area must be increased.

A minimum area of reinforcement 0.005Ag (Ag = gross area of column) must be

Anchor bolts design requirements shall be in accordance with SAES-Q-005 and

8 Procedure for Footing Design

8.4 Calculate eccentricity e = ΣM/PT (Eq. 5-3) to determine if the resultant is in

8.6 Calculate safety factor against overturning by dividing resisting moment by