CH 7 Footing and Pile Caps

CON4339 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN
│CHAPTER 7│
Design of Simple Footings and Pile Caps
Learning Objectives
 Design the reinforcement for simple footing by integrating the
following processes:
o Determination of ultimate design load and soil pressure
o Identify the critical sections for design for bending and shear
o Design the reinforcement for bending
o Check shear stresses
 Design the reinforcement required for simple pile cap by
integrating the following process
o Determine the tensile force in the reinforcement by truss
analogy and design the reinforcement accordingly
o Check shear stresses
CONTENTS
7.1 Simple Pad Footing

7.1.1 Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure
7.1.2 Example – Size of Pad Footing
7.1.3 Design Loads for R C Design
7.1.4 Critical Sections for R C Design
7.1.5 Distribution of Reinforcement
7.1.6 Example – Simple Pad Footing
7.2 Simple Pile Cap

7.2.1 Truss Analogy
7.2.2 R C Design
7.2.3 Design for Shear
7.2.4 Example – Simple Pile Cape
Chapter 7 1
HD in Civil Engineering (Aug 2014)
7.1 Simple Pad Footing
The foundation of a structure is designed to transmit the load from the

structure to the ground safely by spreading the force out or transferring the
force down to a suitable bearing stratum. If the load is not very large and a
suitable soil stratum can be identified not very deep into the ground, the
foundation can be in the form of a pad to spread the load from the column
onto the soil as shown in Figure 7.1. It is called a pad footing, spread footing,
or, in a more academic term, shallow foundation, or simply, footing.
Fc – Column Load
Column
wi – Imposed load at floor level
Ground
ws – Weight of soil
wf – Footing self-weight
Pad Footing
ps – Soil pressure
Figure 7.1 – Loading and Soil Pressure

of Symmetrically-loaded Pad Footing on Granular Soil (Section)
In the design of footing, two aspects have to be checked:
(i) Pressure at the bearing stratum (geotechnical design)

(ii) Reinforced concrete design of the footing (structural design)
The first checking, or geotechnical design, is to ensure the pressure exerted

by the base onto the soil would not induce excessive settlement or even
rupture the soil. That involves geotechnical analysis of the soil to determine
the suitable founding level and the minimum base area, or bearing area, of
the footing. However, the focus of this chapter is on the latter one, i.e. the
structural design of the footing, which is to determine the thickness of the
footing and the reinforcement required. The structural design approach for
R C footing is quite similar to that for R C slab. The design formulae you
Chapter 7 2
have learnt in Chapters 1 to 3, or summarized in the Annex are applicable.

However, in order to complete the picture of the whole design process, the
soil pressure check is also briefly discussed and illustrated with a simple
example. More information on the determination of soil bearing capacity
and settlement can be found in other courses.
For the purpose of this course, to illustrate the essences of the structural
design of footing, we will focus on the design of simple concentrically-loaded
square footing seating on granular soil.
7.1.1 Soil Bearing Pressure
Soil, like all other materials, deforms under the action of load that will then
cause settlement to the structure. Therefore, the pressure exerted on the
soil under working load should not induce excessive settlement to the
structure so as not to impair the function of the building. It is the
serviceability limit state (SLS) requirement for the design.
In addition, the footing, when under design ultimate load, should be designed
such that it would not subside into the soil, or, in other words, the ultimate
pressure exerted on the soil would not be so large that it ruptures the soil,
pushing the soil to flow, and therefore leads to collapse of the building. This
is the ultimate bearing pressure of the soil, and is the ultimate limit state (ULS)
requirement for the design.
The deformation behaviour and the ultimate strength of a soil mass depends
on the geotechnical properties of the soil. For footing seating on granular
soils, the safe soil bearing pressure is usually controlled by settlement, i.e.
SLS. Hence, for simplicity, an allowable soil bearing pressure, qa, is usually
adopted for checking the SLS of a pad footing seating on granular soil.1
The adequacy of the base area of the footing is checked by ensuring the
additional pressure exerted on the soil due to the working load, i.e. unfactored
1 For footing seating on fine-grained or cohesive soil, both ultimate soil pressure and settlements are important
consideration. The behavior of settlement in fine-grained or cohesive soil is different from that in granular soil; it
is time dependent. The distribution of soil pressure under the footing is also different. It is beyond the scope of
this chapter. Details shall refer to relevant text books and publications.
Chapter 7 3
load, from the structure would not exceed the allowable soil bearing pressure,
qa,. The gross soil pressure, qg, just beneath the footing is the summation
of all the effects due to working load from the column, imposed load on the
ground, weight of soil above the footing and self-weight of the footing as
illustrated in Figure 7.1. Therefore, for granular soil, the base area should
be designed such that
qg – γshs < qa
where γs = Soil density

hs = Depth between ground and founding level
However, be conservative and for simplicity, the soil above the founding level
of shallow foundation is usually ignored and the soil pressure is assumed to
be uniformly distributed as shown in the Figure 7.2, and therefore, for
granular soil, the required base area is then determined as follows.2
Column
Ground
Soil above
Fc
founding level is
ignored
Pad Footing
wf
Founding Level
ps
Soil pressure is assumed to be

uniformly distributed
Figure 7.2 - Idealized Loads and Soil Pressure of

a Concentrically-loaded Footing for Design (Section)
Characteristic loads from the column = Gk and Qk

Base area of the footing = Af
Self-weight of the footing = Wf
2 This method is suitable for granular soil only.
Chapter 7 4
Working load from the column, Fc = Gk + Qk

Soil bearing pressure, ps = (Fc + Wf) /Af
< qa
or, the minimum required base area
Af > (Fc + Wf)/qa
7.1.2 Example – Size of Simple Pad Footing
Question
A square footing is designed to support a column placed at the center of it. With the
following information, prepare a preliminary estimate of the size of the footing based on
allowable soil bearing pressure.
Design Parameters
Characteristic loads from the column
Dead load, Gk = 1800 kN (s/w of column included)
Imposed Load, Qk = 1550 kN
Footing founding level: at 1.5m below ground level
Soil: Dry dense sand (i.e. granular soil)
Allowable soil bearing pressure, qa = 300 kPa
Solution
Assume the self-weight of footing, Wf = 200kN (to be verified later)
Ignoring the soil above the founding level

Total working load at the founding level = 1800 + 1550 + 200
= 3550 kN
Bearing area required = 3550 / 300
= 11.83 m2
Try dimensions of footing = 3500 x 3500 x 650 mm
Af = 3.5 x 3.5
= 12.25 m2 > 11.83 m2 ok
Verify the assumed value of Wf = 24.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.65
= 195 kN < 200kN ok
Chapter 7 5
7.1.3 Design Loads for Structural Design
The structural design of footing concerns with the ultimate structural capacity
of the R C footing. Design ultimate load (i.e. factored load) should be used,
and the design load from the column is:3
Fc = 1.4 Gk + 1.6 Qk
For determining the design shear and bending in the footing, the net upward
reaction pressure from the soil is adopted, which is:
pn = Fc / Af
Take note of the following:
(a) Self-weight of the footing, the soil load above the footing and the
surcharge on the ground, which are uniformly distributed and are self-
balanced by their induced uniformly-distributed upward reaction
pressure from the soil, can then be simply excluded from the
calculation of the net upward reaction pressure.
(b) The assumption that the soil pressure is uniformly distributed is in
general valid if the footing is sufficiently rigid and is seating on granular
soil.
7.1.4 Critical Sections for R C Design
While the geotechnical design determines the minimum base area of the
footing, the structural design determines the thickness and reinforcement of
the footing. A footing can be regarded as a slab panel subjected to a
concentrated load from the column. Unlike one-way or two-way slab
discussed in Chapter 5, where bending controls the design, the high shear
stress induced by the concentrated load, i.e. the column, determines the
thickness of the footing.4 The cantilever moment induced by the upward net
3 In this Chapter, we focus on designing for Dead and Imposed Loads only. A footing may also have to be
designed for wind load, soil pressure, etc. and appropriate partial factors of safety and combination of loads have
to be considered. Details shall be referred to the design code.
4 In addition to shear, the depth of footing should also be adequate in providing compression bond length for the
Chapter 7 6
soil pressure on the vertical section across the column face, on the other
hand, determines the reinforcement required.
Column
Ground
Fc
Pad Footing

Founding
Level
pn – net upward pressure
SECTION
(1) Section across column face – design

for bending
a c
Pad Footing
(2) Perimeter of the column –
check vmax
e f
(3) Section at 1d from the

column face – design for
shear
Column
L
1.5d
(4) Perimeter at 1.5d from the

column face – check punching
h g shear
b d
PLAN
Figure 7.3 – Critical Sections for

R C Design of Square Footing

column starter bars.
Chapter 7 7
Shear forces at the following three critical sections have to be checked:
(i) Maximum shear on the perimeter of the column face

(ii) Punching shear on the perimeter at 1.5d from the column face
(iii) Shear on the vertical section at 1.0d from the column face
Hence, for a simple square footing, a total of 4 critical sections (1 for bending
and 3 for shear) have to be checked and designed as illustrated in Figure 7.3
and as explained below.
(1) Design the reinforcement for the bending moment on the

vertical section at the column face across the full length
of the footing (i.e. a-b in Figure 7.3)
L
Column width = c
Cantilever span = (L – c) / 2 (L – c) / 2
The net upward force = pn L (L – c) / 2
Therefore, the design moment about a-b is
²
M
2 2 8
Then, using L as the breadth of the section with the effective depth, d,
calculate the K value, the level arm, z, and then the area of steel required,
As, by the formulae of bending in Chapter 2.
(2) Check the maximum shear stress at the column face
Perimeter of column face = 4c

Design shear force = pn (L2 – c2)
vmax = pn (L2 – c2) / (4cd)
< min(0.8 √fcu or 7.0)
Chapter 7 8
c
`(3) Check the shear across the section of the footing at 1.0d
from the column face (i.e. c-d in Figure 7.3)
d
The area of the footing on (L – c) / 2 - d
the right-hand side of c-d = L ((L – c)/2 – d)
Therefore, the design shear force at c-d:
V = pn L (L/2 – c/2 – d)
Then, check the shear stress against vc:
v = pn L (L/2 – c/2 – d) / Ld
< vc
4) Check punching shear at the perimeter 1.5d from the

e f
column face (i.e. e-f-g-h in Figure 7.3)
Rectangular perimeter at 1.5d from the face of the

h g
concentrated load can be used to check for punch shear
(Cl. 6.1.5.7 of HKCP-2013). The design shear at the
perimeter of the square e-f-g-h is to be checked.
Side length of e-f-g-h = c + 2 x 1.5d = c + 3d

The area outside e-f-g-h = L2 – (c + 3d)2
The perimeter of e-f-g-h = 4 (c + 3d)
Therefore, the design shear force at e-f-g-h:
V = pn [L2 – (c + 3d)2]
Then, check the shear stress against vc:
v = pn [L2 – (c + 3d)2] / [4(c + 3d)d]

< vc
Chapter 7 9
The value of vc should be determined by [3.2] (i.e. Table 6.3 of HKCP-

2014) in Chapter 3.
If the shear stress in either (3) or (4) is larger the vc, you may have either
(i) to increase the depth of the footing, (ii) to increase vc by providing more
flexural reinforcement, or (iii) to provide shear reinforcement.
7.1.5 Distribution of Reinforcement
If the dimension of the square footing, L, is larger than 1.5(c + 3d), it is

recommended (Cl.6.7.2.2 of HKCP-2013) to have 2/3 of the reinforcement
concentrated within a zone 1.5d on each side of the column face, i.e. a width
of (c + 3d). However, for simplicity in detailing, unless the footing is very large,
a uniform distribution of bars over the footing is usually adopted, and, as such,
the amount of reinforcement required is adjusted as follows:
If L ≤ 1.5(c + 3d), [7.1]

distribute the rebar uniformly; otherwise,
either (i) the steel is non-uniformly distributed with 2/3 of As placed
within the mid-zone of (c + 3d); or
(ii) increase As by the ratio L / [1.5(c + 3d)] and uniformly
distribute the steel over the footing.
7.1.6 Example – Simple Pad Footing
Question
A square pad footing supporting a column at its center is shown in DWG-07. The design
parameters for the pad footing are given below. Assuming the soil reaction pressure beneath
the footing is uniformly distributed; design the reinforcement for the footing.
Design Parameters
Side length of the square footing, L = 3000 mm

Overall depth of the footing, h = 600 mm
Column width, c = 500 mm
Chapter 7 10
Cover to rebar = 50 mm
Grade of concrete, fcu = 35 MPa
Grade of rebars,fy = 500 MPa
Preferred size of main bars = 20
Dead load from column, Gk = 1200 kN
(column s/w included)
Imposed Load from column, Qk = 450 kN
Solution
Design load from column, F = 1.4 x 1200 + 1.6 x 450
= 2400 kN
Base area, Af = 3.02 = 9.0 m2
Net upward soil pressure, pn = 2400 / 9.0
= 266.7 kPa There are 2 layers of bars, and
the upper bottom layer is used
to determine the value of d.
Effective depth, d = 600 – 50 – 20 – 20/2
= 520 mm
d
(1) Determine Reinforcement for Bending

Breadth of the section, b = 3000 mm
Cantilever span = (3000 – 500) / 2
= 1250 mm
Design moment, M = 266.7 x 3.0 x 1.252 / 2
b=L
= 625 kNm
K= M / (bd2fcu)
= 625 x 106 / (3000 x 5202 x 35)
= 0.022
Lever arm, z = 0.95 x 520
= 494 mm
As,req = M / (0.87 fy z)
= 625 x 106 / (0.87 x 500 x 494)
= 2908 mm2
Check bar distribution, 1.5(c + 3d) = 1.5 x (500 + 3 x 520)
= 3090 > 3000 mm (uniformly distributed)
(Provide 10T20 / 2-way)
As,pro = 10 x 314
= 3140 mm2
Chapter 7 11
100As / bh = 100 x 3140 / (3000 x 600)

= 0.174
> 0.13 and < 4.0 (Steel ratio ok)
(2) Check Maximum Shear at the Perimeter of the Column Face

Perimeter of the column = 4 x 500
= 2000 mm
Design Shear = 266.7 x (3.02 – 0.52)
= 2333 kN
Maximum shear stress, vmax = 2333 x103 / (2000 x 520)
= 2.24 MPa
≤ min(0.8√35 or 7) = 4.73 MPa ok
(3) Check Shear at Section 1.0d from Column Face

100As / bd = 100 x 3140 / (3000 x 520)
= 0.201
Compare to 0.67 (400 / d)1/4 = (400 / 520)1/4

instead of 1.0 because = 0.937 ( > 0.67)
link is seldom provided vc = 0.79 x 0.2011/3 x 0.937 / 1.25 x (35 / 25)1/3
in footing.
= 0.347 x 1.12
= 0.39 MPa
Design shear = 266.7 x 3.0 x (1.25 – 0.52)
= 584 kN
Shear stress = 584 x 103 / (3000 x 520)
= 0.37 < 0.39 MPa ok
(4) Check Punching Shear

Width of the critical perimeter = 500 + 2 x 1.5 x 520 = 2060 mm
Critical perimeter = 4 x 2060
= 8240 mm
Area outside the critical perimeter = 3.02 - 2.0602 = 4.756 m2
Design punching shear = 266.7 x 4.756
= 1268 kN
Punching shear stress = 1268 x 103 / (8240 x 520)
?
= 0.30 < 0.39 MPa ok
Q.1 & 2
Chapter 7 12
7.2 Simple Pile Cap
Pile cap, as its name implies, seats on top of the piles, acting as the transition
between the superstructure and pile foundation. It not only provides a bridge
between two different forms of construction, but also acts as a transfer
structure to transmit the loads between two different structural systems. The
elevation shown in Figure 7.4 illustrates the load transfer mechanism of a pile
cap transmitting the load of a single column onto two piles below it.
Pile cap, unlike beam and slab as discussed in Chapters 4 & 5, is subjected
to high concentrated loads, or point loads, and the span-to-depth ratio is very
small, most often less than 3, and therefore, it behaves like a deep beam,
where the assumption of linear distribution of strain is no more valid, and its
structural design is dominated by shear.
The surcharge, soil weight and self-weight of the pile cap are in general very
small and negligible when compared with the design loads from the column,
and therefore, for simplicity, they are ignored in the following discussion.
7.2.1 Truss Analogy Method
Two methods of design are commonly used in pile cap design: bending theory
or truss analogy. In this chapter, we adopt truss analogy, in which the pile cap
is modelled as a triangular truss with the bottom reinforcement acting as the
bottom chord to resist tension, and the solid concrete acting as diagonal
members to resist compression as illustrated in Figure 7.4.
Chapter 7 13
Fc Fc
Column
Pile cap
C C
d
T
Fc/2 Fc/2
Pile
Pile L
Elevation Truss Analogy
Figure 7.4 – Simple Pile Cap and the Truss Analogy
The tensile force in the reinforcement can then be determined by truss

analysis. The following table provides formulae of the tensile forces for
concentrically-loaded pile caps supported on 2, 3 or 4 piles.
Tensile Force of the

No. of
Configuration Bottom
Piles
Reinforcement
2 T = FcL / (4d)
L
3 T = FcL / (9d)
L
4 T = FcL / (8d)
L
Table 7.1 – Tensile Force for the Reinforcement in Simple Pile Cap
Chapter 7 14
7.2.2 R C Design
Once the flexural tension, T, is obtained from truss analogy, the amount of
reinforcement can then be determined by:
As = T / (0.87fy)
Where the spacing of piles (center-to-center) exceeds 3ϕ (i.e. 3 times the pile
diameter), only those reinforcement within 1.5ϕ from the center of a pile
should be considered to constitute a tension member of the truss.
The tension reinforcement should be provided with full tension anchorage

length beyond the center of the pile and bend up the end faces of the cap.
7.2.3 Design for Shear
Similar to footing, shear has to be checked at three critical sections.
(1) Maximum shear at the perimeter of the column face
Perimeter of column face = 4c

vmax = Fc / (4cd)
< min(0.8 √fcu or 7.0)
(2) Shear across the vertical section at av from the face of the column
The critical section for the shear should be taken at 0.2ϕ inside the pile
face as indicated in Figure 7.5.
av = (L – c – ϕ) / 2 + 0.2 ϕ
Chapter 7 15
0.2ϕ
av
Critical section for shear check
Figure 7.5 – Critical Section for Shear Check in Pile Cap (Plan)
(Adapted from Figure 6.19 of HKCP-2013)
For cap with 3 or more piles, the shear stress, v, should be less than vc
or the enhanced shear strength, vc (1.5d / av), if av is less than 1.5d. That
is:
Shear enhancement
v < vc max(1.5d / av or 1.0)
for beam is 2d/av
while for slab is
Where the spacing of piles (center-to-center) 1.5d/av.
exceeds 3ϕ (i.e. 3 times the pile diameter), the
enhancement may be applied only to the strip of 3ϕ, centered on each
pile.
(3) Punching shear
If the spacing of piles (center-to-center) exceeds 3ϕ (i.e. 3 times the pile

diameter), punching shear at the rectangular perimeter at 1.5d from the
column face should be checked.
The thickness of the pile cap is usually dimensioned such that no shear
reinforcement is required, and nominal horizontal links of T12-250 are then
usually provided.
Chapter 7 16
7.2.4 Example – Simple Pile Cap
Question
A group of four piles supports a column by using a square RC pile cap as shown in DWG-
08. Check the shears and design the reinforcement for the pile cap with the design
parameters provided below.
Design Parameters
Diameter of pile, ϕ = 450 mm

c/c distance pile, L = 1350 mm
Overall length of the cap = 2100 mm
Overall depth of the cap, h = 700 mm
Preferred size of main bars = 20 (two directions)
Dead load from column, Gk = 1100 kN (column s/w included)
Solution
Design load from column, F = 1.4 x 1100 + 1.6 x 600
= 2500 kN
Effective depth, d = 700 – 75 – 20 – 20/2
= 595 mm The effective depth
to the upper layer of
the bottom bars is
(1) Design Bottom Tension Reinforcement adopted.
Design tension per bottom chord, T = FcL / (8d)
= 2500 x 1350 / (8 x 595)
= 709 kN
As,req = 709 x 103 / (0.87 x 500)
= 1630 mm2 per chord
Check pile spacing, L/ϕ = 1350 / 450 = 3 ≤ 3
(rebars uniformly distributed over the section)
As, req (over the whole section) = 1630 x 2
= 3260 mm2
(Provide 11T20)
As,pro = 11 x 314
Chapter 7 17
= 3456 mm2
100As / bh = 100 x 3456 / (2100 x 700)
= 0.235
> 0.13 and < 4.0 (Steel ratio ok)
(2) Check Maximum Shear at the Perimeter of the Column Face

Perimeter of the column = 4 x 425
= 1700 mm
Design Shear = 2500
Maximum shear stress, vmax = 2500 x 103 / (1700 x 595)
= 2.47 MPa
≤ min(0.8√35 or 7) = 4.7 MPa ok
(3) Check Shear at Section av from Column Face

100As / bd = 100 x 3456 / (2100 x 595)
= 0.28
(400 / d)1/4 = (400 / 595)1/4
= 0.905 (> 0.67)
vc = 0.79 x 0.281/3 x 0.905 / 1.25 x (35 / 25)1/3
= 0.374 x 1.12
= 0.417 MPa
av = (1350 – 450 - 425) / 2 + 0.2x450

= 327.5 mm
Enhanced vc = 0.417 x 1.5 x 595 / 327.5
= 1.136 ( < 4.7 MPa)
Design Shear, V = 2500 / 2
= 1250 kN
Shear stress. v = 1250 x 103 / (2100 x 595)
= 1.0 < 1.136 MPa ok
(4) Check Punching Shear

As the pile spacing is not more than 3 times the pile diameter, no further checking
of punching shear is required
Q.3
?
Chapter 7 18
Chapter 7 19
Chapter 7 20
│Self-Assessment Questions│
Q.1 A column is supported by a square footing with the following design parameters:
Design Parameters

Overall depth of the footing = h
Dimensions of the column, c = 500 mm
Dead load from column, Gk = 1200 kN
(s/w of column and footing included)
(a) What is the maximum allowable shear stress?

(b) Determine the design shear force at the perimeter of column.
(c) Express the maximum shear stress at the column face in term of the effective depth, d.
(d) According to (a) and (c), determine the minimum thickness, h, of the footing.
Q.2 For the example in 7.1.6, if the size of the footing is increased to 4000 x 4000 with other
parameters remain unchanged, check the shear and re-design the reinforcement of the footing
by answering the following questions.
(a) What is the net upward soil reaction pressure?

(b) What is the design bending moment and the steel area required?
(c) If 14T20 are provided, comment on the distribution of steel and what is the value of vc?
(d) What is the maximum shear stress at the perimeter of column face?
(e) What is the value of shear stress at the section at 1.0 d from column face?
(f) What is the value of punching shear stress?
(g) Comment on the observations in the above calculations.
Chapter 7 21
Q.3 For the pile cap in example in 7.2.4, if the design loads are changed to Gk = 1200kN, Qk =
750kN and the diameter of the pile is changed to 460mm, check the shear and re-design the
reinforcement of the pile cap by answering the following questions. The c/c distance between
piles, dimensions of the cap and other design parameters remain unchanged.
(a) What is the steel area required for the bottom reinforcement over the whole section?
(b) What is the value of the maximum shear stress, vmax?
(c) If 13T20 is provided for the bottom reinforcement, what is the value of vc?
(d) What is the value of av and the enhanced vc at av from the column face?
(e) Is it necessary to check punching shear? Why?
Answers:
Q1a: 4.73MPa; Q1b: 2567kN; Q1c: 1283/d; Q1d: 352mm
Q2a: 150kPa; Q2b: 919kNm, 4275mm2;
Q2c: non-uniform distribution of bar, vc= 0.39MPa;
Q2d: 2.27MPa; Q2e: 0.35MPa; Q2f: 0.41MPa
Q2g: The section fails by punching shear. Possible solutions are, if allowable: (i) increase the amount of reinforcement, (ii) increase
the thickness of the footing or (iii) reduce the size of the footing. Interesting to note that increase in the size of the footing, though
can reduce the pressure exerted on the soil, the amount of steel and/or thickness of the footing has to be increased
correspondingly.
Q3a: 3750 mm2; Q3b: 2.85MPa; Q3c: 0.44MPa;
Q3d: 324.5mm, 1.21MPa; Q3e: No, as L/ϕ≤3.
Chapter 7 22
│Tutorial Questions│
(Present the calculations with detailed working steps in a logical, neat and tidy manner.)
AQ1 A square pad footing supporting a column at its center is shown in DWG-07.
The design parameters for the pad footing are given below. Assuming the
soil reaction pressure beneath the footing is uniformly distributed; check the
shear and design the reinforcement for the footing.
Design Parameters
Overall depth of the footing, h = 700 mm
Dimensions of the column, c = 500 mm


(This question is adapted from 2012/13 Sem 3 examination paper.)
Chapter 7 23
AQ2 A group of four piles supports a column by using a square R C pile cap as
shown in DWG-08. The design parameters for the pad footing are given
below. Check the shear and design the reinforcement for the pile cap.
Design Parameters
Diameter of pile, ϕ = 600 mm

c/c distance pile, L = 1700 mm
Overall length of the cap = 2600 mm
Overall depth of the cap, h = 750 mm


Preferred size of main bars = 32 (two directions)

Chapter 7 24

CH 7 Footing and Pile Caps

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CON4339 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

Design of Simple Footings and Pile Caps

7.1 Simple Pad Footing

7.2 Simple Pile Cap

7.1 Simple Pad Footing

The foundation of a structure is designed to transmit the load from the

Figure 7.1 – Loading and Soil Pressure

In the design of footing, two aspects have to be checked:

(i) Pressure at the bearing stratum (geotechnical design)

The first checking, or geotechnical design, is to ensure the pressure exerted

have learnt in Chapters 1 to 3, or summarized in the Annex are applicable.

7.1.1 Soil Bearing Pressure

where γs = Soil density

Soil pressure is assumed to be

Figure 7.2 - Idealized Loads and Soil Pressure of

Characteristic loads from the column = Gk and Qk

2 This method is suitable for granular soil only.

Working load from the column, Fc = Gk + Qk

7.1.2 Example – Size of Simple Pad Footing

Ignoring the soil above the founding level

7.1.3 Design Loads for Structural Design

Take note of the following:

7.1.4 Critical Sections for R C Design

pn – net upward pressure

(1) Section across column face – design

(3) Section at 1d from the

(4) Perimeter at 1.5d from the

Figure 7.3 – Critical Sections for

column starter bars.

Shear forces at the following three critical sections have to be checked:

(i) Maximum shear on the perimeter of the column face

(1) Design the reinforcement for the bending moment on the

The net upward force = pn L (L – c) / 2

Therefore, the design moment about a-b is

(2) Check the maximum shear stress at the column face

Perimeter of column face = 4c

the right-hand side of c-d = L ((L – c)/2 – d)

Therefore, the design shear force at c-d:

Then, check the shear stress against vc:

4) Check punching shear at the perimeter 1.5d from the

Rectangular perimeter at 1.5d from the face of the

Side length of e-f-g-h = c + 2 x 1.5d = c + 3d

Therefore, the design shear force at e-f-g-h:

Then, check the shear stress against vc:

v = pn [L2 – (c + 3d)2] / [4(c + 3d)d]

The value of vc should be determined by [3.2] (i.e. Table 6.3 of HKCP-

7.1.5 Distribution of Reinforcement

If the dimension of the square footing, L, is larger than 1.5(c + 3d), it is

If L ≤ 1.5(c + 3d), [7.1]

7.1.6 Example – Simple Pad Footing

Side length of the square footing, L = 3000 mm

(1) Determine Reinforcement for Bending

100As / bh = 100 x 3140 / (3000 x 600)

(2) Check Maximum Shear at the Perimeter of the Column Face

(3) Check Shear at Section 1.0d from Column Face

Compare to 0.67 (400 / d)1/4 = (400 / 520)1/4

(4) Check Punching Shear

7.2 Simple Pile Cap

7.2.1 Truss Analogy Method

Elevation Truss Analogy

Figure 7.4 – Simple Pile Cap and the Truss Analogy

The tensile force in the reinforcement can then be determined by truss

Tensile Force of the