Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

6.11.2 Design of Trapezoidal Combined Footings

This type of footing is used in two cases:-

S
(1) If the column which has too limited space
carries the maximum load. In this case, the Pu1
resultant of the column loads (including Pu2
moments) will be closer to the larger column
load; and doubling the centroid distance as
done for the rectangular footing will not c. g.
provide sufficient length to reach the interior b a
column as shown in the figure beside. b1 b2

L L
(2) If  x   ; this limitation is derived from
3 2

Property line
the property of a trapezoid as follows: Rectangular footing is
too short to reach col.(2)
ab
Area = A = ( ).L Resultant
2
L 2a  b L
Centroid = x   ( )
3 ab
It is seen that the solution for (a = 0) is a triangle and for (a = b) is a rectangle, therefore, a
L L
trapezoid solution exists only for  x   .
3 2
In most cases, trapezoidal footing is used with only two columns, however, it can be used for
more than two columns. But, due to variable reinforcing steel required for variable footing width and
variable soil pressure, the strap footing is preferred in comparison with trapezoidal one.

Steps of Design:
(1) Convert the loads into ultimate:
Allowable loads:  P  ( DL  LL).col.1  ( DL  LL).col.2
Pu1  1.2.DL  1.6.LL
Pu 2  1.2.DL  1.6.LL

Ultimate loads:  P ult.  Pu 1  Pu 2

 Pult .
Ultimate.ratio.(ru ) 
P
Ultimate applied pressure (q ult . ) or 𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 (𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑) : q u  q a ..(ru )

14
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

(2) Area and dimensions of the footing:

 Locate the center of footing:
Taking moment about column (1); gives x  ? :
Pu 2 .S  (Pu 1 .  Pu 2 ).x ; x ?
b
x   x  1 …………………..………………..... (i) b 1 2 a
2 b b bb2
But, from moment of areas about the big end: b1

L 2a  b
x  ( ) ……………………………….... (ii)
3 ab
Equating (i) and (ii) gives:
b 1 L 2a  b
x = ( ) …………………..……….. (iii) a 1 2 b
2 3 ab b b bb2
b1
 Determine the area of footing:

 Pult . ab Note: If large end dimension = a

A ( ) L ……...………………… (iv) and small end = b; then
q ult . 2

By solving Eqs. (iii) and (iv), determine a and b.

(3) Check: (a) Bearing capacity [S.F.  3.0] and (b) Settlement [S  .S allowable ].

(4) Draw shear and moment diagrams and determine soil pressure at sectional
points below the footing: Pu1
Pu2
Soil pressure at big end = q ult . (b) …..(kN/m)
Soil pressure at small end = q ult . (a ) …..(kN/m) a
b

x
Shear: V = area of load =  q.dx L
0
Soil pressure Soil pressure
x at big end at small end
Moment: M = area of shear  V.dx  (kN/m) (kN/m)
0
Shear diagram
for +ve. moment put steel on bottom. V (kN)

for -ve. moment put steel on top.

Moment diagram
M (kN-m)

15
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

(5) Determine the thickness of footing.

Pu1
(a) Check wide−beam shear at (d) from columns faces: Pu2

𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙. = 0.17  √f′c where,  = 0.75

B small end
B big end
d d a
𝑉 (𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) b
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. =
𝐵 (𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 𝑑
x
x
 Wide−beam shear from small end: L
V = V(small end); the shear value at (d) from column (2).

q (big end)

q (small end)
(kN/m)

(kN/m)
B = B(small end); the width at (d) from column (2).

 Wide−beam shear from big end:

Shear diagram
V = V(big end); the shear value at (d) from column (1).

V (kN)

V small end
B = B(big end); the width at (d) from column (1).

V big end
(b) Check punching shear at (d/2) from columns faces:
Pu1
𝑃 𝑐𝑜𝑙.
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙. = 0.33  √f′c where,  = 0.75 ; 𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. = Pu2
𝑏𝑜 𝑑
𝑃𝑢1
 Punching shear−col.(1): 𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. 𝑐𝑜𝑙.(1) = d/2
d/2
𝑏 𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑙.(1) 𝑑
b d/2 d/2 a
𝑃𝑢2
 Punching shear−col.(2): 𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. 𝑐𝑜𝑙.(2) = d/2 d/2
𝑏 𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑙.(2) 𝑑

(6) Determine steel reinforcement in each direction:

b1+0.75d
x Mu(1-1) As A s min. B
b2 +0.75d
L - Direction
variabl
e b1 b2
or
take b a
B - Direction 2 2
Bavg.
use As(min.)

Then proceeds with other design steps as before:

(7) Check bond in short direction.
(8) Check bearing pressure between the columns and footing.
(9) Design the dowels.
(10) Sketch the footing showing all details required for construction.

16
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

Problem (6.14): (Design of Trapezoidal Combined footing)

Design a reinforced concrete trapezoidal combined for the following data:

Column (1) Column (2)

Column (1) Column (2)
46 cm × 46 cm 46 cm × 46 cm
5.48 m
D.L.. = 1200 kN D.L.. = 900 kN

Property line
L.L.. = 816 kN L.L.. = 660 kN
f c = 21 MPa, f y = 415 MPa, and q all . =190 kPa.

Solution:

(1) Convert the loads into ultimate:

Pult .(1)  1.2D.L  1.6L.L = 1.2(200) + 1.6(816) = 2745.6 kN
Pult .(2)  1.2D.L  1.6L.L = 1.2(900) + 1.6(660) = 2136 kN
 p = (1200 + 816) + (900 + 600) = 3576 kN
5.48 m
 p ult . = 2745.6 + 2136 = 4881.6 kN
4881.6 Pu1 = 2745.6 kN
q ult .  (190)  259.4.kPa
3576 Pu2 = 2136 kN

(2) Area and dimensions of footing:

c. g.
 Locate the center of footing: b a
b2
Taking moment about column (1), gives ( x ): b1

2136 (5.5) = 4881.6 ( x )

= 2.406 m
Property line

x = 2.406 m
= 2.636 m
b 0.46
x   x  1  2.406   2.636 m
2 2
Resultant = 4881.6 kN
L L 
Check:   1.98m  x   2.636m   2.97m. 
3 2  L = 5.94 m

 Trapezoid solution is (O.K.)

But, from moment of areas about the big end, x  will be
L 2a  b 5.94 2a  b
x  ( );  2.636  ( )
3 ab 3 ab
2a  b
 1.331 …………………..……..……..... (i)
ab

17
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

 Determine the area of footing:

 Pult . 4881.6 𝑎+ 𝑏 𝑎+ 𝑏
A   18.819.m 2 ; But: A = ( )L;  18.819 = ( ) 5.94
q ult . 259.4 2 2

a + b = 6.336 …….…………..………….……... (ii)

Solving Eqs.(i) and (ii) gives: a = 2.097m and b = 4.239m

Use a = 2.10m and b = 4.25m.

(3) Draw shear and moment diagrams:

soil pressure at big end = q𝑢𝑙𝑡. × (𝑏) = 259.4(4.25) = 1102.45 kN/m
soil pressure at small end = q𝑢𝑙𝑡. × (𝑎) = 259.4(2.10) = 544.74 kN/m
soil pressure at sectional points from big end: 𝑞𝑥 = 1102.45 – (1102.45 – 544.74)(x /5.94)
soil pressure at sectional points from small end: 𝑞𝑥 = 544.74 + (1102.45 – 544.74)(x /5.94)

𝑥 2745.6 kN
Shear: V = ∫0 𝑞 𝑑𝑥 = 1102.45 x – 93.89 x2/2 + C1 2136 kN

X (m) C1 (kN) V (kN)

4.25m 2.10m
0.23 0 +251.1
0.23 + dx −2745.6 −2494.5
0.46 −2745.6 −2248.4 5.94m

544.74 (kN/m)
5.48 −2745.6 +1886
1102.45 (kN/m)

5.71 −2745.6 +2018.8

5.71 + dx −2745.6 −117.2 𝒒𝒙
x
For V = 0: 1102.45 x – 46.945 x2 = 2745.6; x =2.832m 2018.8
1886
251.1
Moment: V (kN)
𝑥
M= ∫0 𝑉 𝑑𝑥 = 1102.45 x2/2 – 93.89 x3/6 + C1x + C2 117.2

0 2248.4
X (m) C1 (kN) M (kN-m) 2494.5
0.23 0 +28.9 28.9
13.5
0.46 −2745.6 (0.46 − 0.23) −516.4 M (kN-m)
2.832 (max.) −2745.6 (2.832 − 0.23) −3078.5 436.1
516.4
5.48 −2745.6 (5.48 − 0.23) −436.1
3078.5
5.71 −2745.6 (5.71 − 0.23) +13.5
(5) for +ve.the
Determine moment put steel
thickness ofon bottom.
footing.
for -ve. moment put steel on top.

18
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

(a) Check wide-beam shear at (d) from faces of columns:

2745.6 kN
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙. = 0.17  √f′c = 0.17(0.75) 21  584 kPa 2136 kN

𝑉 (𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)

B small end
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. =

B big end
𝐵 (𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 𝑑 d d
4.25m 2.10m

Note: find depth for wide−beam shear from small end

x
and check two−way action at big end. x

544.74 (kN/m)
Vbig 2248.4 5.94m
  1.2

1102.45 (kN/m)
Shear ratio:
Vsmall 1886
b 4.25
Width ratio:   2.0  1.2 x
a 2.10
2018.8
since the width ratio is much larger than the shear ratio, 1886
251.1
(d) will probably based on the small end shear.
V (kN)

 Wide−beam shear from small end: 117.2

x  (0.46  d) 2248.4
2494.5
x2
Vx  544.74  93.89  2136  544.74(0.46  d)  46.945(0.46  d ) 2  2136
2
4.25  2.1
Bx  2.1  (0.46  d)  2.1 + 0.362 (0.46+d)
5.94
Put 𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = 𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙 . and solve for (d)

544.74(0.46  d )  46.945(0.46  d ) 2  2136

584  ; solving for (d) gives: d ≈ 0.87m
2.1 + 0.362 (0.46 + d).d
Use d = 0.9m

 Wide−beam shear from big end:

x  (0.46  d)

Vx  1102.45.x  46.945.x 2  2745.6  1102.45(0.46  d)  46.945(0.46  d) 2  2745.6

4.25  2.1
Bx  4.25  (0.46  d)  4.25 − 0.362 (0.46+d)
5.94
1102.45(1.36)  46.945(1.36) 2  2745.6
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙  = 394 kPa < 584 kPa (O.K.)
4.25  0.362 (1.36).0.9
∴Use d = 0.9m
(b) Check punching shear at (d/2) from faces of columns:

19
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

Usually punching shear must be checked around each column. But, due to equal columns
dimensions, punching occurs under column subjected to maximum load (in this case,
Column 1).
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙. = 0.33  √f′c = 0.33(0.75) 21  1134 kPa
𝑃 𝑐𝑜𝑙.
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. =
𝑏𝑜 𝑑

 Punching shear−col.(1):
Col.(1) = 0.46m x 0.46m
2745.6
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. = 2745.6 kN Col.(2) = 0.46m x 0.46m
𝑐𝑜𝑙.(1)
0.91  1.36  0.9.0.9 2136 kN
= 959 kPa < 1134 kPa (O.K.)
d/2 d/2
 Punching shear−col.(2): d/2 d/2
4.25m 2.10m
2136 d/2 d/2
𝑣𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡. =
𝑐𝑜𝑙.(2)
0.91  1.36  0.9.0.9
= 746 kPa < 1134 kPa (O.K.)

(6) Determine steel reinforcement in each direction:

Since the width varies, check A s for several locations as shown in table below.
 Steel in long − direction:
M u (11) , kN-m
x, m B, m A s , cm2/m A𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧. , cm2/m A s Total , cm2
from M−Diagram
0 0 4.25 0.0 0
0.6 −821 4.03 6.7 30.3 27
1.2 −1897 3.82 16.4 63
1.8 −2616 3.60 24.0 87
2.4 −2999 3.38 29.3 99
2.832 (max.) −3079 3.22 31.6 102
3.0 −3067 3.16 32.1 101
3.6 −2839 2.95 31.8 94
4.8 −1578 2.51 20.8 52
5.94 0 2.10 0.0 0

Asmin. = ρmin. b. d; where, ρmin. is the larger of:

1.4/fy = 1.4/415 = 0.00337 or 0.25√f ′ c /fy = 0.25 √21 /415 = 0.00276
Asmin. = ρmin. b. d = 0.00337(1.0)(0.9)(100)2 = 30.3 cm2

20
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

25mm / 10
Using size 25 mm  : t  90   7.5  98.75 cm; Use t = 100 cm.
2
ASmin.(Temp. & 𝑠hrinkage) = 0.0020 b t = 0.0020(1.0)(1.0)(100)2 = 20.0 cm2

At (x) = 2.832 m , and the width (B) = 3.22 m

Mu 3078.5(10 3 )
As  = (100) 2  31.6 cm2/m > Asmin. = 30.3 cm2/m
0.9.fy.0.9d 0.9(415)(0.9)(0.9)
1
 Use As = 31.6 cm2/m
As(Total)  (31.6)(3.22) = 101.75 cm2

2.10m
4.25m
Use size.25.mm. ; A bar = 4.91 cm2
As 101.75
Number of bars: N  =  21 bars
Area..of .bar 4.91
1
From these bars use 11 bars across the footing center at
210  15
Spacing.(c / c) =  19.5 cm (on top and bottom) and the remaining 10 bars must be
11  1
distributed across both sides of the footing center, however, other configurations of
placement may be possible.

 Steel in short−direction:
This steel is located at bottom below and in between the columns.
b1+0.75d
 Strip (1) at big end:
b2 +0.75d
0.46 + 0.75(0.9) = 1.135 m
B1 = 4.25 m b1 b2
use As(min.)
4.25  2.1 4.25m 2.10m
B2  4.25  (1.135)  3.84 m 2 2
5.94 𝐁𝐚𝐯𝐠. = (𝒂 + 𝒃)/𝟐
4.25  3.84
Bavg.   4.04 m Strip (2)
2 Strip (1) Strip (3)
2745.6
Soil pressure =  598.77 kPa 5.94m
(1.135)(4.04)

21
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

2
 4.04  0.46  Strip (1)
598.77 
Mu(2  2)   2   959.259 kN-m 2745.6 kN
2
dshort = d − dbar = 90 – 2.5 (for size.25.mm. ) = 87.5 cm

4.25m

0.46 m

4.04m
Mu 959.259(103 )
As   (100) 2
0.9.fy.0.9d 0.9(415)(0.9)(0.875) 2 2
. 1.8m .
= 32.6 cm2/m
Asmin. = ρmin. b. d = 0.00337(1.0)(0.875)(100)2 = 29.5 cm2/m 1.135m

< A s  32.6 cm2/m

 Use As = 32.6 cm2/m and A s ( total) = 32.6 (1.135) = 37.0 cm2

Use size.22.mm. ; A bar = 3.80 cm2

37.0 113.5  7.5

Number of bars: N =  10 bars @ spacing =  11.5 cm c/c.
3.80 10  1
 Use 10 bars size 22 mm  at 11.5 cm c/c (on bottom).

 Strip (2) at small end:

Strip (2)
0.46 + 0.75(0.9) = 1.135 m
2136 kN
B1 = 2.10 m

4.25  2.1
B2  2.10  (1.135)  2.51 m

2.10m
0.46 m

5.94 2.27m
2.10  2.51
Bavg.   2.31 m 2 2
2 . 0.905 .

2136
Soil pressure =  814.692 kPa 1.135m
(1.135)( 2.31)
2
 2.31  0.46 
814.692 
Mu(2  2) 
 2   348.535 kN-m ; dshort = 87.5 cm
2
Mu 348.535(10  3 )
As  = (100) 2  11.85 cm2/m < Asmin. = 29.5 cm2/m
0.9.fy.0.9d 0.9(415)(0.9)(0.875)
 A s ( total) = 29.5 (1.135) = 33.5 cm2

22
Foundation Engineering Chapter 6: Structural Design of Footings

Use size.22.mm. ; A bar = 3.80 cm2

33.5 113.5  7.5
Number of bars: N =  9 bars @ spacing =  13 cm c/c.
3.80 9 1
 Use 9 bars size 22 mm  at 13 cm c/c (on bottom).

 Strip (3) in between columns:

Use Asmin. = 29.5 cm2/m

L = 5.94 – [0.46 + 0.46 + 1.5(0.9)] = 3.67m
A s ( total) = 29.5 (3.67) = 108.26 cm2

Use size.22.mm. ; A bar = 3.80 cm2

108.26 367
Number of bars: N =  29 bars @ spacing =  13 cm c/c.
3.80 29  1
 Use 29 bars size 22 mm  at 13 cm c/c (on bottom).

Then proceeds with other design steps as before:

(7) Check bond in short direction.
(8) Check bearing pressure between the columns and footing.
(9) Design the dowels.
(10) Sketch the footing showing all design details.
Col.(1)
0.46m x 0.46m
Col.(2)
0.46m x 0.46m

2.10m
4.25m

5.94 m

mm mm
21−ϕ25 mm at 19.5 cm placed as shown above.
Run 11 bars for full length of footing.

29−ϕ22 mm at 13 cm c/c (varied lengths)

1.0m

1.135m 21−ϕ25 mm at 19.5 cm placed as shown above. 1.135m

10−ϕ22 mm Run 11 bars for full length of footing. 9−ϕ22 mm
at 11.5 cm c/c. at 13 cm c/c.

23