CE162P Combined Footing Analysis

CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design

Combined Footings
Fundamental Insights

A combined footing might be economical where two or more heavily

loaded columns are so spaced that normally designed single-column
footings would run into each other.

Single-column footings are usually square or rectangular and, when used for columns located right
at property lines, extend across those lines.

A footing for such a column combined with one for an interior column can be designed to fit within
the property lines.

Combined footings support more than one column. One situation in which they may be used is
when the columns are so close together that isolated individual footings would run into each other.
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Intended Purpose

Because it is desirable to make bearing pressures uniform throughout the footing, the
centroid of the footing should be made to coincide with the centroid of the column loads to
attempt to prevent uneven settlements.

This can be accomplished with combined footings that are rectangular in plan.

Should the interior column load be greater than that of the exterior column, the footing
may be so proportioned that its centroid will be in the correct position by extending the
inward projection of the footing
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design

Economical Combined Footings

Other combined footing shapes that will enable the designer to make the centroids
Economic Requirements

coincide are the trapezoid and strap or T footings

Footings with these shapes are usually economical when there are large differences
between the magnitudes of the column loads or where the spaces available do not lend
themselves to long rectangular footings.

When trapezoidal footings are used, the longitudinal bars are usually arranged in a fan
shape with alternate bars cut off some distance from the narrow end.

Design Methods

First, the required area of the footing is determined for the service loads, and the footing
dimensions are selected so that the centroids coincide.

The various loads are then multiplied by the appropriate load factors, and the shear and
moment diagrams are drawn along the long side of the footing for these loads.
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design

The depth for one- and two-way shear is determined and the reinforcing in the long direction is selected.

In the short direction, it is assumed that each column load is spread over a width in the long direction
equal to the column width plus d/2 on each side if that much footing is available.
Design Methods

Then the steel is designed, and a minimum amount of steel for temperature and shrinkage is provided in
the remaining part of the footing.
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Design Methods
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Design Methods
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design

Design a rectangular combined footing to support two columns A and B spaced at distance 2.1 m
center-to-center is 20 cm × 30 cm and carries a dead load of 20 tons and a live load of 10 tons.
Column B is 20 cm × 40 cm in cross section but carries a dead load of 30 tons and a live load of 15
tons. Width of footing is not to exceed 1.0 m, and there is no property line restriction.
Articulation
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Articulation
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Articulation
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Articulation
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Articulation
 CE162P-2
Principles of Foundation Design
Articulation