Overview of the

Design of Footings

Engr. Flordeliza Cabang, MSCE

CIV 412 Instructor
 Lecture Goals

• Footing Classification
• Footing Design
 Footing
Definition
Footings are structural members used to support
columns and walls and to transmit and distribute
their loads to the soil in such a way that the load
bearing capacity of the soil is not exceeded,
excessive settlement, differential settlement,or
rotation are prevented and adequate safety
against overturning or sliding is maintained.
 Types of Footing
Wall footings are used to
support structural walls that
carry loads for other floors
or to support nonstructural
walls.
 Types of Footing

Isolated or single footings

are used to support single
columns. This is one of the
most economical types of
footings and is used when
columns are spaced at
relatively long distances.
 Types of Footing
Combined footings usually
support two columns, or three
columns not in a row.
Combined footings are used
when two columns are so close
that single footings cannot be
used or when one column is
located at or near a property
line.
 Types of Footing

Cantilever or strap footings

consist of two single footings
connected with a beam or a
strap and support two single
columns. This type replaces a
combined footing and is more
economical.
 Types of Footing

Continuous footings
support a row of three or
more columns. They have
limited width and continue
under all columns.
 Types of Footing
Rafted or mat foundation
consists of one footing usually
placed under the entire building
area. They are used, when soil
bearing capacity is low, column
loads are heavy single footings
cannot be used, piles are not used
and differential settlement must
be reduced.
 Types of Footing

Pile caps are thick slabs

used to tie a group of piles
together to support and
transmit column loads to the
piles.
 Distribution of Soil Pressure

When the column load P is

applied on the centroid of the
footing, a uniform pressure is
assumed to develop on the soil
surface below the footing area.

However the actual distribution of the soil is not uniform,

but depends on may factors especially the composition of
the soil and degree of flexibility of the footing.
 Distribution of Soil Pressure

Soil pressure distribution in Soil pressure distribution in

cohesionless soil. cohesive soil.
 Design Considerations
Footings must be designed to carry the column loads
and transmit them to the soil safely while satisfying
code limitations.
1. The area of the footing based on the allowable
bearing soil capacity
2. Two-way shear or punch out shear.
3. One-way bearing
4. Bending moment and steel reinforcement
required
 Design Considerations
Footings must be designed to carry the column loads
and transmit them to the soil safely while satisfying
code limitations.

1. Bearing capacity of columns at their base

2. Dowel requirements
3. Development length of bars
4. Differential settlement
 Size of Footing
The area of footing can be determined from the actual
external loads such that the allowable soil pressure is
not exceeded.
Total load (includingself - weight )
Area of footing =
allowable soil pressure
Strength design requirements
Pu
qu =
area of footing
 Two-Way Shear (Punching Shear)
For two-way shear in slabs (& footings) Vc is smallest of
 
Vc =  2 +  f c b0 d
4
ACI 11-35
 bc 
where, bc = long side/short side of column concentrated
load or reaction area < 2
b0 = length of critical perimeter around the
column

When b > 2 the allowable Vc is reduced.

 Design of two-way shear

1.Assume d.
2.Determine b0.
b0 = 4(c+d) for square columns
where one side = c

b0 = 2(c1+d) +2(c2+d)

for rectangular
columns of sides c1
and c2.
 Design of two-way shear

3.The shear force Vu acts at a

section that has a length
b0 = 4(c+d) or 2(c1+d) +2(c2+d)
and a depth d; the section is
subjected to a vertical downward
load Pu and vertical upward
pressure qu.
 Design of two-way shear

4. Allowable fVc = 4f f c b0 d

Let Vu=fVc
Vu
d=
4f f c b0
If d is not close to the assumed d,
revise your assumptions
 Design of one-way shear

For footings with bending

action in one direction the
critical section is located a
distance d from face of column

fVc = 2f f c b0 d
 Design of one-way shear

The ultimate shearing force at

section m-m can be calculated
L c 
Vu = qu b − − d 
 
2 2 

If no shear reinforcement is to be
used, then d can be checked
 Design of one-way shear

If no shear reinforcement is
to be used, then d can be
checked, assuming Vu = fVc

Vu
d=
2f f c b
Flexural Strength and Footing
reinforcement
The bending moment in each
direction of the footing must be
checked and the appropriate
reinforcement must be provided.

Mu
As =
 a 
ff y  d − 
 2
 Flexural Strength and Footing
reinforcement

Another approach is to
calculated Ru = Mu / bd2 and
determine the steel percentage
required r . Determine As then
check if assumed a is close to
calculated a

f y As
a=
0.85 f c b
Flexural Strength and Footing
reinforcement

The minimum steel percentage

required in flexural members is
200/fy with minimum area and
maximum spacing of steel bars
in the direction of bending shall
be as required for shrinkage
temperature reinforcement.
 Flexural Strength and Footing
reinforcement
The reinforcement in one-way footings
and two-way footings must be
distributed across the entire width of
the footing.

Reinforcement in band width 2

=
Total reinforcement in short direction b +1

long side of footing

where b=
short side of footing
 Bearing Capacity of Column at Base

The loads from the column act on the footing at the

base of the column, on an area equal to area of the
column cross-section. Compressive forces are
transferred to the footing directly by bearing on the
concrete. Tensile forces must be resisted by
reinforcement, neglecting any contribution by
concrete.
 Bearing Capacity of Column at Base
Force acting on the concrete at the base of the column
must not exceed the bearing strength of the concrete

N1 = f (0.85 f c A1 )

where f = 0.7 and

A1 =bearing area of column
Bearing Capacity of Column at Base
The value of the bearing strength may be multiplied by a
factor A2 / A1  2.0 for bearing on footing when the
supporting surface is wider on all sides than the loaded
area.
The modified bearing
strength

N 2  f (0.85 f c A1 ) A2 / A1
N 2  2f (0.85 f c A1 )
 Dowels in Footings

A minimum steel ratio r = 0.005 of the column section

as compared to r = 0.01 as minimum reinforcement for
the column itself. The number of dowel bars needed is
four these may be placed at the four corners of the
column. The dowel bars are usually extended into the
footing, bent at the ends, and tied to the main footing
reinforcement. The dowel diameter shall not exceed
the diameter of the longitudinal bars in the column by
more than 0.15 in.
 Development length of the
Reinforcing Bars
The development length for compression bars was given

ld = 0.02 f y d b / fc

but not less than

0.003 f y d b  8 in.

Dowel bars must be checked for proper development

length.
 Differential Settlement
Footing usually support the following loads:

1. Dead loads from the substructure and superstructure

2. Live load resulting from material or occupancy
3. Weight of material used in back filling
4. Wind loads
General Requirements for Footing Design

1. A site investigation is required to determine the

chemical and physical properties of the soil.
2. Determine the magnitude and distribution of
loads form the superstructure.
3. Establish the criteria and the tolerance for the
total and differential settlements of the structure.
General Requirements for Footing Design

4. Determine the most suitable and economic type

of foundation.
5. Determine the depth of the footings below the
ground level and the method of excavation.
6. Establish the allowable bearing pressure to be
used in design.
General Requirements for Footing Design

7. Determine the pressure distribution beneath the

footing based on its width
8. Perform a settlement analysis.