Scribd
Upload
45 views4 pages

Shallow Foundation Design Concept

Uploaded by

bereket g
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
45 views4 pages

Shallow Foundation Design Concept

Uploaded by

bereket g
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Shallow Foundation Design Concept

Shallow foundations are structural elements that transfer the load of a building or structure to the
ground at or near the surface. These foundations are typically used when the soil near the surface has
sufficient bearing capacity to support the structure's loads. Shallow foundations are often used for
smaller buildings or structures with light loads.

1. Types of Shallow Foundations

 Spread Footings: These are the most common type, consisting of a slab that spreads the load
from a column or wall to the soil beneath.

o Isolated Footing: A separate footing for each column.

o Combined Footing: A single slab that serves two or more columns, typically used when
columns are too close to each other.

o Slab and Beam Footing: A footing with a beam that connects the slabs under columns.

 Strip Footing: Used for load-bearing walls. A continuous strip of concrete under the entire
length of a wall.

 Raft or Mat Foundation: A large, thick slab of concrete that supports the entire structure, often
used when soil conditions are poor.

 Slab Foundation: A reinforced concrete slab that rests directly on the ground and is used for
low-rise buildings with moderate to light loads.

2. Design Considerations

The design of a shallow foundation requires understanding both the structural loads and the soil
conditions. The following factors are considered:

 Soil Bearing Capacity: The ability of the soil to support the loads from the structure. This is
typically determined from soil testing (e.g., Standard Penetration Test, Plate Load Test).

o Common units: kN/m2kN/m^2 or ton/m2ton/m^2.

 Settlement: The foundation design must minimize excessive settlement, which can lead to
structural damage. The total settlement is the combined effect of the immediate settlement
(elastic deformation) and consolidation settlement (soil compression over time).

 Load Distribution: Understanding how the building loads are distributed to the foundation is
essential for designing the size and shape of the footings.

 Frost Heave: In cold climates, the foundation must be designed to resist damage from freezing
and thawing of the soil.
 Water Table: The depth of the groundwater table can affect the design. If the water table is
high, waterproofing and drainage must be included to prevent uplift or erosion.

3. Steps in Shallow Foundation Design

1. Determine Loads: Calculate the loads that the foundation will need to support, including dead
load (weight of the building), live load (occupants, furniture), and environmental loads (wind,
seismic forces).

2. Soil Investigation: Perform geotechnical investigations to understand the soil properties. These
properties will help determine the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics.

3. Select Foundation Type: Choose the most appropriate type of shallow foundation based on the
structure and site conditions.

4. Footing Sizing: Calculate the required size of the foundation, which depends on:

o The bearing capacity of the soil

o The total applied load

o The acceptable level of settlement

5. Reinforcement Design: Design the required reinforcement in the foundation. This involves
calculating the required steel bars to handle bending, shear, and axial forces.

6. Check for Stability: Verify that the foundation does not experience excessive settlement,
overturning, or sliding. The factors of safety should be considered to ensure the foundation is
stable.

4. Formulae and Calculation Example

Bearing Capacity of Soil (Ultimate)

The ultimate bearing capacity quq_u of a soil can be estimated using the following formula:

qu=cNc+σ⋅Nq+0.5⋅γ⋅B⋅Nγq_u = cN_c + \sigma \cdot N_q + 0.5 \cdot \gamma \cdot B \cdot N_{\gamma}

Where:

 cc = Cohesion of soil

 σ\sigma = Effective vertical stress at the foundation depth

 γ\gamma = Unit weight of the soil

 BB = Width of the footing

 Nc,Nq,NγN_c, N_q, N_{\gamma} = Bearing capacity factors, which depend on the soil's angle of
internal friction (ϕ\phi).
Settlement Calculation

The total settlement ΔS\Delta S can be computed by considering both elastic and consolidation
settlements:

ΔS=ΔSelastic+ΔSconsolidation\Delta S = \Delta S_{elastic} + \Delta S_{consolidation}

Where:

 ΔSelastic\Delta S_{elastic} = Immediate elastic settlement

 ΔSconsolidation\Delta S_{consolidation} = Time-dependent settlement due to soil consolidation


under sustained loads.

5. Factors Affecting Shallow Foundation Design

 Soil Type: Cohesive soils (clay) or granular soils (sand, gravel) have different bearing capacities
and settlement characteristics.

 Depth of Foundation: Shallow foundations are typically placed at depths of 1 to 3 meters,


depending on soil and load requirements.

 Load Intensity: The more concentrated the load, the larger the foundation must be to spread it
out effectively.

 Shape of Footing: The shape and dimensions of the footing (square, rectangular, circular) affect
the load distribution and required area.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Shallow Foundations

Advantages:

 Cost-effective: Shallow foundations generally require less material and are less expensive to
construct.

 Simpler Construction: Easier and faster to build compared to deep foundations.

 Suitable for Lighter Loads: Ideal for small to medium structures on stable soil.

Disadvantages:

 Limited Load Capacity: Not suitable for very heavy structures or poor soil conditions.

 Vulnerable to Settlement: If the soil's bearing capacity is low, excessive settlement can occur.

 May Not Be Suitable for High-Rise Structures: For tall buildings, deep foundations (e.g., pile
foundations) may be required due to the high load and poor soil conditions.
In summary, shallow foundation design involves selecting the appropriate type based on the site and
structural requirements, performing soil analysis, and ensuring stability and adequate performance
under load conditions.

You might also like