Shallow Foundation

A foundation is a structural member and supports a superstructure. So an

awareness of the sources and nature of structural loads, the structures tolerance of
foundation movements, and an understanding of groundstructure interaction is also
needed. Finally, the foundations must be built economically and safely. Hence, a
designer needs to have an appreciation of construction methods and equipment, in
order to develop a design that is practical to build.
In the vast majority of cases, a foundation design is developed on the basis of
an appreciation of the site geology, the nature of the proposed structure and any
particular site constraints. The role of analysis is then to check that a proposed
foundation design will be acceptable. Although analysis is important it is just one part
of the overall design process.
Shallow foundation typically comprise pad, strip or raft foundations; refer to
Figure 1: Pad foundations, which may be square, circular or rectangular. A pad
foundation usually only supports one or two columns. Strip foundations (Figure 2) are
commonly used to provide support to a load-bearing wall or for several closely spaced
columns. The length of a strip foundation is much greater than its width. A raft
foundation (Figure 3) could support the entire structure or a substantial part of it. A
compensated raft (also known as a buoyant raft) is a special type of raft. It includes
a void, thereby reducing the net increase in bearing pressure on the ground below the
foundation. This will increase the factor of safety against bearing capacity failure and
reduce foundation settlement, compared with a conventional raft.
The structural form of shallow foundations can vary, but pad and strip
foundations could comprise either mass concrete or reinforced concrete, whereas raft
foundations usually comprise reinforced concrete. The soil resistance to the loads
applied by the structure is predominantly developed by the near-surface soil below the
base of the foundation. Shallow foundations are usually constructed using simple
excavation plant and general labour. Tomlinson et al. (1987) gives useful advice on
routine foundation design for low-rise buildings.

Figure 1: Pad Footing

Figure 2: Strip Footing

Figure 3: Raft Footing

Design Calculation for Shallow Foundation using Eurocode 7 Part 1

The basis for design calculation as set out in the Code and then how it is
applied in straightforward foundation design (for the GEO ultimate limit states) and
for SLS design. In principle, DA-1 requires two separate calculations to be performed
in which the GEO and STR are examined using two different combinations of sets of

partial factors.
DA-1: Combination 1
This is expressed symbolically as:
A1 + M1 + R1
where:
- the symbol A represents the sets of partial factors for the actions F or
for the effects of actions E ;
- the symbol M represents the sets of partial factors M for strength
(material) parameters of the ground.
- the symbol R represents the sets of partial factors for resistance R
- the symbol + means used in combination with.
Set A1 indicates G = 1.35 and Q = 1.5. Calculations of actions and resistances
from the ground are performed using design values of ground properties equal to their
characteristic values since (Set M1) indicates = c = cu = qu =
= 1.0 while it can be seen that, in Combination 1, caution is applied primarily to the
structural actions.
DA-1: Combination 2
This Combination covers the case in which caution is applied primarily to ground
properties.
Combination 2 is expressed symbolically as:
A2 + M2 + R1
in which the permanent actions from the structure are at their representative
values ( G = 1.0, Set A2) while any unfavourable, variable actions from the
structure are increased, by a relatively small amount, above their representative value
( Q = 1.3, Set A2).
Calculations of actions and resistances from the ground are performed using
design values of ground properties below their characteristic values ( = c =
1.25, cu = qu = 1.4, Set M2), while any contribution from the weight of the
ground is at its characteristic value ( = 1.0, Set M2), since there is less
uncertainty about ground weight density than there is about ground strength.
Since in DA-1 actions and resistances from the ground are generally
calculated using factored ground material properties (set M) and not from
geotechnical element resistances, the resistance factors, R, (set R1) are not used.
However, as we shall see later, the design of piles and anchorages is a notable
exception to this general rule. Below is the sample calculation for shallow foundation
for the loading of 600 kN using Borehole 3 SPT value. The other range of loadings
and boreholes are being calculated and tabulated for an easier reference.

Square Foundation using BH3 SPT value

Design for Design Load of 600 kN
ULS and SLS Design

0.5m

Df

B
(Drawing not to scale)
Soil Description: Sand
SPT value - 11
s;k, characteristic weight density of soil 12.3 kN/m3
c;k, characteristic weight density of concrete 24kN/m3
c, cohesion 0 kPa
' , angle of internal friction 29.5
Df = 1 m
d = 0.5 m
Assume: B x B = 2 m x 2 m
Ultimate Bearing Capacity

Clauses
6.5.2

Required:
V d Rd
Vd Design value of the vertical load (action)
Rd Design value of resistance to vertical load (action)

6.5.2.1(1)
Eqn 6.1

Permanent, vertical characteristic Load (actions)

Imposed vertical load on column
600kN
Weight of Foundation:

0.5

Wt. of rising column (1

0.5
24)
6kN

Wt. of foundation pad (2

2
0.5
24)
48kN
Wt. of backfill ((2 2 1) (0.5 0.5 1)) 12.3
46.1kN
_________ 2.4.7.3.4.2
Total Characteristic (actual) Permanent Load
700.1kN
Design Approach 1-2

By using General equation of Meyerhoffs bearing capacity for vertical

loads:
2.4.7.3.4.2
qult =c N c s c d c +q N q s q d q+ 0.5 B N s d
Table A3
(Permanen
Combination 1-2 : A1 + M2 + R1
t
Unfav.)
Partial Factor of Safety for Action, G = 1.35 ; Q = 1.5
Design Load (A1)
Vd = G x Vk
Vd = 1.35 x 700.1
Vd = 945.1kN
Partial Factor of Safety for Material,
= 1.0

'

= 1.25 ;

Design Strength (M1)

' = 29.5 1.25
' d = 23.6
c = 0kPa
s;d = 12.8 kN/m3

c'

Table A4
(Ang. of
= 1.25 ; Internal
Friction,
Cohesion,
Unit
Weight)
Table A4
(Unit
Weight)

Soil Surcharge, Design value adjacent to footing (q) (M1)

q = qk
q = (1.5 12.8) 1.0
q = 19.2 kPa
Design Bearing Resistance (R1)
R = 1.0
Rd = Rk 1.0
Rd = qult Area of footing
qult =c N c s c d c +q N q s q d q+ 0.5 B N s d
where,
N q=

1+sin
e
( 1sin
)

tan

N =( N q 1 ) tan ( 1.4 )
N c=

N q1
tan

N q=9.21
N =5.34

Table A5
(R1.
Bearing)

N c =18.79
s =10.3
s q=1+

L
B

B
sin
L

s c =1+0.2

B
L

s =0.7
s q=1.49
s c =1.2

d c =d q =d =1.0
qult =0 ( 18.79 )( 1.2 ) +19.2 ( 9.21 )( 1.49 ) +0.5 ( 2 ) ( 12.8 ) (5.34 ) ( 0.7 )
qult =311.3 kPa
Rd = 311.3 x 4
Rd = 1245.2 kN
Checking:
From above calculation:
Vd

Rd

945.1kN

1245.2 kN

Footing size 2m x 2m is acceptable for the given loading at the depth

Settlement
There will not be any settlement as the soil is SAND.
The table below represents the size of the shallow footing in regards to the
column load that is imposed to the footing. The ratio of design resistance: design
action is to show the differences between the action (load) that has been factored by
partial factor of safety and the material and reaction (resistance) that has also been
factored by the partial factor of safety. The ratio of more than 1 indicates safe design.
Column
Load (kN)

Size
(m x m)

BH1

BH2

BH3

600 - 1000

2.0 x 2.0

1.25

Design Resistance
Design Action
1.82
1.32

1000 - 2000

2.5 x 2.5

1.18

1.74

Ratio :

1.25

BH4

1.22
1.15