FOUNDATION CALCULATION

GENERAL DEFINITION

TOWER FOUNDATION
BASE PRESSURE CALCULATIONS
a) Footing subjected moments about one axis only :
If a footing subjected to a moment about one axis only, the soil pressure distributionis determined as shown
in below figure

ΣQ

ΣM Q : Total axial forces (tower, soil and concrete weight)

Mx : Moment on X direction
My : Moment on Y direction

∑ Q uniform soil pressure

due to concentric load
B × L

±
∑M ≡
6e ∑ Q soil pressure
due to moment
B × L2 B × L2

qMAX ≡
∑Q × ⎛⎜1 + 6e ⎞⎟
qmin

B× L ⎝ L⎠ soil pressures
qmax

due to vertical
q MIN ≡
∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 − 6e ⎞⎟ load and moment
compression B×L ⎝ L⎠
only

The above procedure is valid whenever the calculated eccentricity is smaller than the value
corresponding compression loading limit, or
L
Eccentricity e ≤
6
2 × ∑Q
If e = L/6, Soil Pressure : qMAX ≡ > qMIN ≡ 0
B× L

Page 1 of 8
 FOUNDATION CALCULATION
GENERAL DEFINITION

If resultant force is outside of middle third ( or e>L/6) the soil pressure should be calculated as shown
below table;

ΣQ width of footing = B
ΣQ R e>L/6
ΣH ΣQ = 1/2 * q * B * x
2∑ Q
ΣH q ≡ or
B × X
L/2-e e L/2
q≡
4
×
∑Q
L 3 B × (L − 2e)
ΣQ
q

X = 3*(L/2-e)
compression
zone zero pressure zone

b) Footing subjected moments about both axis :

When moments act simultaneously about both axis ( eccentricities e1 and e2 ), the soil pressures may be
calculated by the foolowing general equations, provided that the entire area of the base is in compression (
6e1/L + 6e2/B < 1 ) as shown below figure.

q≡
∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 ± 6e 1
±
6e2 ⎞
⎟
B×L ⎝ L B ⎠
The above procedure assumes that the soil pressure distribution is planar. Therefore the soil pressure at the
corner points of the base are :

qMAX ≡ qA ≡
∑Q × ⎛⎜1+ 6e 1
+
6e2 ⎞
⎟ qC ≡
∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 + 6e 1
−
6e2 ⎞
⎟
B× L ⎝ L B ⎠ B× L ⎝ L B ⎠

qB ≡
∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 − 6e 1
+
6e2 ⎞
⎟ qMIN ≡ qD ≡
∑Q × ⎛⎜1 − 6e 1
−
6e2 ⎞
⎟
B× L ⎝ L B ⎠ B× L ⎝ L B ⎠
When 6e 1/L + 6e2/B = 1 minimum soil pressure will be equal to zero, or :

q MIN ≡ q D ≡ 0 q MAX ≡ qA ≡
2× ∑ Q
B × L

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 FOUNDATION CALCULATION
GENERAL DEFINITION

ΣQ ΣQ

ΣM1 ΣM2
e1 ≡
∑ M 1
e2 ≡
∑ M 2

∑ Q ∑ Q
L B 6e1/L + 6e2/B < 1

L/2 L/2 Point of

QB
Applicationof ΣQ
e1 resultant
e1
e2 B/2 QA
e2
B
B/2

QD
QC

q≡
∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 ± 6e 1
±
6e2 ⎞
⎟
B×L ⎝ L B ⎠

When moments are large, 6e1/L+6e1/B value may be bigger than unity, in other words the above equation
may give negative values (or tension). We have discussed that the tension is not permitted at the base but a
zero pressure zone may be tolerated if the footing rest on rock. The following procedure of trial and error may
be used for calculating soil pressures for a footing subjected large moments. This method may be applied to
the rectangular footings when the resultant force acts outside of kern of the base as shown below figure.
Point of
L
application
bb of resultant
L/2 L/2
B A
K
G
e1 B/2
E e2
B
Shaded Area
(Area of Zero B/2
Pressure
H
D F C

qA=qmax
bc
EF : Zero pressure line obtained from
b
general equation assuming tension ba
at corner D

ΣQ
L

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 FOUNDATION CALCULATION
GENERAL DEFINITION

e ≡
∑ M 1
e2 ≡
∑ M 2
First step is to locate resultant force as :
∑ Q ∑ Q
1

Than use general equation of ; q≡

∑ Q × ⎛⎜1 ± 6e 1
±
6e2 ⎞
⎟
B×L ⎝ L B ⎠

and locate the line of zero pressure EF (tension at D). Actual zero pressure line must be determined by trial
and error. For this purpose assume that line GH is actual zero pressure line (GH is parallel to EF but closer to
point of application of resultant). Calculate the moment of inertia of the compression are ABGHC about
assumed zero pressure line:

IGH ≡
1
12
(
× KL×bA3 − HL×bC3 − KG×bB3 )
Thus Soil Pressure are ;

b× ∑ Q
≡
b × ∑ Q
× b
q max ≡ qA ≡ × bA q B B
I GH I GH

q ≡
b × ∑ Q
× bC q D ≡ 0
C
I GH

Calculate the volume of soil reactions (below figure) and compare it with the applied load ΣQ. If calculated
volume of soil pressures is approximately equal to the applied load no other trial is necessary.

ΣQ 1
q(B)

K B A q(A)

e1

2 G e2
2

H C
D
zero pressure
zone q(C

If the difference is large, assume a new location for GH until pressure volume will be nearly equal to applied
load ΣQ.

Page 4 of 8
REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR FLEXURAL MEMBERS

Equation 1
'
Required Area of reinforcing steel = 0,85.f C.b.a / f Y
deff,1
fY = yield strength of reinforcing steel
f'C = compressive strength of concrete d deff,2 = deff
B = width of footing (the closest one to tension zone)
a = depth of compressive stress distribution in section
amax = max value for a = 0,75.β1.cb concrete cover = 50 mm
β1 = 0,85 for concrete strengths f' C ≤ 30 MPa (ACI 10.2.7.3)
cb = depth to neutral axis at balanced conditions

Equation 2
* If a ≤ aMAX , the area of tensile reinforcement is given by,

Mu
Required Area of reinforcing steel, As =
⎛ a⎞
φ. f y ⎜ d EFF − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠
Mu = factored moment
Ф = reduction factor = 0,9 (ACI 318)
deff = effective depth of concrete section
* If a ≥ aMAX , compression reinforcement is required.

By solving trial & error ;

Minimum steel requirements

AS,MIN = minimum area of reinforcing steel

= 1,4b.d / f Y (ACI 10.5)

* If AS > AS,MIN , use AS

* If AS < AS,MIN < (4/3)AS, use AS,MIN
* If 0,0018 B.d eff < (4/3)AS < AS,MIN, use (4/3)AS
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 * If (4/3)AS < 0,0018 B.deff < AS,MIN, use 0,0018 B.d eff
REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COLUMNS

Required area of longitudinal reinforcement for non-composite compression members ,

0,01Ag ≤ AS ,C ≤ 0,08Ag (ACI 10.9.1)

0,09 Ag ≤ AS , C ≤ 0,6 Ag (RPA99 7.4.2.1)

HOOKS
Standard hooks : 90° + 12d b extension @ free end (ACI 318 - 7.1.2)
Stirrup & tie hooks : 90° + 6d b extension @ free end (ACI 318 - 7.1.3)
6db > 75 mm (ACI 318 -21.1)

CONCRETE COVER
Minimum concrete cover provided for reinforcement :50 mm (ACI 318 -R7.7.5)

TIES
All nonprestressed bars shall be enclosed by lateral ties at least No. 10 (~10 mm) in size for longitudinal bars No. 32 (~32 mm) or smaller. (ACI 318 -R7.10.5.1)
Vertical spacing of ties, d VT < 16dLONGITUDINAL & < 48dTIE (ACI 318 -R7.10.5.2)

dVT < 150 mm

Where anchor bolts are placed in the top of coloumns, the bolts shall be enclosed by lateral reinforcement that also surrounds at least four vertical bars of the column.
The lateral reinforcement shall be distributed within 130 mm of the top of the column and shall consist at least two No. 13 or three No. 10 bars. (ACI 318 -R7.10.5.6)

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 PUNCHING

Vu ≤ φVn (ACI 11-1)

where,
VU = Factored shear force (tributary area bounded by lines of zero shear)
Vn = Nominal shear resistance of slab
Ф = 0,85

(ACI 11-2)
Vn = Vc + Vs
where,
VC = Shear resistance of concrete
VS = Shear resistance of steel (in most slabs, Vs = 0)

For two-way shear in slabs (& footings) Vc is the smallest of

⎛ 4 ⎞ f c b0 d
A) Vc = ⎜⎜1 + ⎟⎟ (ACI 11-33)
⎝ βc ⎠ 6

where, long side of footing

βc = long side/short side of column concentrated load or reaction area<2 β=
b0 = length of critical perimeter around the column short side of footing

Critical perimeter is located d / 2 from column face, where d = effective depth of slab = d EFF
When β >2 the allowable Vc is reduced.

⎛ α d ⎞ f c b0 d
B) V c = ⎜⎜ 2 + s ⎟⎟ (ACI 11-34)
⎝ b0 ⎠ 12

where,
αS = 40 for interior columns
30 for edge columns
20 for corner columns

C) 1 (ACI 11-35)
Vc = f c b0 d
3

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 Calculation Procedure

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 c 1 and c2.

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
d = depth

The section is subjected to a vertical downward load Pu and

vertical upward pressure qu.

Vu = P u − qu (c + d ) for square columns

2

Vu = P u − qu (c1 + d )(c2 + d ) for rectangular columns

4) Allowable shear is

φVc = 4φ f c b0 d
Vu
Let Vu = ФVc d=
4φ f c b0
5) If d is not close to the assumed d, revise your assumptions

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.

Force acting on the concrete at the base of the column must not exceed the bearing strength of the concrete
N1 = φ (0.85 f c A1 )

where,
Ф = 0,7
A1 = bearing area of column

The value of the bearing strength may be

multiplied by a factor A2 / A1 ≤ 2.for
0
bearing on footing when the supporting
surface is wider on all sides than the
loaded area.

N 2 ≤ φ (0.85 f c A1 ) A2 / A1
N 2 ≤ 2φ (0.85 f c A1 )
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