Modeling for the strap combined footings Part I: Optimal dimensioning

Abstract

This paper presents a new model for the strap combined footings to obtain the most economical contact surface on the soil (optimal dimensioning) to support an axial load and moment in two directions to each column. The new model considers the soil real pressure, i.e., the pressure varies linearly. Research presented in this paper shows that can be applied to the T-shaped combined footings and the rectangular combined footings. The classical model uses the technique of test and error, i.e., a dimension is proposed, and subsequently, the equation of the biaxial bending is used to obtain the stresses acting on each vertex of the strap combined footing, which must meet the conditions following: The minimum stress should be equal or greater than zero, and maximum stress must be equal or less than the allowable capacity that can withstand the soil. Numerical examples are presented to obtain the optimal area of the contact surface on the soil for the strap combined footings subjected to an axial load and moments in two directions applied to each column. Appendix shows the Tables 4 and 5 for the strap combined footings, the Table 6 for the T-shaped combined footings, and the Table 7 for the rectangular combined footings.