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Load calculation
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Soil bearing capacity
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Safety factor
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Footing size
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A footing is a structural element that transfers the load of a building to the soil. It is essential to design a footing that can support the weight and pressure of the structure without causing excessive settlement, shear failure, or overturning. In this article, you will learn how to calculate the required size of a footing in building design using some basic principles and formulas.
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- Royal NWOKOCHA Green Building and Energy Efficiency master’s Student at UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University| Bsc in Civil…
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- Hasan Jafar BIM Engineer | Transportation | Strategic Rail | BQT | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice
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- Thilak Jayasinghe Senior Civil Engineer @ Department of Transport and Main Roads | Chartered Professional Engineer
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1 Load calculation
The first step is to calculate the total load that the footing will have to bear. This includes the dead load, which is the weight of the building and its components, and the live load, which is the weight of the occupants and their activities. You can use the building codes and standards to estimate the load per unit area for different types of structures and floors. Then, you can multiply the load per unit area by the area of the footing to get the total load.
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- Royal NWOKOCHA Green Building and Energy Efficiency master’s Student at UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University| Bsc in Civil Engineering | DUT in Civil engineering | LinkedIn top voice
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Basically we run tests on the site to determine the maximum load that the soil can bear and then we calculate the different loads of the structure which includes the permanent loads of the structural elements, as well as loads due to climatic factors and also the number of occupants etc. With these two factors, we can determine the size of our foundation footing
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- Thilak Jayasinghe Senior Civil Engineer @ Department of Transport and Main Roads | Chartered Professional Engineer
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To calculate the required size of a footing in building design, follow these steps:Identify and quantify vertical and horizontal loads on the structure.Choose an appropriate foundation type (shallow or deep) based on the building and soil conditions.Conduct a geotechnical investigation to determine soil properties.Evaluate the soil's bearing capacity to support the structure's loads.Distribute loads to each footing and calculate the total load.Determine the allowable bearing capacity of the soil.Use the calculated load and allowable bearing capacity to find the required footing area.Ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations.Check for settlement and assess factors like soil compressibility.
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- Hasan Jafar BIM Engineer | Transportation | Strategic Rail | BQT | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice
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Identify and calculate the loads acting on the structure, including dead loads (permanent), live loads (temporary, variable), and other applicable loads like snow or wind loads.
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Calculate footing size by determining vertical and horizontal loads, assessing soil bearing capacity, and selecting an appropriate type. Divide net load by soil bearing capacity to find footing area. Check local codes, consider settlement, and iterate as needed. Engage a structural engineer to validate and finalize the design for safety and compliance.
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2 Soil bearing capacity
The second step is to determine the soil bearing capacity, which is the maximum pressure that the soil can withstand without failing. The soil bearing capacity depends on the type, depth, moisture, and density of the soil, as well as the shape and size of the footing. You can use soil tests, such as the standard penetration test or the plate load test, to measure the soil bearing capacity. Alternatively, you can use empirical formulas or tables based on the soil classification and properties.
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- Hasan Jafar BIM Engineer | Transportation | Strategic Rail | BQT | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice
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Assess the bearing capacity of the soil at the building site. This involves soil testing to determine the type of soil and its load-bearing capacity. Common methods include the use of soil bearing capacity charts or conducting field tests.
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- Francis Onwuliri I work with developers and contractors to implement innovative engineering solutions, leading to superior project outcomes and cost efficiency | Civil Engineer
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Soil bearing capacity is a crucial factor in building design as it directly influences the size and design of foundations. The bearing capacity of a soil is the maximum load that the soil can safely support without undergoing excessive settlement or shear failure. There are factors engineers take into cognizance when designing the size of a footing;The soil type is essential as they have to carry out soil test to determine the soil present at the site. Engineers also analyze the loads that the structure will impose on the foundation, this includes both live and dead loads. Once the allowable bearing pressure is determined engineers can calculate the required size of the footing.
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3 Safety factor
The third step is to apply a safety factor, which is a ratio that accounts for the uncertainties and variations in the load and soil conditions. The safety factor ensures that the footing will have enough strength and stability to resist the possible failures. The safety factor depends on the reliability and accuracy of the data, the type and importance of the structure, and the degree of risk involved. You can use the recommended values from the building codes and standards, or consult an expert for guidance.
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- Lasantha Pradeep Ananda Quantity Surveyor/ Cost Manager/ Estimation Engineer
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Safety is paramount when calculating the required size of footings in building design. Engineers meticulously assess factors such as soil bearing capacity, building loads, and potential settlement. Understanding the soil's characteristics helps determine the appropriate foundation type. Load calculations consider not only the building's weight but also live loads, environmental forces, and any potential dynamic effects. Safety factors, often dictated by building codes, are applied to these calculations to account for uncertainties and unforeseen conditions. Additionally, factors like frost heave, seismic activity, and groundwater conditions are scrutinized to ensure the footing can withstand a variety of challenges.
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4 Footing size
The final step is to calculate the required size of a footing using the formula:
Footing size = (Total load x Safety factor) / Soil bearing capacity
This formula gives you the minimum area of the footing that can support the load without exceeding the soil bearing capacity. You can choose any shape and dimensions for the footing, as long as the area meets or exceeds the minimum requirement. However, you should also consider other factors, such as the spacing, alignment, and reinforcement of the footings, to optimize the design and performance.
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5 Here’s what else to consider
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