DESIGN OF FLAT RAFT FOUNDATION (RIGID APPROACH)

Raft foundation is a type of shallow foundation that is mostly used on soils of

low bearing capacity, where the foundation pressures need to be spread over a large
area. They are also used in areas where the foundation soils are of varying
compressibility and the foundation has to bridge over them. The geotechnical design
of raft foundation ensures that there is no bearing capacity failure and that the
settlement is kept to a minimum, while the structural design ensures that adequate
thickness and reinforcements are provided to avoid structural failure of the raft plate.

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The types of raft foundation commonly encountered in practice are;

1. Flat slab rafts for framed buildings

2. Beam and slab rafts for framed buildings
3. Cellular rafts
4. Piled rafts
5. Annular rafts
6. Strip rafts forming grid rafts (Grid foundations)

Factors Affecting Choice of Raft Foundation

1. A flat raft slab can be adopted and analysed using the ACI empirical
method called the direct design method (DDM) when there is a
symmetrical arrangement of spacing of columns and loadings that leads to
uniform ground pressure. The DDM method involves analysing the flat
raft foundation as flat slab (similar to the analysis and design of an
inverted roof flat slab).
2. When there is uniform ground pressure but with unequal spans which do
not satisfy the conditions for DDM, a flat slab can be adopted, but it has
to be analyzed by the equivalent frame method (EFM). However, beam
and slab rafts are generally preferred in such cases.
3. A beam and slab raft construction should be adopted when there is a
symmetrical arrangement of unequally loaded columns but with uniform
ground pressure.
4. On soils of very low bearing capacity, the loads on the raft can be
compensated by excavation of soil, and the raft designed as a cellular raft.
5. When there is non-symmetrical loading with the centre of gravity of loads
not coinciding with the centre of gravity of the area, the ground pressures

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 will vary from place to place. In such cases, it is advisable to adopt a
beam and slab construction for such cases. To some extent, the space
around the loading area should be adjusted to give the least eccentricity.
The slab should then be designed for the maximum pressures. The beam
loading must be for the maximum values of the varying pressure in its
location.
6. When the bearing capacity is satisfactory but there is excessive
settlement, some parts of the load on the raft can be relieved by installing
a few piles so that raft settlement can be reduced. This is known as piled
raft foundation.

Raft foundations can be analysed using the rigid approach or flexible approach.

The conventional rigid combined footing approach is a method of analysing raft

foundation using simple statics without any consideration of the elastic properties of
the raft and the soil and their interaction. Here, the raft is analysed as a large beam
member independently in both directions. The row of column loads perpendicular to
the length of the beam is coupled together in single column load. Then for these
column loads acting on the beam, the upward soil pressure is calculated and the
moments and the shears at any section is determined by simple statics. Hence, the
moment per unit width of the raft is determined by dividing the moment values by
the corresponding width of the section (Gupta, 1997).

In order to obtain the upper bound values of the stresses, the raft is divided into strips
bounded on the centre line of the column bays in each direction. Each of these strips
is then analysed as independent combined footing by simple statics. Using the
column loads on each strip the soil pressure under each strip is determined without
reference to the planar distribution determined for the raft as a whole.
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The eccentricity of the load and the pressure distribution below the raft which is
considered to be linearly varying are taken into account in this analysis.

Approximate Rigid Analysis of Flat Raft Foundation with Eccentricity

In theory, the flat slab analysis is restricted to uniformly distributed load. However,
if the eccentricity is small, we may proceed as follows. We adopt the following steps
to analyze such a flat slab:

Step 1: Check eccentricity of the resultant load and find ex and ey with service
loads.

Step 2: Find Mx and My with factored loads of all loads about XX- and YY-axes to
calculate the varying base pressures.

Step 3: Find the moment of inertia of the raft slab in the x-x direction (Ixx) and y-y
direction (Iyy).

Step 4: A flat slab has to be analyzed in frames formed by cutting the slab along
mid-spans in the XX- and YY-directions. Find the ground pressures due to the
eccentric loading at the end and mid points of the slab at the top and along the
bottom.

Step 5: Check whether the maximum pressure exceeds the safe bearing capacity or
not.

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Step 6: Take each strip along YY. As the pressure in the strip varies, find the
average pressures over the top edge and also at the bottom edge. (This average
pressure for the interior frame will be pressure along the column line.) Draw the
load diagram with the column loads P1, P2, etc. and base reaction in the strip along
its length.

Step 7: Check for balance of downward and upward forces. If they do not match,
modify the ground pressures for equilibrium.

Step 8: Draw the shear force and bending moment for the strip for design. As the
loads from the top and the base pressure from below are known, we may use any of
the following:

(a) Simple statics or neglecting column loads used

(b) Direct design Method (DDM), or
(c) Equivalent Frame Method (EFM) (we may use the transverse distribution
percentage in detailing of steel).

(As a quick and short procedure, we first find the pressures along the boundary
lines of the spans take and design each span for the average pressure in the span.
We will also assume for simplicity that the load from the apron below the
peripheral column is transmitted directly to the beams.)

Step 9: Distribute the moments using transverse distribution.

Design Example of a Flat Raft Foundation

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It is desired to design the raft slab shown below to support the column loads for a
building as given below. All columns are 230 x 450mm, the grade of concrete (f ck)
is 30 N/mm2, and the yield strength of the reinforcement (fyk) is 500 N/mm2. The
allowable bearing capacity for the supporting soil is 60 kN/m2.

The service loads on the columns are given in the table below;

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Total axial load = 18296 kN

Eccentricity along the x-direction

This is obtained by taking moment about grid 5
x = [22.4(770 + 1050 + 776 + 350) + 16.8(870 + 1450 + 860 + 660) + 11.2(1211 +
1850 + 1000 + 779) + 5.6(875 + 1400 + 865 + 660)] / 18296 = 11.258 m

ex = x – (L/2) = 11.258 – (22.4/2) = 0.058 m

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Eccentricity along the y-direction
This is obtained by taking moment about grid D
y = [15.1(770 + 870 + 1211 + 875 + 770) + 9.1(1050 + 1450 + 1850 + 1400 +
1050) + 3.1(776 + 860 + 1000 + 865 + 700) ] / 18296 = 7.8045 m

ey = x – (B/2) = 7.8045 – (15.1/2) = 0.2545 m

Moment Due to Eccentricity

Mx = P.ex = (18296 × 0.058) = 1061.168 kNm

My = P.ey = (18296 × 0.2545) = 4656.332 kNm

Other geometrical properties

Moment of inertia of the raft slab about the x-direction;

Ix = (17.1 × 24.43) / 12 = 20700.6672 m4

Moment of inertia of the raft slab about the y-direction;

Iy = (24.4 × 17.13) / 12 = 10167.0957 m4

A = Area of raft slab = (17.1m × 24.4m) = 417.24 m2

The soil pressure at any point is given by the equation below;

P/A = (18296 kN / 417.24 m2) = 43.85 kN/m2

My/Iy = (4656.332 kNm / 10167.0957 m4) = 0.45798 kN/m2
Mx/Ix = (1061.168 kNm / 20700.6672 m4) = 0.05126 kN/m2

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Substituting these values into equation (1) we can obtain the soil pressure at any
pomt on the raft slab as follows;

σ = 43.85 ± 0.45798x ± 0.05126y

At corner A1;
σA1 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 12.2) + (0.05126 × 8.55) = 38.7 kN/m2

At corner A5;
σA5 = 43.85 + (0.45798 × 12.2) + (0.05126 × 8.55) = 49.975 kN/m2

At corner B1;
σB1 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 12.2) + (0.05126 × 1.55) = 38.342 kN/m2

At corner B5;
σB5 = 43.85 + (0.45798 × 12.2) + (0.05126 × 1.55) = 49.516 kN/m2

At corner C1;
σC1 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 12.2) – (0.05126 × 4.45) = 38.07 kN/m2

At corner C5;
σC5 = 43.85 + (0.45798 × 12.2) – (0.05126× 4.45) = 49.209 kN/m2

At corner D1;
σD1 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 12.2) – (0.05126 × 8.55) = 37.824 kN/m2

At corner D5;
σD5 = 43.85 + (0.45798 × 12.2) – (0.0512 × 8.55) = 48.999 kN/m2

At corner A2;
σA2 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 5.6) + (0.05126 × 8.55) = 41.723 kN/m2

At corner A3;
σA3 = 43.85 + (0.05126 × 8.55) = 44.288 kN/m2

At corner A4;
σA4 = 43.85 + (0.45798 × 5.6) + (0.05126 × 8.55) = 46.852 kN/m2

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At corner D2;
σD2 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 5.6) – (0.05126 × 8.55) = 40.847 kN/m2

At corner D3;
σD3 = 43.85 – (0.05126× 8.55) = 43.411 KN/m2

At corner D4;
σD4 = 43.85 – (0.45798 × 5.6) – (0.05126× 8.55) = 40.847 KN/m2

A little consideration will show that the bearing capacity checks are satisfactory.

Limit State Calculations

A factor of 1.37 has been used to convert the load from service load to ultimate
load.

For strip A – A bearing the most critical load;

Analysis of the raft strips

For strip A – A bearing the most critical load;

The analysis of the strip will be carried out using simple statics.

Check for balance of loads;

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Total column load (summation of downward forces) = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 + A5 =
770 + 870 + 1211 + 875 + 770 = 4496 kN

Width of strip = 4 m
Length of strip = 24.4 m
Taking the average load = (38.7 + 49.975) / 2 = 44.3375 kN/m2
Summation of upward force = (44.3375 × 4m × 24.4m) = 4327.34 kN

Check; 4496 kN – 4327.34 kN = 169 kN

Now the average ground pressure can be increased by [169 kN/(4m × 24.4m) =
1.73 kN/m2] which is 44.3375 + 1.73 = 46 kN/m2. This has been however ignored
in this analysis.

Multiplying by the width of the strip = 44.3375 kN/m2 × 4m = 177.35 kN/m

On factoring at ultimate limit state = 1.37 × 177.35 = 242.9695 kN/m

Using simple statics and analyzing as a continuous beam as shown below, the
bending moment and shear forces along the strip can be determined.

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This analysis is repeated using the same procedure for all the strips in the raft
foundation.

Structural Design
Check for punching shear at column perimeter
We can determine the thickness of the raft slab by considering the punching shear
at the column perimeter. At the column perimeter, the maximum punching shear
stress should not be exceeded.

VEd < VRd,max

Where;
VEd = βVEd /u0d

VRd,max = 0.5vfcd

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Considering Column B3 bearing the maximum axial load, VEd = 1.37 × 1850 kN =
2534.5 kN
β = 1.15 (an approximate value from clause 6.4.3(6))
u0 = column perimeter = 2(230) + 2(450) = 1360mm
v = 0.6[1 – fck/250] (strength reduction factor for concrete cracked in shear)
v = 0.6[1 – 30/250] = 0.528
fcd = αccfck/γc
fcd = (1.0 × 30)/1.5 = 20 N/mm2
VRd,max = 0.5 × 0.528 × 20 = 5.28 N/mm2
VEd = (1.15 × 2534.5 × 1000) / (1360 mm × d)

Therefore;
2914675/1360d = 5.28
On solving; dmin = 405.89 mm

The basic control perimeter for punching shear check is normally taken at 2d, but
when the concentrated force is resisted by high pressure as can be found in
foundations, the punching control perimeter is taken at less than 2d.

Let us consider a trial footing depth of 700mm.

Effective depth (d) = 700 – 70 – (20/2) = 620 mm (concrete cover is taken as

70mm and assumed diameter of bar is 20mm)

Design of bottom reinforcement

MEd = 781.67 kNm

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As1 = MEd/(0.87fyk z)
As1 = (781.67 × 106)/(0.87 × 500 × 0.95 × 620) = 3050.836 mm2

Minimum area of reinforcement Asmin = 0.0013bd = 0.0013 × 1000 × 620 = 806

mm2/m

Provide 18H16 @ 225mm c/c BOT (ASprov = 893 mm2/m or 3216 mm2) along the
strip.

Design of top reinforcement

MEd = 529.47 kNm

As1 = MEd/(0.87fyk z)
As1 = (529.47 × 106)/(0.87 × 500 × 0.95 × 620) = 2066.506 mm2

Minimum area of reinforcement = 0.0013bd = 0.0013 × 1000 × 620 = 806 mm2/m

(clause 9.2.1.1(1))
Also provide 18H16 @ 225mm c/c TOP (ASprov = 893 mm2/m or 3216 mm2) along
the strip.

Beam shear
Check critical section d away from column face considering the highest force in
the shear force diagram.
The point of contraflexure for shear between column A1 and A2 is 2.315 m.

The shear force at d from column A2 (towards the left) can therefore be calculated
using similar triangle. The length d from column face is 0.15 m + 0.62 = 0.77 m
(width of column is 230 mm).
VEd = 611 kN

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vEd = VEd/bd = (611 × 1000) /(4000 × 620) = 0.246 N/mm2

vRd, c = CRd, c × k × (100 × ρ1 × fck) 0.3333

CRd, c = 0.12
k = 1 + √ (200/d) = 1 + √ (200/620) = 1.568
ρ = As/bd = 3216/(4000 × 620) = 0.00129
vRd, c = 0.12 × 1.568 × (100 × 0.001296 × 30)0.333 = 0.295 N/mm2
Vmin = 0.035k(3/2) fck0.5
Vmin = 0.035 × (1.568)1.5 × 300.5 = 0.376 N/mm2
=> vEd (0.246 N/mm2) < vRd,c (0.376 N/mm2) beam shear is ok

Punching Shear (Use column A3)

Punching shear: Basic control perimeter at 2d from face of column
vEd = βVEd/uid < vRd,c

β = 1,
a = 2d = 2(620) = 1240 mm
Perimeter length, u = 2(c1 + c2 + π × a)
c1 = 230 mm; c2 = 450 mm
ui = 2(230 + 450 + π × 1240) = 9151 mm

VEd = load minus net upward force within the area of the control perimeter)
Area inside the perimeter A = c1 × c2 + 2 × (c1 + c2) × a + π × a2 = 0.23 × 0.45 + 2
× (0.23 + 0.45) × 1.24 + π × 1.242 = 6.62 m2
Average earth pressure at ultimate limit state = 1.37 x 44.3357 = 60.733
kN/m2 (note that the SLS actual soil pressure under the column is44.288 kN/m2).
Since this is meant to beneficial, the lowest value can be used.

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VEd = 1.37 × 1211 kN = 1659.07 kN

VEd,red = 1659.07 – (60.733 x 6.62) = 1257 kN

vEd = (1257 x 103)/(9151 x 620) = 0.221 N/mm2

vRd, c = 0.12 × 1.568 × (100 × 0.001296 × 30)0.333 = 0.295 N/mm2

Vmin = 0.035 × (1.568)1.5 × 300.5 = 0.376 N/mm2
Punching shear at 2d is therefore okay

This shows that shear is ok.

Using this approach, the entire reinforcement for the mat foundation can be
obtained in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

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