Practical Design to Eurocode 2

Foundations

Eurocode 7
Eurocode 7 has two parts:
Part 1: General Rules
Part 2: Ground Investigation and testing

Limit States
The following ultimate limit states apply to foundation
design:
EQU: Loss of equilibrium of the structure
STR: Internal failure or excessive deformation of the
structure or structural member
GEO: Failure due to excessive deformation of the ground
UPL: Loss of equilibrium due to uplift by water pressure
HYD: Failure caused by hydraulic gradients

Categories of Structures
Category Description

Risk of
geotechnical
failure

Examples from
EC7

Small and relatively

simple structures

Negligible

None given

Conventional types of
structure no difficult
ground

No exceptional
risk

Spread
foundations

All other structures

Abnormal risks

Large or
unusual
structures

STR/GEO ULS
Unfavourable

Favourable

Leading
variable
action

Exp 6.10

1.35Gk

1.0Gk

1.5Qk

Exp 6.10a

1.35Gk

1.0Gk

Exp 6.10b

1.25Gk

1.0Gk

1.5Qk

1.50,iQk

1.0Gk

1.0Gk

1.3Qk

1.30,iQk

Permanent Actions

Accompanying variable
actions
Main

Others

Combination 1
1.50,iQk
1.50,1Qk

1.50,iQk

Combination 2
Exp 6.10

Notes:
If the variation in permanent action is significant, use Gk,j,sup and Gk,j,inf
If the action if favourable, Q,i = 0 and the variable actions should be ignored

Partial factors
Symbol

Combination 1

Combination 2

Angle of shearing
resistance

1.0

1.25

Effective cohesion

1.0

1.25

Undrained shear
strength

cu

1.0

1.4

Unconfined strength

qu

1.0

1.4

Bulk density

1.0

1.0

Spread Foundations
EC7 Section 6
Three methods for design:
Direct method check all limit states
Indirect method experience and testing used to
determine SLS parameters that also satisfy ULS
Prescriptive methods use presumed bearing
resistance (BS8004 quoted in NA)

Pressure distributions

EQU : 0.9 Gk + 1.5 Qk (assuming variable action is

destabilising e.g. wind, and permanent action is
stabilizing)

STR : 1.35 Gk + 1.5 Qk (6.10)

(6.10a or 6.10b could be used)

Strip and Pad Footings

(12.9.3) Plain concrete

hF
a

a
bF

0,85 hF
(9gd/fctd,pl)
a
gd is the design value of the ground pressure
as a simplification hf/a 2 may be used

Reinforced Bases
Check critical bending moment at column face
Check beam shear and punching shear
For punching shear
the ground reaction
within the perimeter
may be deducted
from the column load

Worked Example
Design a square pad footing for a 350 350 mm column
carrying Gk = 600 kN and Qk = 505 kN. The presumed
allowable bearing pressure of the non-aggressive soil is
200 kN/m2.
Category 2, using prescriptive methods
Base size: (600 + 505)/200 = 5.525m2
=> 2.4 x 2.4 base x .5m (say) deep.

Worked Example
Use C30/37
Loading = 1.35 x 600 + 1.5 x 505
= 1567.5kN
ULS bearing pressure =
1567.5/2.42
= 272kN/m2
Critical section at face of column
MEd = 2.72 x 2.4 x 1.0252 / 2
= 343kNm
d = 500 50 16 = 434mm
K = 343 x 106 / (2400 x 4342 x 30)
= 0.025

Worked Example
z = 0.95d

= 0.95 x 434 = 412mm

As = MEd/fydz

= 343 x 106 / (435 x 412) = 1914mm2

Provide H16 @ 250 c/c (1930mm2)

Beam shear
Check critical section d away from column face
VEd = 272 x (1.025 0.434) = 161kN/m
vEd = 161 / 434 = 0.37MPa
vRd,c (from table) = 0.41MPa => beam shear ok.

Worked Example
Punching shear
Basic control perimeter at 2d from face of column
vEd = VEd / uid < vRd,c
= 1, ui = (350 x 4 + 434 x 2 x 2 x ) = 6854mm
VEd = load minus net upward force within the area of the
control perimeter)
= 1567.5 272 x (0.352 + x .8682 + .868 x .35 x 4)
= 560kN
vEd = 0.188MPa; vRd,c = 0.41 (as before) => ok

Workshop Example
Pad foundation for a column taking Gk = 300kN, Qk =
160kN. Permissible bearing stress = 150kPa.

Work out size of base, tension reinforcement and any

shear reinforcement.

Retaining Walls

Ultimate Limit States

for the design of
retaining walls

General expressions

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Calculation Model A

11

Calculation Model B

12

Partial factors
Symbol

Combination 1

Combination 2

Angle of shearing
resistance

1.0

1.25

Effective cohesion

1.0

1.25

Undrained shear
strength

cu

1.0

1.4

Unconfined strength

qu

1.0

1.4

Bulk density

1.0

1.0

Overall design
procedure

13

Initial sizing

Figure 6 for overall

design procedure

14

Panel 2

Overall design
procedure

15

Design against
sliding
(Figure 7)

16

Overall design
procedure

Design against Toppling

(Figure 9)

17

Overall design
procedure

Design against bearing failure

(Figure 10)

18

Overall design
procedure

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Figure 13

Strut and tie methods

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Which is the Stronger?

P1

P2 2P1

Bi-axial Strength of Concrete

compressive strength of
concrete with transverse
tension

fcu

fcu

fct

tensile stress in concrete

fct

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Strut and Tie Models

(6.5.2)
Struts
EC2 provides a simplified approach to limiting stresses in struts.

Where there is no transverse tension

Rd,max = fcd (ie 0,57fck)
Otherwise where there is transverse tension
about 0,3fck)

Rd,max = 0,6fcd (ie

where = 1-fck/250

Sizing nodes (6.5.4)

c-c-c
The size of a node is
(1-fck/250)fcd
determined by the limiting
stresses in the struts and the
(Exp (6.60))
anchorage length of bars
If the stresses in all struts
meeting at a node are the
same, the boundaries of the
c-c-t
node will be perpendicular to 0.85(1-fck/250)fcd
the axis of the strut and the
(Exp (6.61))
node will be in a state of
hydrostatic stress

Bars can be
anchored both
through and beyond
a node

Unless special confinement is

provided, the calculated
c-t-t
compressive stress in the node
0.75(1-fck/250)fcd
regions should not exceed:
(Exp (6.62))

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Strut and Tie Models Can Help

Us Understand .
1 - Anchorage of tension reinforcement at simple support
behaviour similar to deep beam at support

Even at a simple support there is tension

in the reinforcement

2 - Detailing of nib

bearing

strut needs to
be supported
on bar

bar to be anchored
beyond point of load
application

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3 - Anchorage of bars

4 - Lapping of bars

F tan

F tan
F/2

F/2

Forces from cranks reduced if laps in plane parallel to surface

but similar splitting forces from lap

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Deep Beams
w kN/m

Clause 9.7 suggests that strut and

tie methods will be used in the
design of deep beams, however
no advice is given on the shape or
limit to the height of the assumed
strut

parabolic curve

67.4

0.6 L
0.2 L

tension zone

Pile Cap Exercise

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Pile Cap Exercise

fck = 30 MPa / fyk = 500 MPa
breadth = 1050
bottom cover = 100, bars 32mm
side cover
= 75

5.5 MN (Ult)
700 x 700 column

1. Set up an arrangement of
struts and ties
1650

2. Check the strength of the

struts 6.5.2 (2)
3. Check the strength of the
nodes 6.5.4 (4)
4. Calculate the areas of
reinforcement required
5. What other checks should
200
be made to EC2?

750

3400

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Pile Cap Exercise Solution (1)

5500 kN

1. Arrangement of struts and

ties
Angle of strut
= tan -1 (1530 / 1125)
= 53.7

700 x 700 column

Width of each strut

= 700 sin 53.7
= 564 mm
Compressive force in each
strut
= 2750 / sin 53.7
= 3412 kN

1530

3412 kN
53.7

564

Tensile force in tie

= 2750 / tan 53.7
= 2020 kN

120

2020 kN

1125
2750 kN

2750 kN

Pile Cap Exercise Solution (2)

700

2. Strength of struts
Stress in strut:
Projecting the rectangular geometry
from the column gives minimum area,
and maximum stress
= 3.412 / (0.564 x 0.7)
= 8.6 MPa

3412 kN
53.7
564

Cl 6.5.2 (2) : Strength of strut

sRd,max

= 0.6 fcd
= 0.6 (1-fck/250) fcd
= 0.6 (1 30 / 250)

0.85 x 30 / 1.5
= 8.98 MPa OK

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Pile Cap Exercise Solution (3)

5.5 MN (Ult)
3. Strength of nodes

700mm

Upper node:

Ed,1

Stress on hor. plane Ed,1

= 2.75 / (0.35 x 0.7)
= 11.2 MPa
Stress on vert. plane Ed,2
= 2.02 / (0.35 tan 53.7 x 0.7)
= 6.1 MPa
As these will be principle stresses (no
shear), the other plane is ok by inspection.

Ed,2
3412 kN

2.02MN

Cl 6.5.4 (4a) :
Strength of compression node without ties
= Rd,max
= (1-fck/250) fcd
= (1 30 / 250) 0.85 x 30 / 1.5
= 14.96 MPa OK

Pile Cap Exercise Solution (4)

3. Strength of nodes
Lower node:
The exact geometry of node is difficult to
define, so conservatively compare strut
stresses to node allowable stresses
Stress in strut Ed,1
= 8.6 MPa

Ed,1

Stress in pile Ed,2

= 2.75 / (0.752 / 4)
= 6.2 MPa
Cl 6.5.4 (4b) :
Strength of compression node with anchored ties
= Rd,max
= 0.85 (1-fck/250) fcd
= 0.85 (1 30 / 250) 0.85 x 30 / 1.5
= 12.7 MPa OK

Ed,2

Ed,1

Ed,2

750

750

2750 kN

2750 kN

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Pile Cap Exercise Solution (5)

4. Area of reinforcement

160 mm

Tension = 2020 kN
Area of steel required
= 2020 x 1000/ (500/1.15)
= 4646 mm2
6H32 (4825 mm2)

53.7

5. Other checks
112 mm
Anchorage length, lbd :
Cl 8.4.2 (2) : fbd
= 2.25 12fctd
= 2.25 x 1 x 1 x 1x 2/1.5 = 3.0 MPa
Cl 8.4.3 (2) : lb,rqd
= (/4)(sd/fbd)
= (32/4) x {2020,000 x 4/(6 x x322 x 3)}
= 1116.3 mm
Cl 8.4.4. (1) :

2750 / tan 53.7

= 2020 kN

2750 kN

1 =0.7; , 2 = (1-0.15(91-32)/32 = 0.72; 3 = 1; 4 = 1;

5 = 1 0.04 (2.75/(1.5x.75)) = 0.902; so 2 3 5 = 0.649 but Exp(8.5) 2 3 5 = 0.7

Hence lbd = 1

2 3 4 5Lb,rqd =

0.7 x 0.7 x 1116.3 = 547 mm

Assume bar fully stressed at centreline of pile

Standard mandrel diameter (Cl 8.3 (3) & Table 8.1N) m = 7 = 7 x 32 = 224 mm
Standard extension of bar beyond bend = 5 = 5 x 32 = 160 mm

Tying
www.eurocode2.info

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Tying systems (2)

Peripheral ties (9.10.2.2):
Ftie,per = (20 + 4n0) 60kN where n0 is the number of storeys
Internal ties (including transverse ties) (9.10.2.3):
Ftie,int = ((gk + qk) / 7.5 )(lr/5)Ft Ft kN/m

Where (gk + qk) is the sum of the average permanent and variable floor
loads (kN/m2), lr is the greater of the distances (m) between the centres of
the columns, frames or walls supporting any two adjacent floor spans in the
direction of the tie under consideration and
Ft = (20 + 4n0) 60kN.
Maximum spacing of internal ties = 1.5 lr

Horizontal ties to columns or walls (9.10.2.4):

Ftie,fac = Ftie,col (2 Ft (ls /2.5)Ft) and 3% of the total design ultimate vertical
load carried by the column or wall at that level. Tying of external walls is only
required if the peripheral tie is not located within the wall. Ftie,fac in kN per
metre run of wall, Ftie,col in kN per column and ls is the floor to ceiling height in
m.

Tying systems (3)

Vertical ties (9.10.2.5):
In panel buildings of 5 storeys or more, ties should be provided in
columns and/or walls to limit damage of collapse of a floor.
Normally continuous vertical ties should be provided from the
lowest to the highest level.
Where a column or wall is supported at the bottom by a beam or
slab accidental loss of this element should be considered.
Continuity and anchorage ties (9.10.3):
Ties in two horizontal directions shall be effectively continuous and
anchored at the perimeter of the structure.
Ties may be provided wholly in the insitu concrete topping or at
connections of precast members.

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