Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements 275

5.16.14 Example 5.33: Inverted T-Beam Combined Foundation

An inverted T-beam combined foundation is required to support two square columns
transferring axial loads as shown in Figure 5.125. Using the data provided, design suitable
reinforcement for the base.

Design Data:
Characteristic dead load on column A 450 kN
Characteristic imposed load on column A 450 kN
Characteristic dead load on column B 750 kN
Characteristic imposed load on column B 750 kN
Characteristic concrete strength fcu = 40 N/mm2
Characteristic of reinforcement fy = 460 N/mm2
Net permissible ground bearing pressure pg = 175 kN/m2
Nominal cover to centre of main reinforcement 40 mm
Column A dimensions 350 mm × 350 mm
Column B dimensions 350 mm × 350 mm
Gk = 450 kN Gk = 750 kN
Qk = 450 kN Qk = 750 kN

Columns
350 mm × 350 mm 400 mm

A B
800 mm

0.6 m 5.0 m Xm Ym 460 mm

Figure 5.125

5.16.15 Solution to Example 5.33

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure : Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 1 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

The foundation should be designed as a T-beam between the

columns where the rib is in tension and as a rectangular beam at
the column positions where the bottom slab is in tension.
Using the service loads it is first necessary to determine a
suitable base area and dimensions X and Y such that the centre-
line of the base coincides with the centre-of-gravity of the
column loads. This ensures a uniform earth pressure under the
base.
276 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 2 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

Base Area:
Total service load = (450 + 450 + 750 + 750) = 2400 kN
service load
Minimum area required =
permissible bearing pressure
2400
= = 13.71 m2
175
5.0 m

900 kN 1500 kN

A B
Actual Load System

Total load = 2400 kN

B
x

Equivalent Load System

Equate the moments of the force systems about the centre-line

of column B:
Mcentre-line column B = (900 × 5.0) = (2400 × x) ∴x = 1.875 m

The centre-line of the base should coincide with this position.

B
1.875 m

5.0 m
900 kN 2400 kN

0.6 m 3.125 m 1.875 m X m

 Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements 277

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 3 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

Length of the base = [2 × (3.125 + 0.6)] = 7.45 m

∴ X = (7.45 − 5.6) = 1.85 m

Width of the base Y = (13.71 / 7.45) = 1.84 m

Ultimate bearing pressure:

Ultimate load on column A = (1.4 × 450) + (1.6 × 450)
= 1350 kN
Ultimate load on column B = (1.4 × 750) + (1.6 × 750)
= 2250 kN

Ultimate design pressure under the base =

(1350 + 2250)
(7.45 ×1.84)
= 262.6 kN/m2

The combined base can be regarded as a beam 1.84 m wide.

Longitudinal load/m = (262.6 × 1.84) = 483.2 kN/m
1350 kN 2250 kN
483.2 kN/m
P Q R S

0.6 m 5.0 m 1.85 m

Shear force at Q = (483.2 × 0.6) = + 289.9 kN

and = (289.9 − 1350) = − 1060 kN

Shear force at R =−1060 + (483.2 × 5.0) = +1356 kN

and =(1356 − 2250) = −894.1 kN
1060
Position of zero shear = = 2.19 m
483.2
1356 kN

289.9 kN

Shear force diagram

894.1 kN
1060 kN
Bending moment at Q = shaded area
 0.6 
=  × 289.9  = 86.8 kNm
 2 
278 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 4 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

Bending moment at R = shaded area

 1.85 
=  ×894  = 827 kNm
 2 
Maximum bending moment at point of zero shear:
 2.19 
= resultant shaded area = 87 −  ×1060  = − 1074 kNm
 2 
1074 kNm

87 kNm
827 kNm

Design the base as a T-beam between A and B and as a

rectangular beam at the column locations.

Assume 32 mm diameter bars for the main steel.

Effective depth:
d = (1260 – 40 – 16 ) = 1204 mm
(Note: This is the mean effective depth)

400 mm
d = 1204 mm

460 mm

1840 mm

Bending between the columns A and B (T-beam):

Design bending moment between the columns = 1074 kNm

M 1074 ×10 6
Clause 3.4.4.4 K= 2
= = 0.01 < K´ ( = 0.156)
bd f cu 1840 ×1204 2 × 40
Section is singly reinforced
 Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements 279

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 5 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

x = (d − z)/0.45 = (0.05 × 1204)/0.45 = 133.8 mm < 460 mm

The neutral axis lies in the flange
  K     0.01  
Z = d 0.5 +  0.25 −   = d 0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  
   0.9  
 Top
= 0.98d Reinforcement
The lever arm is limited to 0.95d
Select:
6 3/32 mm diameter
M 1074 ×10 bars providing
As = = = 2149 mm2
0.95 f y Z 0.95 × 460 × 0.95 ×1204 2410 mm2

Design bending moment at column B (Rectangular section):


= 483.2 ×
(1.85 − 0.175)2  = 678 kNm
 2 
400 mm
d = 1204 mm

460 mm

1840 mm

M 678 ×10 6
Clause 3.4.4.4 K= 2
= = 0.03 < K´ ( = 0.156)
bd f cu 400 ×1204 2 × 40
Section is singly reinforced
  0.03  
Z = d 0.5 +  0.25 −   = 0.96d
  0.9  

The lever arm is limited to 0.95d Bottom
M 678 ×10 6 Reinforcement
As = = = 1356 mm2
0.95 f y Z 0.95 × 460 × 0.95 ×1204
Select:
100 As 3/25 mm diameter
Table 3.25 Minimum area of steel = = 0.26%
bw h bars providing
1470 mm2
0.26 × 400 ×1260
As ≥ = 1310 mm2 < 1356 mm2
100

The bottom reinforcement required at column A should be

determined by the reader.
280 Design of Structural Elements

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 6 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

The reinforcement required to resist transverse bending can be

determined in a similar manner. Consider a 1m width strip:

720 mm

1.0 m

483.2 kN/m2
Assume 25 mm diameter bars:

d = (460 − 40 − 25 − 13) = 382 mm

 2 
Transverse bending moment =  483.2 × 0.72 
 2 

= 125.2 kNm/m width
6
M 125.2 ×10
Clause 3.4.4.4 K= = = 0.02 < K´ ( = 0.156)
bd 2 f cu 1000 × 382 2 × 40
Section is singly reinforced
  0.02  
Z = d 0.5 +  0.25 −  = 0.98d
  0.9  

The lever arm is limited to 0.95d

M 125.2 ×10 6
As = = = 789 mm2 /m Bottom
0.95 f y Z 0.95 × 460 × 0.95 × 382 Reinforcement

Table 3.25 Minimum area of steel = 0.15% Select:

0.15 ×1000 × 460 20 mm diameter bars
As ≥ = 690 mm2/m < 789 mm2/m @ 400 mm centres
100 providing 786 mm2/m
Clause 3.4.5 Shear resistance of the T-beam:
Consider shear at the face of Column B
Table 3.8 Critical shear stress

100 As 100 × 2410

= = 0.5 ∴ vc = 0.5 N/mm2
bv d 400 ×1204

Modify to allow for using C40 concrete

vc = (0.5 × 1.17) = 0.59 N/mm2

Table 3.7 (vc + 0.4) = 0.99 N/mm2

 Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements 281

Contract : Foundations Job Ref. No. : Example 5.33 Calcs. by : W.McK.

Part of Structure :Inverted T-Beam, Combined Foundation Checked by :
Calc. Sheet No. : 7 of 7 Date :

References Calculations Output

Shear force at the face of the column:

V = (1356 − (483.2 × 0.175) = 1271.4 kN
V 1271.4 ×10 3
v = = = 2.64 N/mm2
bv d 400 ×1204
Since (vc + 0.4) < v < 0.8 f cu
< 5.0 N/mm2
Design links are required
bsv s v (υ − υ c ) Adopt double 10 mm
Asv ≥ diameter two-legged
0.95 f yv
links @ 100 mm
Assume two-legged 10 mm diameter links ∴ Asv = 157 mm2 centres for the 1st
 157 × 0.95 × 250  metre from column B
Sv ≤   = 45.5 mm
 400 × (2.64 − 0.59)

A similar calculation should be carried out by the reader to

determine the links required over the full length of the
T-beam.

Clause 3.4.5 Shear resistance of the flange: Consider shear at the face of rib

720 mm

483.2 kN/m2
Table 3.8 Critical shear stress
100 As 100 × 786
= = 0.2 ; d = 382 mm
bv d 1000 × 382
vc = 0.37 N/mm2 ; modify to allow for using C40 concrete
vc = (0.37 × 1.17) = 0.43 N/mm2
(vc + 0.4) = 0.83 N/mm2

Shear force V = (483.2 × 1.0 × 0.72) = 348 kN

V 348 ×10 3
v = = = 0.91 N/mm2 < 0.8 f cu
bv d 1000 × 382
< 5.0 N/mm2
Table 3.16 Since the shear stress v is greater than vc shear reinforcement is
required. Shear links are not normally provided in slabs.
Alternatives to providing links are to increase the % of
reinforcement As and hence increase the value of vc sufficiently,
or to increase the thickness of the slab, which will reduce the
value of v.