• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.49-69
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• 2018

This paper shows an optimal design for reinforced concrete rectangular combined footings based on a criterion of minimum cost. The classical design method for reinforced concrete rectangular combined footings is: First, a dimension is proposed that should comply with the allowable stresses (Minimum stress should be equal or greater than zero, and maximum stress must be equal or less than the allowable capacity withstand by the soil); subsequently, the effective depth is obtained due to the maximum moment and this effective depth is checked against the bending shear and the punching shear until, it complies with these conditions, and then the steel reinforcement is obtained, but this is not guaranteed that obtained cost is a minimum cost. A numerical experimentation shows the model capability to estimate the minimum cost design of the materials used for a rectangular combined footing that supports two columns under an axial load and moments in two directions at each column in accordance to the building code requirements for structural concrete and commentary (ACI 318S-14). Numerical experimentation is developed by modifying the values of the rectangular combined footing to from "d" (Effective depth), "b" (Short dimension), "a" (Greater dimension), "${\rho}_{P1}$" (Ratio of reinforcement steel under column 1), "${\rho}_{P2}$" (Ratio of reinforcement steel under column 2), "${\rho}_{yLB}$" (Ratio of longitudinal reinforcement steel in the bottom), "${\rho}_{yLT}$" (Ratio of longitudinal reinforcement steel at the top). Results show that the optimal design is more economical and more precise with respect to the classical design. Therefore, the optimal design presented in this paper should be used to obtain the minimum cost design for reinforced concrete rectangular combined footings.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.417-437
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• 2017

This paper shows a comparative study for design of reinforced concrete boundary combined footings of trapezoidal and rectangular forms supporting two columns and each column transmits an axial load and a moment around of the axis X (transverse axis of the footing) and other moment around of the axis Y (longitudinal axis of the footing) to foundation to obtain the most economical combined footing. The real soil pressure acting on the contact surface of the footings is assumed as a linear variation. Methodology used to obtain the dimensions of the footings for the two models consider that the axis X of the footing is located in the same position of the resultant, i.e., the dimensions is obtained from the position of the resultant. The main part of this research is to present the differences between the two models. Results show that the trapezoidal combined footing is more economical compared to the rectangular combined footing. Therefore, the new model for the design of trapezoidal combined footings should be used, and complies with real conditions.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2023

This work presents a complete optimal model for trapezoidal combined footings that support a concentric load and moments around of the "X" and "Y" axes in each column to obtain the minimum area and the minimum cost. The model presented in this article considers a pressure diagram that has a linear variation (real pressure) and the equations are not limited to some cases. The classic model takes into account a concentric load and the moment around of the "X" axis (transverse axis) that is applied due to each column, i.e., the resultant force is located at the geometric center of the footing on the "Y" axis (longitudinal axis), and when the concentric load and moments around of the "X" and "Y" axes act on the footing is considered the uniform pressure applied on the contact surface of the footing, and it is the maximum pressure. Four numerical problems are presented to find the optimal design of a trapezoidal combined footing under a concentric load and moments around of the "X" and "Y" axes due to the columns: Case 1 not limited in the direction of the Y axis; Case 2 limited in the direction of the Y axis in column 1; Case 3 limited in the direction of the Y axis in column 2; Case 4 limited in the direction of the Y axis in columns 1 an 2. The complete optimal design in terms of cost optimization for the trapezoidal combined footings can be used for the rectangular combined footings considering the uniform width of the footing in the transversal direction, and also for different reinforced concrete design codes, simply by modifying the resisting capacity equations for moment, for bending shear, and for the punching shear, according to each of the codes.