Mat foundations

When using mat foundations?

high loads/poor soil conditions;

soil is non-uniform and prone to differential settlements;

loads are strongly different thus inducing differential

settlements;

lateral loads non-uniform and thus causing differential

settlements;

high uplift loads;

high groundwater table and there are difficulties to

waterproof individual footings.

Differential
settlement

Mat foundations simple r.c. plate

structural design
of mat foundations

hr 1/8 lmax

hg/lmax = 1/3 1/6;

hr/lmax = (1/15-1/20)
pmin = 0,15% both top and bottom
level, network of bars
the middle part is also reinforced to
prevent fissures from contraction

distribution of the soil pressures

rigid versus flexible mat?

rectangular mat
KG

when

KG

12
1
8
L
B

1
2
s

Es
E

L
2h

B
2h

the mat is considered rigid

mat under 3D frames equally spaced and of less

than 20% difference of the loads, a flexibility
coefficient is evaluated
1,75
ks b f
and is flexible for b f
4
4E I f

Flexible mat

for a mixed structure

3D frames and structural walls

KR
E' IC

E' IC
Es B 3

E' I F

KR

E ' I ca

t d hd3
E'
12

0,5 the mat is considered rigid

redistribution of the
soil pressures

rigid mat
p1, 2,3, 4

N
A

ey
Ix

ex
N x
Iy

flexible raft Winkler model

the Heteny method

1.-compute the required mat thickness as
in the conventional rigid method;

2.-compute the plate rigidity using the formula:

E t3
12 1

3.-compute the radius of effective stiffness L

(noting the approximate zone of any column influence is

4 L) using the formula:

Mr

P
4

Mt

P
4

y
y

Z4

Z 3'

x
Z4

D
ks

1
x

Z 3'

P L2
at load
8 D
P L2
Z 3 at distance from load
4D
P
Z 4'
4 L

coupled method

uniform settlement

dish shape settlement

coupled springs

selection of the ks values for the coupling springs ?!

custom software to implement the method

pseudo-coupled method
changing stiffness to acquire the real
dish shaped behaviour

ksA
ksB
ksC

finite element analysis