A

F , A f 3.0 A f (3.63)
A

where

A b d and A b d (3.64)

where Ac0 is the loaded area and Ac1 the maximum spread area. The influence of height of the
concrete block to its 3D behaviour is introduced by

h b2 b1 and h d2 d1
(3.65)
3 b b and 3 d d

Load axes

Fig. 3.5 Concrete compressive strength for calculation of 3D concentration

From this geometrical limitation the following formulation is derived

A
β F β A f 3A f
, A (3.66)
f β f k 3.0 f
b l A A

The factor j represents the fact that the resistance under the plate might be lower due to the
quality of the grout layer after filling. The value 2/3 is used in the case of the characteristic
resistance of the grout layer is at least 0.2 times the characteristic resistance of concrete and
thickness of this layer is smaller than 0.2 times the smallest measurement of the base plate.
In different cases, it is necessary to check the grout separately. The bearing distribution under
45° is expected in these cases, see (Steenhuis et al, 2008) and Fig. 3.5 Concrete compressive
strength for calculation of 3D concentration
Fig. 3. The design area Ac0 is conservatively considered as the full area of the plate Ap.

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