ROTATION PREDICTION METHODS

Unlike Settlement case, there is very little information present about the prediction

methods for rotation of footing (ϴ). Therefore, this section presents a detailed review of the

prevalent rotation prediction methods.

1. Whitman (1967)

Whitman compiled the formulae for spring constants in case of rigid rectangular and rigid

circular base resting upon the surface of an elastic half space. The same have been shown

in Table 1and 2. The formulae obtained for rotation and vertical motion were rigorous.

Table:1 Spring Constant and Embedment correction factor for circular footing
(Whitman,1967)
Mode of Circular footing Author Embedment correction factor
vibration
Vertical 4𝐺𝑠 𝑟0 Timoshenko and 𝐷𝑓
𝐾𝑍 = 𝜂𝑍 = 1 + 0.6(1 − 𝜈)( )
1−𝜈 Goodier (1961) 𝑟0

Horizontal 𝐾𝑥 = 𝐾𝑦 Bycroft (1956) 𝐷𝑓

𝜂𝑋 = 𝜂𝑌 = 1 + 0.55(2 − 𝜈)( )
32(1 − 𝜈)𝐺𝑠 𝑟0 𝑟0
=
7 − 8𝜈

Rocking 8𝐺𝑠 𝑟0 3 Borowicka (1943) 𝐷𝑓

𝐾𝑥𝑥 = 𝐾𝑦𝑦 = 𝜂𝑋𝑋 = 𝜂𝑌𝑌 = 1 + 1.2(1 − 𝜈) ( )
3(1 − 𝜈) 𝑟0
𝐷𝑓 3
+ 0.2(2 − 𝜈) ( )
𝑟0
Torsional 16𝐺𝑠 𝑟0 3 Reissner and None available
𝐾𝑧𝑧 = Sagoci (1944)
3

Note: K = Stiffness of soil in respective direction, G s = Shear modulus of soil, 𝜂 = Embedment

coefficient in respective direction and ro = Equivalent radius w.r.t. dimensions of the footing.
Table:2 Spring Constant for Rectangular footing (Whitman,1967)
Motion Spring Constant Reference
Vertical 𝐺𝑠 Barkan (1962)
𝐾𝑧 = 𝛽 √𝐵𝐿
1−𝜈 𝑧
Horizontal 𝐾𝑥 = 2(1 + 𝜈)𝐺𝑠 𝛽𝑋 √𝐵𝐿 Barkan (1962)
Rocking 𝐺𝑠 Gorbunov-Possadov (1961)
𝐾∅ = 𝛽 𝐵𝐿2
1−𝜈 ∅
Note: 𝛽 = Geometry factor of foundation soil in respective direction (Fig.1).

Moreover, it was also claimed that the Poisson’s ratio introduces relatively little

uncertainties in the calculation of spring constant. A value of 0.4 was suggested to be a good

predictive value of Poisson’s ratio in case of most of partially saturated soils. The spring

constant can be further used to find the rotation of the footing using the relation between M

and ϴ.

Fig. 1 Chart for geometry factors for foundation motion (Whitman,1967)

Table:3Developed equations for Geometry factor of footings
Geometry Equation R2
Factor (Coef. of Determination)

Horizontal 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 0.994
𝛽𝑥 = −0.03 ( ) − 0.00843 tan−1 ( ) + 0.395√( )+0.964
𝐵 𝐵 𝐵

Vertical 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 0.999
𝛽𝑧 = −0.101 ( ) − 0.0104 tan−1 ( ) + 0.941√( )+1.761
𝐵 𝐵 𝐵

Rotational 𝐿 𝐿 0.999
𝛽∅ = 0.078 ( ) + 0.00157 tan−1 ( ) + 0.345
𝐵 𝐵
2. For a wind turbine, a square footing (15 m x 15 m) is subjected to moment of 11.7 MN-m
and vertical load = 3.51 MN. The soil parameters are E S = 10 MPa, 𝜐 = 0.50, cu = 20 kPa and
ϕu = 0ᵒ. Find rotation of footing. [Oct.’16]

Given
B x L = 15x15; M = 11700 kN-m; P = 3510 kN, ES = 10000 kPa, 𝜐 = 0.50, cu = 20 kPa and ϕu =
0ᵒ
Footing rotation can be expressed as
𝑀 (1 − 𝜐 2 )
tan 𝜃 = 2 𝐼𝜃
𝐵 𝑋𝐿 𝐸𝑠
For Rigid rectangular foundation
16
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐵
𝜋 (1 + 0.22 𝐿 )
𝐵
Here 𝐿 = 1, substituting value in equation
𝐼𝜃 = 4.17
Therefore,
11700 (1−0.52 )
tan 𝜃 = × 4.17= 0.0010842
152 𝑋 15 10000

As, ϴ is very small  tan ϴ ~ ϴ,

ϴ = 0.0010842
3. A rectangular footing with column moment of 24 kN-m and P = 180 kN. Footing is of size 1.5 m X
1.5 m. The soil parameters are ES = 10 MPa, 𝜐 = 0.30, C = 0 and ϕ = 30ᵒ. Check safety of footing
against tilt.

180 kN

24 kN-m

1.5 m X 1.5 m

Solution -

Footing rotation can be expressed as

𝑀 (1 − 𝜐 2 )
tan 𝜃 = 𝐼𝜃
𝐵2 𝑋 𝐿 𝐸𝑠
For Rigid rectangular foundation
16
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐵
𝜋 (1 + 0.22 𝐿 )
𝐵
Here = 1, substituting value in equation
𝐿

𝐼𝜃 = 4.17
Therefore,
24 (1−0.32 )
tan 𝜃 = × 4.17= 0.00269
1.52 𝑋 1.5 10000

As, tan ϴ = ϴ, ϴ = 0.00269

From table 1 of IS 1904

1
𝜃<
666
Hence, revision in the size of foundation is needed. B can be taken equal to 2.0 m to satisfy the criteria.