Design of Isolated Footings of Rectangular Form Using a New Model

In the design of reinforced concrete rectangular footings subject to axial load and flexure in two directions, there are different pressures in the four corners, these are exercised by soil. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to take into account the real pressure of soil acting on the contact surface of the footings, these pressures are presented in terms of the mechanical elements (axial load, around moment the axis “X” and around moment the axis “Y”), when applying the load that must support said structural member. The classical model takes into account only the maximum pressure of the soil for design of footings and it is considered uniform at all points of contact area of footing, i.e., that all the contact surface has the same pressure. Also a comparison is developed between the two models as shown in the results table. The data show that the classical model is larger than the model proposed. Therefore, normal practice to use the classic model will not be a recommended solution. Then the proposed model is the most appropriate, since it is more economic and also is adjusted to real conditions.