The study investigates the structural response of continuous footings under concentrated loads resting on an elastic foundation. The analysis aims to verify the interaction between beam bending stiffness (foundation flexural rigidity) and subgrade stiffness (soil modulus), which together govern the deformation profile, bending moments, and shear force distribution along the footing.
The analytical model follows the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory on a Winkler-type foundation, assuming an infinitely long beam subjected to a single concentrated load. This approach allows a direct comparison of deformation shapes and internal force gradients for different stiffness ratios between the foundation and the supporting soil.
Let us discuss the four possible combinations:
- Low beam bending stiffness + Low soil stiffness
- High beam bending stiffness + Low soil stiffness (next verification article)
- Low beam bending stiffness + High soil stiffness
- High beam bending stiffness + High soil stiffness (next verification article)
For the purpose of this verification, continuous footings with low bending stiffness were chosen for a study on numerical models.
Fig. 1 shows the four combinations of footing systems.
01) Continues footing strip with multiple columns (use-case)
Material models
Material behaviour and properties have been adopted from EN 1992-1-1 [1]. The design properties of concrete grade C30/37 and the corresponding reinforcement B500B with hardening have been specified (Fig.2).
02) Material models