Civil Engineering/strap footing

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Expert: - 11/10/2010


Question
Dear Arshad,  i bought piece of land back home in east Africa, the plot is in the middle of two dwellings already built and the foundation is L shape footing on one side and full footing in the middle and other end. when i see the L shape footing it is not connected to the middle footing cilumn, when i do research it is advisable to connect these two columns with stap beam which is not on the fianl design and i am bit worried.
would you advise me that there are infact situations where we don't need the strap beam?
many thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi K,

As it happens I have just returned home to Nairobi, operating as a freelance consultant!

There are no hard and fast rules about the need for strap beams- it really depends on the nature of the ground and also on the eccentricity of moment on any edge-footing or L-shaped footing, as in youir case. If the gravity loading pressure is quite even under the footing, there is no need for a strap beam.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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