You are here:

Civil Engineering/Rigid foundations

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/5/2010


Question
hi
please give me the answer to this question and I'll be very grateful
the question is: when we consider the foundation is rigid?
thank you......

Answer
Hi Ali,

This is based on engineering judgement and depends partly on what the supporting strata is and also on what the loaded area is- e.g., is it a single column load or continuous walls etc, which may result in the foundation becoming more rigid.

Basically, once you analyse the foundation, if it does not deflect much under load from one end to the middle (say not more than L/500 to L/1000), then you can consider it to be rigid. Or, as a rule of thumb, if the thickness of a pad footing is more than say L/4, where L is the maximum length, then this can be considered rigid or stiff.

If you are asking about the support being fully fixed, then that is a different issue.

Civil Engineering

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.