Combined Footing

[Yousef ZAA]

Hi All,
Some local codes recommend combined footings instead of single in case of the distance between two single footings is less than the least dimension of one of the single footings, without any references. but it's really hard to achieve for instance i have two footing 4x4 m with sapacing 2 m, for what the local code requires it should be combined, but i dont feel it should, a 2m spacing would not allow overlapping, if you guys can advise from experience or advise a reference please!
Regards,
Yousef

 

[jayrod12]

Structural design of the footing would not need to consider the combined actions unless you are having rebar continuous between the adjacent footings. However, you may want to discuss with the geotechnical engineer to determine if the bearing pressure is applicable in this scenario as it may act more like a strip footing instead of a single pad, i.e. two directions of stress distribution instead of four.