Structural Analysis of Combined Footing on Piles

Abstract

Combined footings on piles are commonly used in bridges and buildings. However, there are very few references available regarding the structural analysis of these footings. This paper discusses three methods for analyzing combined footings on piles. The first approach consists of modeling the combined footing as a beam simply supported by the columns with pile loads represented by concentrated loads. The second approach is similar to the first one with the only difference being that column moments are applied at the supports. The third approach analyzes the footing as a statically determinate beam where the pile loads and moments, shears and axial loads from the columns are applied on the beam. The last approach is more accurate than the first two approaches.