Structural design of isolated footings using steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC)

Abstract

This paper illustrates the structural behavior and performance of isolated footings designed using various material and reinforcement configurations. Specifically, the study focuses on four types of footings: plain concrete, conventionally reinforced concrete, steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC), and a combination of SFRC with conventional reinforcement. Designs were carried out for two safe bearing capacity (SBC) conditions: 440 kN/m² and 150 kN/m², simulating typical soil profiles encountered in construction practice. The design methodologies followed include IS: 456 (2000)[1] for traditional configurations and fib Model Code 2010 for SFRC and hybrid sections. Key parameters such as footing thickness, concrete volume, reinforcement quantity, punching shear resistance, and crack width compliance were comprehensively evaluated. The results demonstrate that SFRC can effectively replace shear reinforcement and that hybrid configurations can reduce footing thickness while ensuring compliance with strength and serviceability requirements. The findings advocate the practical application of SFRC in foundation engineering, highlighting its contribution to structural efficiency, material optimization, and long-term durability.