GATE CE 2021 Set 1 — Question 56
Go beyond PYQs with Success TrackerAI-powered personalised practice and doubt support. Unlimited practice on eligible plans; AI usage limits apply.NAT+2 / -0MediumCombined FootingShallow FoundationsGeotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering → Shallow Foundations → Combined Footing
Last updated
Question
A combined trapezoidal footing of length supports two identical square columns ( and ) of size , as shown in the figure. The columns and carry loads of and , respectively.
If the stress beneath the footing is uniform, the length of the combined footing (in m, round off to two decimal places) is ___________
Correct answer
5.7 to 5.9
Solution
For uniform stress distribution, the resultant of the column loads must pass through the centroid of the trapezoidal footing.
1.Total load .
2.Location of the resultant from the center of : .
3.Assuming the footing starts at the left edge of , the distance of the resultant from the left edge is .
4.The centroid of a trapezoid with parallel sides and from the side is .
5.Equating : .
Continue learning with Success Tracker
A step still unclear? Work through it with support
Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE CE question to check your understanding.
AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans
- PYQs with solutions
- Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
- Practice that adapts
- Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
- AI doubt support
- Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.
Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.
This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.
More questions on Shallow Foundations
2026 Set 1 Q18The name of a person in Column 1 is to be matched with the test mentioned in Column 2. | Column 1 |…2026 Set 2 Q21Based on the Casagrande’s plasticity chart, plasticity index (in ) of inorganic clays having a…2026 Set 2 Q22Information related to foundation design is provided in table below. | Column 1 | Column 2 | | :---…2026 Set 1 Q31For a liquid, the permeability of a sandy soil having a void ratio of was determined as…2026 Set 1 Q32To obtain undisturbed clay soil sample, an Area Ratio of needs to be achieved for a…