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Minimum Stress between Bearing Plate and Concrete Foundation Calculator

Stress Formula:

\[ f_c = \frac{W_{min}}{A} - \frac{M_s}{Z} \]

N
mm²
N·m
mm³

1. What is Minimum Stress between Bearing Plate and Concrete Foundation?

Definition: This calculator determines the minimum stress at the interface between a bearing plate and concrete foundation under given loading conditions.

Purpose: It helps engineers ensure that the stress levels remain within safe limits to prevent deformation, cracking, or failure of the components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ f_c = \frac{W_{min}}{A} - \frac{M_s}{Z} \]

Where:

  • \( f_c \) — Stress in bearing plate and concrete foundation (N/mm²)
  • \( W_{min} \) — Maximum weight of empty vessel (N)
  • \( A \) — Area between bearing plate & foundation (mm²)
  • \( M_s \) — Maximum seismic moment (N·m)
  • \( Z \) — Section modulus of area A (mm³)

Explanation: The formula calculates stress by considering both the direct compressive stress from the weight and the bending stress from the seismic moment.

3. Importance of Stress Calculation

Details: Proper stress calculation ensures structural integrity, prevents foundation failure, and maintains safety standards in engineering designs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all required values with their units. The ±5% indicates the typical tolerance range for these calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the minimum stress important?
A: Minimum stress helps identify potential uplift conditions or areas where the connection might fail under seismic loading.

Q2: What's a typical acceptable stress value?
A: Acceptable values depend on materials, but typically concrete foundations can handle 5-7 N/mm² in compression.

Q3: How does seismic moment affect the stress?
A: Seismic moment creates bending stress that can either increase or decrease the total stress, depending on its direction.

Q4: What if the calculated stress is negative?
A: Negative stress indicates tension, which concrete handles poorly. This may require redesign or additional reinforcement.

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: The ±5% tolerance accounts for typical variations in material properties and loading conditions.

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