International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Farah Naz, Zaheer Ahmed, Ali Hamza, Hasnain Ahmed, Saddam Hussain, Zeeshan Ali
Abstract: The structural performance of reinforced concrete buildings constructed on heterogeneous soil profiles is strongly influenced by soil–structure interaction, foundation selection, and load distribution mechanisms. This study presents the analysis and design of a basement + five-storey reinforced concrete commercial building founded on a non-uniform soil system consisting of medium-dense sand and soft clay under a high groundwater table. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed to evaluate structural response under gravity loading conditions in accordance with ACI 318-19 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete provisions. The results indicate that soil stiffness variation leads to differential settlement and redistribution of internal forces, particularly in beams and columns. A raft foundation system was adopted to improve load transfer and minimize settlement gradients, resulting in a maximum settlement of 21.3 mm and differential settlement of 6.4 mm. Optimization of structural elements reduced concrete and steel consumption by 10.5% and 13.1%, respectively, without compromising strength and serviceability requirements. The study demonstrates that integrating soil conditions with structural analysis and optimization enhances both performance and material efficiency in reinforced concrete buildings.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20736250
