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DESIGN CONSIDERATION
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The advantage of cast in site beam + slab raft concrete footings over pile+ post mount /pre cast ballast
foundation system and the 3 stability issues that are taken into design consideration are:
Overturning (up lift)
Sliding
Overshading
OVERTURNING (UPLIFT)
Excessive wind load forces can cause over turning moments (what is commonly referred to as uplift).
FIGURE 1, results from a failure of the precast ballasted footing to successfully counter excessive wind
loads. (This means the footing was the wrong weight and or size for the application.)
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Overturning on a pile driven or post mount system, FIGURE 2, results from a failure of the mounting
hardware, racking system, or post/soil interaction due to excessive wind loads.
SLIDING
Sliding is a potential failure that has been overcome with the concept of beam + slab raft footing
combination.
Although not as catastrophic as overturning, sliding can occur due to the wind induced forces on the
solar array system. The wind not only tries to push the Solar Array system horizontally, but it also
creates a lift which reduces the actual dead load of the entire system, see FIGURE 3. This reduced dead
load coupled with the horizontal wind force is what creates the possibility of a solar module and its
foundation sliding horizontally. Taking into consideration the type of Sub grade material on which the
beam + slab raft footings will be installed is the primary factor to provide resistance to sliding.
The ideal type of Sub grade is a well drained granular course material such as sand.
OVERSHADING
Another common mistake is to install rows of solar modules too close together which results in
overshading. In driven pile or post mount applications this can result from not fully understanding
the affect that a change in height can have on the way shadows fall on the solar system as a whole. With
precast ballasted footings this can occur as a result of altering the thickness of the ballasted footing in an
attempt to add weight when additional weight is required due to regions of higher wind speeds. Thicker
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ballasted footings could increase the overall height of the solar electrical system which could require an
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increase in distance between rows to eliminate possible adjacentrow overshading,see Figures 4&5.
OTHER FACTORS
One of the biggest misconceptions within the solar industry in regards to cast in site concrete footings
is that the footing size and the unit cost are directly related to the energy output or
watts of the solar electrical system. This could not be farther from the truth. The footing designs have
nothing to do with the power output or price per watt, and everything to do with the following:
Bearing Pressure.
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Support and racking configuration.
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Overall solar module system size and weight.
Local design codes and project requirements.
Soil characteristic relative to friction, sliding, consolidation, slope stability, etc.
Bearing Pressures:
Once the footing has been designed (sized) to prevent overturning and sliding failure, the soil bearing
pressures should be checked to ensure that they are in compliance with a soils engineers report that
may specify maximum bearing pressures.
Tilt Angle:
To maximize the output of the solar power system, especially in PV Solar Array applications, the
Optimal tilt angle is typically specified for nontracking systems, and remains fixed.
Structurally, higher tilt angles result in an increased wind load on the solar module which would require
a larger ballasted footing. In addition, higher tilt angles may require an increase in distance between
rows to eliminate adjacentrow overshading, see FIGURE 4&5. A lower tilt angle is often desired to
minimize the wind forces and reduce the footing size.
A lower tilt angle also results in reduced adjacentrow overshading potential which allows
the module rows to be spaced closer together. A cost comparison could be done to compare the tilt
angle versus the adjacentrow overshading versus the ballasted footing size. In addition, lower tilt
angles allow for more compact utilization of the land available by minimizing the unusable area that is in
shade thus offering an opportunity for more solar modules.
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Wind Speed:
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The most significant impact on the cast in site concrete footing design is due to the local design wind
speed. The local design wind speed can be found from the International Building Code, IBC, or from
the local building department where the solar power system is to be installed. It is imperative to get
the correct design wind speed as it has a direct impact on the footing dimensions, and thereby the
economics of the project. The force on the solar power system from the wind is directly related to the
wind speed squared ,V Square.
Code
IS: 875 (Part 1) 1987
Description
Code of Practice for Design Loads (Other then
Earthquake) for Building and Structures Unit Weight of
Building Materials and Stored Materials
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IS: 43261993
Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete.
IS:13920 1993
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IS: 20621999
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IS:1904 1986
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IS:8002007
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IS:801