In recent times the problem of analysis and design of raft foundation slabs of tall circular structures like water towers, silos, chimneys and hyperbolic cooling towers under the action of wind and earthquake forces has attracted wide attention of ongincers in the research and design fields. The slabs of such type are usually circular with or without a concentric hole and are frequently provided with a tapered thickness, which is a function of the radial distance only. These slabs can be treated as axisymmetrical circular plates of variable thicknesses for analysis and design. In the above mentioned structures, the loads are transmitted to their foundations either through columns or through cylindrical or conical shells. When columns are used, circular rafts are invariably preferred to individual footings for guarding against uneven settlement of foundation. In this case a circular ring beam connecting the column bases is provided. In the case of staging of the shell-type, the provision of a circular raft is obvious.