Wall foundation (Geometry)

Wall foundation property	Description
Icon
Modules where available
Axis position	Arbitrary (horizontal, vertical and skew)
Geometry	Straight and curved
Cross-section	Arbitrary profile
Eccentricity	Available
End connection	Rigid and hinged, or custom defined by Point-point connection
Material	Concrete
Load direction	Arbitrary in
Load type	Point load (force and moment), Line load (force and moment), Line temperature variation load, Line stress load, Line support motion
Available analysis results	Displacement, stresses, stability and vibration shape in
Available design	Foundation design
Default Short Command	FWL

Table: Wall foundation properties

Definition steps

1. If needed (and available in the current FEM-Design module), set a proper position for the working plane.
2. Start  Wall foundation command from  tabmenu and choose  Define.
3. Set the properties of the new Wall foundation at Default settings:
   
   • Identifier (General)
     The program automatically generates it, but you can define custom value. Identifier (ID) number can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
   • Analytical system (General)
     Here the user can choose how to model the Wall foundation depends on if “Calculate soil as a solid element” is chose or not. If “Calculate soil as a solid element” is not chosen in “Code, Configuration” dialog, user can choose if he/she wants to model the Wall foundation by line support group or by surface support group. In this case bedding modulus can be set in Default settings / General dialog.
     
   • Insulation (General)
     User can apply insulations attached to the bottom of the wall foundation. If Calculate soil as a solid element is activated, Insulations are calculated as part of the Foundation object with the user-specified parameters. Otherwise, they are ignored.
   • Section
     Choose a profile from the Section library or define a new cross-section by parameters. The applied section name can be displayed in model view (Display settings).
   • End conditions
     The end connections can be set under the End conditions tab similarly to Beams. Only the released motion (arrow) and rotation (two-headed arrow) components are displayed in the model view (Display settings). Rigid connections can be customized to hinged or semi-rigid (spring) with additional Point-point connection.
   • The end connections (in the beam start and end) with joined objects can be set to rigid or hinged by motion and rotation components. The component directions are valid in the beam’s local co-ordinate system.
     Inactive component means a fixed motion/rotation, while a checked component behaves as free motion/rotation in the assigned direction.
     
     
     Only the released motion (arrow) and rotation (two-headed arrow) components are displayed in the model view (Display settings).
   • Eccentricity
     Eccentricity has effect in calculation and it can be turn on/off with Consider eccentricity in calculation option. The default position (center of gravity) of the beam axis (local x’ axis) can be set in the aspect of analysis/design calculation or accurate display.
     The axis position (symbolized with yellow point in the section) can be set with its coordinates in the local y’z’ plane, or can be placed into special section points (e.g. plate corners) by dragging the yellow point into the requested position.
     
     
     
     Two type of eccentricity option can be chosen:
     
     First type (“End releases applied at the ends of the theoretical axis”) is typically used for modeling RC bars which work together with concrete slabs (slab normal forces transfers to the bar).
     The second type (“End releases applied at the ends of the gravity (physical axis)”) is for modeling single plate and bars which are not working together.
   • Material
     Only concrete material can be set for isolated foundation Analysis and Design.
4. Choose a geometry definition method for the wall foundation reference line (axis).
5. Define the Wall foundation in the model view based on the chosen geometry method.

Optional steps:

6. Modify the geometry with the Edit menu commands valid for line elements.
7. Modify the bar properties with the  Properties tool of the Wall foundation tool palette.
8. Set the display settings of beams at Settings > All > Display > Soil and Foundation.
   
9. The Wall foundations are stored on “Foundation” and if they modeled with Surface support group their supports will be stored at the “Support” Object layers. The color and pen width settings by selected beam elements can be modified by Edit > Properties > Change appearance.