Dimensions Definition - General tab (RC foundation)

The General tab allows you to define the foundation type and its basic dimensions.

Access

Select RC Design Provided reinforcement layout, and then create a new RC element, or open an existing one.

By default this dialog is available at the bottom of the Foundation - View tab in the Provided reinforcement layout. Alternatively, you can access this dialog as follows:
  • Click RC Element Dimensions.
  • Click (Dimension Definition).

Dialog elements

Foundation type

Select one of the following options:

  • Spread footing,
  • Continuous footing for a concrete wall.
Geometry Type

Select one of the following options:

  • Rectangular spread footing or continuous footing,
  • Spread footing or continuous footing of a variable cross-section,
  • Rectangular spread footing or continuous footing for two columns.

If you want to design foundations supported by lean concrete, click (Lean concrete). An additional Lean concrete/Block foundation tab displays in the Dimension Definition dialog where you can define the parameters of lean concrete.

Note: The Lean concrete option is only available for the French geotechnical codes: DTU 13.12 and Fascicule No 62 - Titre V.
The following conditions of resistance are not verified for lean concrete during calculations of a footing on lean concrete.
  • Sliding.
  • Shearing and punching.
Column type

Allows to design a spread footing for one column.

You can select the following types of column cross-section:
  • rectangular,
  • circular.
Note: The Column type box may not be available for some RC codes. This box is available only if the Spread footing icon is selected in the Foundation type box.
Basic dimensions

Once the type and foundation geometry are selected, the list of dimensions for spread footing or continuous footing displays.

The dimension h4 is only a leveling layer of concrete which is not taken into account in calculations of the foundation (sliding, capacity, etc.).

Note: Foundation dimension editing depends on the selected foundation type and its geometry.

A Fixed option is located beside the dimension editing fields:

  • If deselected, foundation dimensions will be optimized to the applied load during calculations. These calculations may be performed prior to design in order to estimate the initial foundation dimensions for the applied load.
  • If selected, foundation dimensions are defined by the user and will not change during calculations and design.