Foundation system data

This command allows the definition of the geometrical data of the selected foundation type: strip footing, spread footing, mat foundation, circular foundation, in the presence of subgrade or ground water table. Colors can also be assigned in this window.

Strip footing
Considers the strip footing typology.

Spread footing
Considers the spread footing typology.

Mat foundation
Considers the mat foundation typology.

Circular foundation
Considers the circular foundation typology.

Foundation length (L)
Enter dimension in meters. Inactive for circular foundations.

Foundation width (B)

Enter dimension in meters. (corresponding to the diameter for circular foundation).

Footing base, left (BL)

Enter dimension in meters. Inactive for mat foundations or circular foundations.

Footing base, right (BR)

Enter dimension in meters. Inactive for mat foundations or circular foundations.

Footing height (HI)

Height of the lower side of the foundation in meters.

Column height (HS)

Height of the upper side of the foundation in meters. Inactive for mat foundations or circular foundations.

Bearing surface depth (D)

Represents the distance from the ground surface to the foundation base (bearing surface), in meters.

Embedded height (HF)

Gives the terrain height above the bearing surface that is considered in the bearing capacity term (Nq × gamma × D).

The use of this option can be of value in cases where the bearing surface is some meters depth below ground level, in which cases the bearing capacity could become rather high.

Inclination of bearing surface (P)

Represents the inclination of the bearing surface of the foundation, positive if clockwise.

Selecting the option "Embedded height = Bearing surface depth" the software performs the calculation of the bearing capacity considering the depth of the bearing surface entered in the geometrical data of the foundation.

Otherwise, the program assigns to the variable D the value of the "Embedded height". In case of foundations fully or partially embedded, the excessive depth of the bearing surface can lead to high values of the bearing capacity due to the high value of the term (γ · D · Nq), therefore it can be useful to perform the computation with the embedded height, by clearing the option above and enter the actual embedded part of the foundation in the ground.

Subgrade Shoulder, Height

Indicate the shoulder of the sub-foundation and the height in meters. In this case it is also possible to assign a color to the structure from those on the right side of the window.

Terrain extension on the left (EL)

Insert the extension of the ground surface to the left.

Terrain extension on the right (ER)
Insert the extension of the ground surface to the right.

Slope inclination (IS)

Represents the inclination of the slope to the left and right side of the foundation, positive if clockwise.

Foundation distance from slope (DS)

Represents the distance in meters from the foundation to the slope, to the left and right sides of the foundation.

GWT depth from ground surface

Enter depth of ground water table from ground surface. Where these two coincide enter GWT depth as 1cm=0,01m.

By clicking on the drawing, the clicked symbol will be highlighted in the window for a simpler input.