Foundation slab
Use the Foundation slab tool to define continuous foundation elements that distribute loads over a wide area.
When you select Foundation slab, a tool palette opens.
Main tools
- Define - create a new foundation slab
- Properties - check or edit parameters of an existing foundation slab. Opens the Default settings dialogue for the selected foundation slabs
- Convert - plane plate and some compatible solid shape elements into foundation slabs
- Hole - define openings within a slab using any of the supported contour tools
- Variable thickness - apply variable thickness (t2, t3) to an existing constant thickness slab
- Edge connection - define edge interaction and end behavior
- Physical extent - adjust the visible range of the slab’s geometry
- Info - display geometric and analytical data for the selected slab
- Default settings - set default values for geometry, material, and stiffness (read below in more detail)
To read more about Physical extent tool, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Physical extent
To read more about Info tool, see the topic:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell Info
Contour definition methods
Available for both Define and Hole tool.
- Rectangular - draw a rectangular contour
- Circular - draw a circular contour
- Polygonal - draw a custom polygon
- Pick lines - select lines from the model to define the shape
Only available with Define tool
- Pick existing region - reuse an existing region’s shape
Thickness settings
Use 3 thickness values to define a plane that controls the variable thickness of a slab.
- t1 - thickness value used for slabs with constant thickness and for first point of variable thickness slabs
- t2 - second point thickness value used for variable slabs
- t3 - third thickness value used for variable slabs
Connection tools
- Setup > - opens a dialogue for editing edge connection properties and end point behaviour
- Presets > - opens a list of previously saved edge connection setups created using the Setup dialogue
The content of the Setup dialogue is the same as for other plate and wall elements.
To read more, see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell Default Connections
Edge connection functions
Available when the Edge connection tool is selected.
- Edge connection properties - select an edge of a slab to view or edit connection settings. This opens a new dialogue window
- Endpoint behavior - define how the ends of a slab's edge connect or terminate. This opens a new dialogue window
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For Edge connection properties see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Edge connections - For Endpoint behavior see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Endpoint behaviour
Default settings dialogue
When you press the Default settings button, a dialogue window opens.
This dialogue contains four tabs: General, Slab, Material, and Stiffness. These follow the settings used in other structural elements.
To read more about these settings, see the relevant topics below:
- For General tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Foundation General - For Slab tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell general - For Material tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Regular Material - For Stiffness tab see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Shell Stiffness