topic Re: creating footings for columns in Modeling

creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Thu, 25 May 2023 15:48:40 GMT

What is the best way to create footings for a column.
With the limited knowledge in archicad ,i think it can be done in 2 ways.
1) is to use concrete walls for the footings, and using a slab for the base on the footing.
2)use complex profile in wall tools .

Re: creating footings

Karl Ottenstein — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:47:54 GMT

You build it as it would be built, but your description sounds unusual for a column footing - so perhaps there is something unique about your column or your soils. Can you post an image of what you want to achieve?

Typically, for an isolated column bearing onto strong soils, the column tool itself is the most useful tool for footings, IMHO, if the footing is simply a slab. This is because, unlike the slab tool, the column tool has a center hotspot, as well as anchor points which allow you to keep the footing positioned exactly as desired relative to the column above and any surrounding elements.

Cheers,
Karl

PS Do not double post - I've removed your duplicate.

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:47:05 GMT

IN fig shown are step footing and trapezodial footings

For a trapezodial footing,If i use column tool for the base and wall tool\double slanted complexity for the top portion ,these are considered as 2 different bodies.

sorry for double posting

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:50:04 GMT

step footing

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:09:57 GMT

correction-the trapezodial footing is slanted on all 4 side as shown in new fig.

Re: creating footings for columns

Fran_ois Chatelain — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:18:39 GMT

Hi there,
answering your question with my usual answer: mesh tool 😉
Using the mesh tool with sharp edges will yield the desired result. Input the requested base thickness, then the desired height for the column base and that's it.
It will also be treated as a single "object" for volumes calculations.
Cheers
Francois

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:15:34 GMT

François wrote:
Hi there,
answering your question with my usual answer: mesh tool 😉
Using the mesh tool with sharp edges will yield the desired result. Input the requested base thickness, then the desired height for the column base and that's it.
It will also be treated as a single "object" for volumes calculations.
Cheers
Francois

I'm yet to learn @ mesh tool, so please elaborate.
how to use mesh tool with sharp edges?
In mesh tools settings\model there are 3 options all sharp edges.2)users defined sharp 3)all ridges smooth.is it one of these ?.

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:37:38 GMT

use complex profile

Re: creating footings for columns

Fran_ois Chatelain — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:51:05 GMT

Hi,
trace the outline of your footing with the mesh tool, select the newly created mesh and trace the area where the column sits (still with the mesh tool), then select the option "add new points" when prompted, ok. Finally click on one corner of that area, select the Z option in the pop-up menu, type in the desired height, apply to all, ok, that's it.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Francois

Re: creating footings for columns

Karl Ottenstein — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:03:33 GMT

Beautiful illustration of the process, François! 🙂

Karl

Re: creating footings for columns

Fran_ois Chatelain — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:11:08 GMT

Thanks Karl, and with the cedilla, I'm flattered 😉
I know I could have added some "space-clicking" tricks for faster editing if one is to trace over an imported DWG

Cheers
Francois

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:23:08 GMT

thanks François
and how to do the same thing for a step footing(fig given in previous post)

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:08:28 GMT

My first post

I'm just in the process of learning how to create footings - I followed Francois's step by step but how do you get the option "add new points" ?

Thanks

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:04:49 GMT

kiwistudent wrote:
I'm just in the process of learning how to create footings - I followed Francois's step by step but how do you get the option "add new points" ?

Welcome to the forum!

With the mesh selected and the mesh tool active, draw some points on the surface of the mesh. Click twice on the last node (or once on the first node if you have formed a closed polygon) and the 'add new points' box will appear.

Hope that helps!

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:50:26 GMT

I appreciate the process of modelling a footing of this shape, but I wonder about what circumstances suggest the shape itself. This shape requires formwork for the concrete. There are much simpler ways of building footings for columns, such as square pads that do not need formwork. However, if this footing is exposed to view, I can understand the architectural merit.

Re: creating footings for columns

Aussie John — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:51:04 GMT

Im not keen on the mesh solution for the following reason. No sooner will you have created and placed all your footings when the structural engineer will have changed the design and you have to go through the whole process again.

Might be better to create one then make an object for the rest. With a model you could modify the script to turn off the 3d function which for the most part is redundant as you cant see the footing through the dirt any way and even if you can see them they can be rather confusing if not setout in a perfect grid.

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:24:56 GMT

I followed those instructions but I do not get the option "Add new points" - I get the little toolbox with 11 options (i.e add to polygon, fillet, elevate etc). Is it supposed to come up there?

I have the student version of ArchiCAD 12 - I followed the three tutorials but they don't suggest how to create footings hence me using the mesh option. It seems the easiest way to do it.

Re: creating footings for columns

Brett Brown — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:44:19 GMT

kiwistudent wrote:
I followed those instructions but I do not get the option "Add new points" - I get the little toolbox with 11 options (i.e add to polygon, fillet, elevate etc). Is it supposed to come up there?

I have the student version of ArchiCAD 12 - I followed the three tutorials but they don't suggest how to create footings hence me using the mesh option. It seems the easiest way to do it.

Kiwistudent, With mesh selected and still with the mesh tool selected and the rectangular geometry method selected, you draw inside the mesh and the add new points/create hole will pop up so can select either.

You will 99% of the time use slabs, walls, beams, complex profiles for footings. The main thing for new users to remember is that most tools can be used for other things and not just for their title.

If you are stuck on anything you can ring GSNZ on 09 4893235 and get an answer straight away. The quickest way to learn.

Re: creating footings for columns

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:10:04 GMT

Got it. Thanks Brett.

I prefer using the forum as I'm Deaf so can't hear over the phone. Thanks though

Re: creating footings for columns

Erika Epstein — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:24:22 GMT

There is also a library part:
Special Construction>special Structures>Basic Shapes>Polygon Prism.
Would this work?