I am designing some combined footings in RAM Concept. One is a footing with 3 columns on it along with a non-load bearing wall. The other is a spread footing with a column and a load bearing wall. I started the 3 column footing with design strips as it is quite large (20 ft x 60 ft x 2'-6" as it is at a braced frame). Is this a best practice or should I just use design sections instead? I am using design sections on the smaller footing (13 ft x 13 ft x 2'-0")/
On both models (they are not linked to RAM Elements or RAM Structural), I do not seem to be able to put in distributed longitudinal reinforcing. I want to put in #6@12" EW T&B on the smaller footing and something heavier on the 3 column footing but whenever I try to put in the Distributed Reinforcing in the Long. direction it does not put anything in. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Mike
Something else I meant to ask. What is the best practice for checking the footings for sliding?
For a simple footing, or for any footing that does not have a "span" per se, then I like to use design sections.
Your rebar might not be getting added if the assigned depth is out of the concrete, especially where the thickness varies. See: RAM Concept Reinforcement [FAQ]
I'm not sure how engineers use the product to check sliding. Many models I see have only the area spring R and S stiffness to provide sliding stability.
Sliding of mats I check manually, by restraining the corner of the mat horizontally. Then using the % in contact and the pressure calculate sliding resistance. If necessary passive pressure can be used as well. But the general thing is that sliding must be checked by hand.