I am trying to model/design a mat foundation (more like a concrete beam) on top of piles. I modeled concrete columns to represent the piles and needed to know if there is a way to get the program to let me know what the forces on the pile caps are? It is lateral forces that will be applied to the structure. I have attached the file I created and the following notes/questions apply:
Foundation Calcs..cpt
The error occurs because no user reinforcement is modeled but the option to "Check Capacity of User Reinforcement without Adding Additional Program Reinforcement" is checked in Criteria - Calc Options. Since there is no user reinforcement and the program is not adding program reinforcement, no capacity checks can be completed.
Model the applied loads on the appropriate Loading Layer and then run the model. See Section 33.3.3 "Creating New Results Plans" for instructions on creating a new reactions plan for loadings or load combinations. These plans were not adding by default because the model was created as a mat foundation and soil bearing plots were created by the program instead.
Answer Verified By: Brian Roye
Thank you. That fixed the warning issue. On the topic of displaying column (pile) forces caused by the lateral loads, would applying point springs mid depth of the mat (beam) at the location of each column be an appropriate approach?
You can do one of the following:
1. Keep column pinned near and far. Add a point spring or support at mid=depth of the slab.
2. Keep column pinned near. However, change column properties so that "Roller at Far End" is unchecked and Fixed Far is checked. Point springs will not be needed with this approach.