User Guides

Foundations Guide
The Foundations toolbar contains the commands necessary to model and design both
isolated and mat foundations.

Foundations toolbar
The Foundations toolbar contains the following commands:
Button

Description

Options

Opens the Design Options dialog

Catalogue

Opens the Pile Type Catalogue.

Pad Base
Column

Creates a pad base under a column.

Strip Base Wall

Creates a strip base under a wall.

See How do I create a pad base column?

See How do I create a strip base wall?

Pile Cap Column

Creates a pile cap under a column.

See How do I create a pile cap?

Design Pad
Bases

Performs the design of all pad bases in the

model.
See How do I design or check all pad and strip
bases in the model?

Design Pile Caps

Performs the design of all isolated foundations

in the model.
See How do I design or check all pile caps in
the model?

Minimum Area

Creates a minimum area mat foundation

under selected columns/walls.
See How do I create a minimum area or
rectangular mat?

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Rectangular

Creates a rectangular mat foundation under

selected columns/walls.
See How do I create a minimum area or
rectangular mat?

Strip

Creates a strip mat foundation.

See How do I create a strip mat?

Area

Creates an area mat foundation.

See How do I create an area mat?

Design Mats

Designs or checks reinforcement in all mats

that are not inside patches.
See Design Mats

Design Patches

Designs or checks slab reinforcement in all slab

areas inside patches.
See Design Patches

Patch Column
(on drop list)
Patch Beam
(on drop list)
Patch Wall
(on drop list)
Patch Panel
(on drop list)

Creates a column patch which adopts the

specified Column Patch (unsaved) Properties
See How do I create a column patch?
Creates a beam patch which adopts the
specified Beam Patch (unsaved) Properties
See How do I create a beam patch?
Creates a wall patch which adopts the specified
Wall Patch (unsaved) Properties
See How do I create a wall patch?
Creates a panel patch which adopts the
specified Panel Patch (unsaved) Properties
See How do I create a panel patch?

Check Punching
Shear

Performs the punching shear checks.

Add Check

Used to add a check punching shear check

around a column or wall perimeter.

See How do I check punching for all Punching

Check items?

See How do I create a Punching Check item?

Related topics
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Commands on the ribbon toolbars

Isolated Bases
Isolated Base Creation

How do I create a pad base column?

1. Click Foundations > Pad Base Column (

2. The Pad Base Column Properties set is displayed - specify the properties as
required.
To place a pad base under a specific column:
1. Click anywhere on the required column. Tekla Structural Designer will add a pad base
under the column.
To create multiple pad bases by windowing:
1. Move the cursor to one corner of an imaginary box which will encompass the
columns under which you want to define bases.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag to the diametrically opposite corner of the box (you will see a rubber rectangle
on the screen which follows your mouse movements and helps you to check the
area in which you are creating bases).
4. Once the rubber rectangle encompasses the creation area release the mouse
button and Tekla Structural Designer will create bases under all columns which are
totally within the rubber rectangle.

How do I create a strip base wall?

1. Click Foundations > Strip Base Wall (

2. The Strip Base Wall Properties set is displayed - specify the properties as required.
To place a strip base under a specific wall:
1. Click anywhere on the required wall. Tekla Structural Designer will add a strip base
under the wall.
To create multiple strip bases by windowing:
1. Move the cursor to one corner of an imaginary box which will encompass the walls
under which you want to define bases.
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2. Click and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag to the diametrically opposite corner of the box (you will see a rubber rectangle
on the screen which follows your mouse movements and helps you to check the
area in which you are creating bases).
4. Once the rubber rectangle encompasses the creation area release the mouse
button and Tekla Structural Designer will create bases under all walls which are totally
within the rubber rectangle.

Mats
Mat Creation

How do I create a minimum area or rectangular mat?

1. Click Foundations > Minimum Area (

), or Rectangular (

),

2. The create foundation mat properties set is displayed - specify the properties as
required.
To create a mat in a 3D view:
1. Click anywhere on the first column or wall to be supported.
2. Continue clicking on subsequent columns or walls as required.
3. Either click on one of the supported members, or press <Enter> to create the mat.
To create a mat in a 2D view:
1. To select multiple walls - click and drag from right to left to encompass those walls
under which you want to define the mat.
2. To select multiple columns - click and drag from left to right to encompass those
columns under which you want to define the mat.
3. To add individual columns and wall - click on each member individually.
4. Either click on one of the supported members, or press <Enter> to create the mat.

How do I create a strip mat?

1. Open a 2D view at the base level where the strip is to be placed.
2. Click Foundations > Strip(

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3. The create foundation mat properties set is displayed - specify the strip width and
other properties as required.
4. Pick the strip start point
5. Click on subsequent points to define the strip as required.
6. Either click once again on the last point, or press <Enter> to create the strip.

How do I create an area mat?

1. Click Foundations > Area (

2. The create foundation mat properties set is displayed - specify the properties as
required.
3. Pick a construction point at a corner of the area.
4. Pick subsequent construction points for each remaining corner.
5. Either click once again on the last point, or press <Enter> to create the mat.

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