VisualFoundation Logo VisualFoundation

Mat foundations, combined footings, and pile caps

Get Smart Design of Concrete Footings

Engineers Rest on VisualFoundation

Use this focused tool for an easier and more powerful way to model foundations. General FEA tools (like VisualAnalysis) can do a lot, but this is faster and smarter about the foundation-specific engineering.

VF Design Your Foundations Now

Sketch Boundaries

Draw or import foundation geometry quickly. Mat (or raft) foundations are easy.
  • Complex perimeters
  • Multiple slab thicknesses
  • Holes in the slab
  • Different soil regions
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Define Components

Place walls, grade beams, columns, and pile supports. Powerful editing tools help you get the job done quickly.
  • Drag column lines to move
  • Click to select/edit
  • Group-editing features
  • Copy and paste, generation
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Apply Loads Easily

Point and click load application that is flexible and clear.
  • Axial, shear, moments
  • Column, beam, wall loads
  • Area loads
  • Copy and scale
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Get Stability Checks

The software automatically checks for stability in each load combination.
  • Service or strength level
  • Your safety factors
  • Uplift
  • Sliding checks
  • Overturning (any axis)
  • Bearing pressures
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Covers Punching Shear

Punching boundaries around columns or piles or walls are determined for you. Overlapped punching areas are combined and checked.
  • d/2 distance from face
  • Override punching boundary
  • Code checks
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Make Smart Designs

Both ACI 318 and CSA A23.3 concrete checks are provided for the slab, beams and column-piers. Pile structural checks too.
  • Finds rebar requirements
  • Checks your specified slab bars
  • Grade beam detailed checks
  • Pile design (steel, wood, concrete)
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foundations and footings

VisualFoundation Specifications

Detailed benefits and capabilities. Please see the User's Guide for complete details and short training videos.

Building Codes & Material Specifications

  • IBC, ASCE 7 or NBC load combinations (customizable)
  • Concrete: ACI 318-19, ACI 350-20, or CSA A23.3-19 (also older versions)
  • Steel Piles: AISC360-22 or CSA S16-19
  • Wood Piles: NDS 2018

Modeling

  • Mat foundation (raft) analysis and design.
  • Pile cap analysis and design
  • Complex mat boundaries, including circular and polygonal templates
  • Generate copies of modeling elements using rectangular or circular patterns
  • New! Use the command-line to create scripts    
  • Multiple mat thicknesses or soil properties
  • Holes in mats
  • Combined footings
  • Isolated footings (QuickFooting is specific to this purpose)
  • Wall footings
  • Concrete walls, grade beams (for loading or stiffness)
  • Columns (for loading, punching shear)
  • Pile supports (steel, wood, or concrete)
  • Pile stiffness control
  • Automated FEA mesh generation
  • Control mesh refinement near piers and piles
  • Automated soil compression spring stiffness
  • Sophisticated thick-plate finite element formulation
  • Import & export DXF files
  • Import & export with VisualAnalysis

Loads and Load Combinations

  • Customizable load combinations
  • Streamlined seismic load combinations
  • Uniform or linear area loads, rectangular or circular
  • Circular and rectangular "ring" loads
  • Overturning or uplift loads
  • Column loads, axial and moments
  • Linear beam loads
  • Wall loads, axial and moments

Stability Checks

  • Checks for overall horizontal sliding forces
  • Plots and checks bearing pressures
  • Overturning checks on the footing
  • Seismic overturning reduction per ASCE 7 12.13.4

Strength Checks

  • Slab shear plotted and checked
  • Column and column-group punching shear checks
  • Wall punching shear design checks
  • Pile support and group punching shear checks
  • Pile capacity limits are checked for tension or compression
  • Grade beams are checked for shear and moment

Design Features

  • Single or double layer of slab reinforcement
  • Size each layer of slab steel
  • Reinforcing bar patterns
  • Specify punching shear reinforcement
  • Design of piers (pedestals) for combined loads
  • Structural design of piles (wood, concrete or steel)
  • Grade-beam checks and reinforcement
  • Pile sliding resistance may be specified
  • Override for column or pile punching perimeter
  • Override for minimum mat reinforcement
  • Export to VisualAnalysis for more complicated tasks
  • Import from VisualAnalysis includes project criteria settings and wall reactions

Reporting

  • Post-analysis statics check reports are now available
  • Average bearing pressure value is calculated for the entire footing
  • Full-color reporting for a professional look and easy reading
  • Slab and grade-beam moment and shear diagrams
  • New! Plate moment and shear diagrams 
  • Preview the report before printing
  • Customize what items are included in the report
  • Easy export to .xls, .docx, or .pdf file
  • Print one-page graphic summaries

What will YOU accomplish with VisualFoundation?

VF Download the Free Trial

Progress Upward with VisualAnalysis

Try both VisualAnalysis and VisualFoundation together, right now: The free trials are completely functional. Trials come with training videos and email support.

The IES Building Suite includes four of our most popular tools at a discount. Available in the Quick Order form, this bundle is an excellent value. VisualFoundation solidifies your investment in VisualAnalysis.

IES Building Suite: a practical, economical choice for engineers.
steel rebar cage