STAAD.foundation

2) Completely Integrated Design with STAAD.Pro

STAAD.foundation is tightly integrated with STAAD.Pro (a leading product in structural analysis and design) with bi-directional flow.

You can open any STAAD.Pro file and import all column positions, support reactions, and so on. It even keeps track of changes in the STAAD.Pro model. If the superstructure gets updated, you can easily merge new output results within STAAD.foundation file.

STAAD.foundation is a must have for any STAAD.Pro user. It saves a tremendous amount of time and reduces errors.

3) Incorporates Rigid and Flexible Methods of Design

STAAD.foundation includes both rigid and flexible methods of foundation design.

Spread footings, combined, strip, and single column pile caps are designed using rigid methods to match the steps of a design engineer. It also has fully capable FEM analysis where the user can model a simple footing or large mat. It provides a sophisticated and accurate tool to analyze and design mat foundations for multiple regions with different soil properties, thickness, holes, and beams.

4) Provides Auto-Meshing and Physical Loading for Mat Foundations

We understand the frustration and time you might face in converting a physical mat into thousands of analytical components in order to do a sophisticated FEM analysis. STAAD.foundation eliminates this step by creating analytical components with auto-meshing. 

However, the output and design results are based on physical entities like slabs and beams. You can automatically convert local axis analysis results to a global (or user defined) axis system. This not only saves time, it reduces errors significantly.

5) FEM Analysis for Accurate and Economical Designs

STAAD.foundation has a very unique and innovative technique for mat design that takes full advantage of FEM analysis, which can provide for an accurate and economical design. It designs the slab at thousands of discrete points taking into considerations unlimited number of load cases. This unique approach to creating user-defined reinforcing zones helps the user to visualize and optimize the reinforcement requirement. You can even select a section on any part of the mat and design reinforcement along that cut line. Punching shear checks are also included at columns.

6) Easily Handles Complex Foundations

No matter how complex your foundation is, STAAD.foundation can handle it. Whether it is rectangular, complex polygonal, circular or elliptical, STAAD.foundation has the tools to model any shape.

In addition, you can model both regular and irregular column lines. The sophisticated mesh generation algorithm allows you to create holes (cut-outs) and inner regions with different thicknesses to simulate pedestals. Loads automatically transfer from the top of the pedestal to the base of the foundation. The user can specify unlimited number of load cases for analysis and design.

7) Thorough Output Including Calculations

Since STAAD.foundation is developed by engineers, it understands an engineer’s need to review results by presenting a detailed calculation sheet.

STAAD.foundation lists all relevant code clauses with equations and calculated values. You can follow the method used in the program and feel confident with the results. Our calculation sheet is based on XML format so your clients can view the calculation with any Web browser even if they don’t have the software.

8) Detailed Drawings Directly from the Program

Detailed foundation drawings are exported via DXF format to create site drawings. The detailed drawings include both plan and section drawings with rebar marks in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Layout drawings are also provided and include all the footings designed in the project to scale with grid lines and grid marks. With the help of this drawing, users can check for mistakes—and the program actually marks all overlapped regions. For example, two isolated footings may overlap; and by utilizing the layout drawing, users can decide to design these as a combined footing.

9) Automatic Pile Arrangement

Pile arrangement can be a tedious task.  However, STAAD.foundation includes a wide range of predefined pile arrangements to save you time. In addition, the program can automatically select the best possible pile arrangement for a given pile capacity. The BOCA standard is followed for predefined pile arrangements.

10) Unparalleled Service and Online Help

Our support staff is comprised of engineers with in-depth knowledge of the program. With over 14 full time support personnel, Bentley can provide 24/7 support to anyone, anywhere in the world.

In addition, we have more than 10 movie tutorials which explain all possible steps needed to use STAAD.foundation and we have a growing FAQ section posted on our Web site.