Foundation Plugin
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Using the rectangular floor primitives I was able to manually create the floor on the previous foundation in about 30 minutes:
If I create the polygon floor tool I will be able to accomplish the same thing in under 10 seconds. The polygon floor tool in the truss plugin is next...
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Polygon stemwall foundation with post and beam interior supports.
Note that the smaller segments of the interior footing assemblies were created by copying the larger assembly and then trimming it to size with the Trim tool in the truss plugin.
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Version 1.1.1 - 04.23.2017
- Added polygon outline tool for stemwall foundation.
- Enabled perimeter rebar, anchor bolts, vents, and internal footings for (polygon) stemwall foundations.
View model here:
The next improvement would be a web_dialog input so that more than one internal footing can be specified at a time.
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I just realized that there may be a few items I missed in the last update with respect to the polygon stemwall tool and metric templates. I will do some more bug testing tonight to verify that all of the issues are addressed. I usually do all of my own work in standard US imperial units so sometimes in my rush to get a release out I forget to check all of the options and possible permutations using a metric template. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you do notice an error please feel free to post here or notify me directly. Please give as much specifics as possible, that always helps.
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The trim tool in the Truss Plugin comes in quite handy when dealing with more complex foundation geometry:
For this foundation I used the stemwall (rectangle and polygon) function and the slab (polygon) function. I had to trim the garage stemwall and also manually create the smaller interior post/beam assemblies. I also adjusted the position of some of anchor bolts once I cut the doors into the garage stemwall.
View model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/4ed9f28d-11e4-4166-b698-b3cd734cd2a1/Foundation-7
Throwing a roof onto this foundation is fairly straightforward:
View model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/7d17b0c7-8cfb-461b-a4a6-127fafe0ece6/Residence-7
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Recently I've received a number of requests for concrete columns to be added to the foundation plugin:
I'm still trying to figure out how to best add a concrete column module, I think it could gain some serious traction. This would cater more to the industrial rather than the residential side.
I'll use ASDIP Concrete Software as a guide in establishing the various options to include:
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This is a very interesting development. However, here is something to think about...
You need to consider if you want to expose yourself (or the persons using the extension) to possible legal action. Soil and load conditions differ from place to place and instance to instance. This would require the input a structural engineer to certify the correct steel choice and configuration. This would then mean that the steel reinforcing in the extension is really reduced to "for illustrative purposes only".
Which begs the question, just how much effort is thus justified with steel reinforcing options? Do you have a section for regular (non structural engineer) users with a "for illustrative purposes" type of output and a separate section (with all the "bells and whistles") you can only access with the completion / agreement of an indemnity?
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It looks like the "engineer" in medeek has taken over!
I agree with "juju's" thread of thinking.
The depth of detail suggested may be useful in medeek's engineering practice but have less value
for I guess the majority of users and prospective users.My suggestion would be these proposed changes are at the edge of "the bell curve".
It may be more prudent to stay within the "bulk" of users and prospective users requirements.Food for thought!
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A couple of things:
1.) Based on a conversation in the other forum I will be adding a global setting that allows one to specify the number of segments in the circular arcs that make up the rebar/mesh. This will allow a more lightweight model. The anchor bolts are pre-modeled and then dropped into the model as components. I will need to create some light weight versions of them for this purpose.
2.) So far this foundation plugin has been mostly geared toward the residential designer/architect. Concrete columns, beams, and more complicated footings and retaining walls are typically more the area of the commercial and industrial market.
It might make more sense to create a separate plugin that deals specifically with these reinforced concrete elements (Medeek RC). My engineering side wants to also integrate the calcs inside the plugin as well, so yes that element of me comes out sooner or later.
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Great work. I'd say we use a lot of conc. piers, columns and retaining walls in residential work, probably more than some, due to the soils and topography. Also because the buildings might be larger and less conventional, but still wood framed.
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Version 1.1.2 - 05.06.2017
- Added "Circle Segments" option within the global settings, rebar and mesh polygon counts can now be controlled.
In this example I set the segment number to "5".
The global setting circle segment number will default to 24.
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The foundation of the that goofy donut house:
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Some common configurations of concrete columns:
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A slightly darker version with shading pops out a little more:
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In our Passivhaus builds, this is the preferred foundation type for several reasons.
I think you would be surprised at the EPS insulation thickness under-slab... up to 14". Of course, this varies considerably with different climate zones. (We are in Quebec with winters where -40° is not unexpected)
There are modular slab insulation systems for FPSF. Iso-Slab is a Quebec-based one: http://www.iso-slab.com. Their web-site has technical info on these systems that may be of interest to you.
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I've had a request for adding the option of insulation around a slab on grade, in short a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF).
This should not be too hard to add in. There are a number of resources online I will study to come up with the most standard configuration as possible.
Are there any particular things anyone would like to see with regards to FPSF insulation.
The typical installation per the 2015 IRC:
The NAHB has an upated publication at this link:
http://liteform.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/FPSF-Guide-Revised.pdf
XPS vs. EPS? Not that this will affect the plugin but I am curious which is preferred by those who commonly install these types of systems.
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An FPSF with 2" foam insulation along the wall and vertically. 2.5" foam insulation at the corners with the following horizontal dimensions:
A = 12"
B = 24"
C = 40"
The rectangle foundation is easy, the polygon shaped foundation will be more challenging.
View model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/ab622b36-cc2f-43f8-baa4-f93ceec80741/FPSF
One thing to note is that if dimensions A or B exceed 24" then some form of protection for the horizontal insulation is required (ie. conc. slab, pavement, PT plywood).
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An irregular shaped FPSF, note the 135 deg. corners. Once this angle becomes greater than 135 degrees I would probably just treat it the same as a straight wall.
View model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/bfcf8f49-0e4e-4932-a42c-06121a20fd73/FPSF2
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Version 1.1.3 - 06.03.2017
- Added "FPSF" option to rectangular slab-on-grade foundations.
- Added "FPSF" option to rectangular stemwall foundations.
- Added an insulation layer in the global settings under the "Layers" tab.
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