Foundation mat properties


General
Name	The automatically generated name for the mat item.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Foundation type	Mat
Rotation angle	Specifies the orientation of reinforcement. Different angles can be specified for different panels within the mat. See: Rotation angle for slab items and panels
Include in diaphragm	If this option is cleared, the mat item does not participate in diaphragm action. All nodes linked to the mat item will be able to displace independently of the diaphragm.
Override slab depth	By default all panels in a slab adopt the same depth. Checking this option allows the selected panel to have a different depth and vertical offset.
Vertical offset	Only available when ‘Override slab depth’ is checked. A positive offset raises the slab panel surface, a negative offset drops it. Note: Vertical offsets are not structurally significant
Auto-design	For panels in Auto-design mode, As,prov is increased until either a pass is achieved or the limiting reinforcement parameter limits have been exceeded. For panels not in Autodesign mode, the result will be a pass or fail.
Plane	Indicates the level at which the mat is placed.


Slab general
Name	The parent foundation mat name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Slab type	Foundation mat
Deck type	• Reinforced concrete • Post tension Note: Design of post tensioned slabs is beyond scope in the current release.
Decomposition	Two-way


Slab parameters
Slab properties
Overall depth	Specifies the slab thickness.
Concrete type	• Normal • Lightweight
Grade/Concrete class	Specifies the concrete grade.
Concrete aggregate type	Specifies the aggregate type.
Concrete density class	For normal weight concrete only, specifies the density class.
Dry density	Specifies the dry concrete density
Wet density	Specifies the wet concrete density
Diaphragm option	Sets the default diaphragm action for all slab items within the parent slab. Rigid Semi-rigid None
Design parameters (Head Code Eurocode)
Permanent load ratio	You are required to supply a value for the permanent load ratio parameter. A default of 0.65 has been assumed, but you are advised to consider if this is appropriate and adjust as necessary.
Maximum crack width	• 0.2 • 0.3 • 0.4
Deflection parameters
Restraint constant	See: Restraint constant (ACI)
Restraint type (Eurocode only)	See: Restraint type (EC2)
Cement class (Eurocode only)	See: Concrete Properties (Eurocode)
Soil parameters
Use Ground Bearing Springs	Select to specify that the mat is ground bearing.
Allowable Bearing Pressure	The allowable bearing pressure is only required when the ‘Use Ground Bearing Springs’ option is selected.
Ground Stiffness The following properties are only displayed when the ‘Use Ground Bearing Springs’ option is selected.
Type	• Spring Linear • Spring Non-Linear
Stiffness	Only displayed when the Type is set to ‘Spring Linear’.
Stiffness -ve	Only displayed when the Type is set to ‘Spring Non-Linear’.
Tension limit -ve	Only displayed when the Type is set to ‘Spring Non-Linear’.
Stiffness +ve	Only displayed when the Type is set to ‘Spring Non-Linear’.
Compression limit +ve	Only displayed when the Type is set to ‘Spring Non-Linear’.
Horizontal Support	• Fixed • Free • Spring
% of vertical spring stiffness	This field is displayed when the Horizontal Support is set to ‘Spring’.


Live/Imposed load reduction
Reduce live/imposed loads by	This property is applicable for the design of transfer slabs and mats. Although the percentage of live load reduction is not determined automatically, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to an individual slab item - you don't have to apply a single value throughout a slab or mat (this can be important if you have discrete transfer panels within a large slab area). • reducible loadcases are reduced • combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced • The reduced results are used in slab design. Note: For mats, the bearing pressures are reduced as well.


Reinforcement
	Slabs panels can potentially have 4 layers of background reinforcement, (however any of the layers/directions can be set to “none” if required). Select/clear Outside layer in X direction as appropriate to indicate if the outside layer is in the X or Y direction. (The outside layer can be set differently for the top and bottom bars if required.)


Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	On When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Off When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	On When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Off When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).


All edges, Edge 1, Edge 2 etc.
Linear	Uncheck in order to specify curved edges.
Curvature	Defines the amount of curvature to all edges. Only displayed when Linear is cleared.


UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Create and manage user-defined attributes