FE Analysis of Foundations

The foundation system is modelled in the Graphic Editor and can comprise of mats, piled rafts,
pads, pile caps and strip footings. All of these foundation types can be analyzed in the FE Raft
Foundation Analysis module.

Prior to FE Raft Foundation analysis, it’s necessary to complete the structural analysis to
determine the loads to be used in the raft foundation analysis.

FE Raft Foundation Analysis is only available at the foundation storey. It is accessed by

selecting "FE Raft Foundation Analysis" from the "Run" pulldown.

The form is composed of the following pages:

1. Floor Mesh and Analysis: The Finite Element model is generated and analyses from
here using the selected parameters by clicking the “Floor Mesh and Analysis” button.

2. Post Analysis Processes and Reports: This page is used for visualizing and reporting
the displacements and forces obtained from the analysis.

3. Model Export (Optional): This page can be used for transferring the FE model to
other analysis packages.

Main Topic/Sub Topics

Floor Mesh and Analysis

Post Analysis Processes and Reports
The Mat Foundation Post-Processor
Model Export

Slab Deflection Checks

The "Creep/Cracking" button located on the "Finite Element Floor Analysis" form is used to
make an allowance for creep, cracking and shrinkage when determining concrete slab deflection.
Key points relating to the use of this button are available by following this link: Cracking &
Creep

A comprehensive discussion of creep, cracking and shrinkage is provided in the following topics,
along with a detailed comparison of the BS8110 and EC2 slab deflection checks.

Main Topic/Sub Topics

 Overview of Concrete Slab Deflection
Slab Depth and Deflection Comparisons
Summary

FE Analysis of Floors
The vertical load analysis of floor systems and any slab strips as required, modelled in the Orion
Graphic Editor can be carried out within the Finite Element Floor Analysis Module.

The Finite Element Analysis form can be loaded by selecting "FE Floor Analysis" from the
"Run" pulldown.

The form is composed of the following pages:

1. Floor Mesh and Analysis: The Finite Element model is generated and analysed from
here using the selected parameters by clicking the “Floor Mesh and Analysis” button.

2. Post Analysis Processes and Reports: This page is used for visualising and reporting
the displacements and forces obtained from the analysis.

3. Model Export (Optional): This page can be used for transferring the FE model to
other analysis packages.

Main Topic/Sub Topics

Floor Mesh and Analysis

The Mat Foundation Post-Processor

Click the “Analysis Post-processing” button to access the Mat Foundation Post-processor.

The post-processor is equipped with several options to provide a visual display of the analysis
results: displacements, moments and various other graphical outputs can be investigated.

Main Topic/Sub Topics

FE Analysis of Foundations
View Controls
View Settings
Model Display Controls
Loading and Effects
Displacements and Contours
Design Strips
Transferring Mat Foundation DeUsage of Slab Strips

Slab Strips are used for creating a means for the analysis, design and curtailment of slabs. Slabs
along the strip are determined and their analysis is performed along the strip if the moment
coefficients method is selected. Similarly, a continuous beam analysis is performed along the
strips if ribbed slabs are encountered.

If the method of analysis is selected to be finite elements, then the design results along the strips
are collected from the analysis results based on the type of slab strip set by the user.

The Usage of Slab Strips:

1. Analysis and Design of Slabs: Slabs and Ribbed Slabs that are found along the strips
are analysed and designed. If the strip is a Finite Element Strip, then the analysis results
are collected from the finite element model results otherwise, the analysis of the slabs
along the strip is carried out using the moment coefficient method.

2. Insertion of the Reinforcement Bars: Steel bars calculated during the analysis of the
slabs are inserted along the strip based on the Strip Type parameter.

3. Analysis and Design of Ribbed Slabs: A continuous beam model is created along the
strip for the analysis and design of ribs.

Steel Bars are calculated only along the direction of the slab strips. For that reason, strips must
be defined along both directions for two-way slabs. More than one strip may need to be defined
along one direction for L-shape slabs to take into account different spans.

Slab Strip Definition

Similarly, more than one strip may need to be defined along slabs with different adjacent slabs
along an edge. In such cases, in order to make a correct quantity extraction, slab span lines may
need to be manually modified.

Main Topic/Sub Topics

Working Slab Strips

sign Strip Results

Slab Strip Properties

The "Slab Strip Properties" will be loaded when the "Slab Strip" option in the
"Member" pulldown (or toolbar) is selected.
Slab Strip
The "Slab Strip Properties" has one page only.

After arranging the fields for the slab strip form, a new strip will be inserted by dragging two
points in the drawing area.

The following fields exist in this form:

Strip Label

The label that will identify the strip can be entered in this field. This field is limited to 3
characters.

Slab strip labels are composed of a positive integer (1 to 99) preceded by the character "x" or
"y". The strips along a direction closer to the horizontal must be labelled using "x" followed by
the strip number and the strips along the other direction must be labelled using "y" followed by
the strip number. The strip numbers need not be successive.

For example, the 3rd strip along horizontal direction will be labelled as "X3" and the 2nd strip
along vertical direction will be labelled as "Y2".

As for all member types, the "Member List" in the "Member" pulldown can be used to list the
members of the same kind. This list can be used to select a member by label.

A text control spin button exists to the right of the label field to facilitate the creation of
successive label text.

Steel Layer

If the strip is set to be one of the “Span Band Strip”, “Support Strip” or “Fixed Band Strip” type
Finite Element Strips, then define the "St. Layer" number (as "1" or "2"). Effective depth of the
slab will be set based on the layer number entered in this field as follows:
 For the 1st layer steel:
Cover to Bar Center = Concrete Cover + (Bar Size Along Strip / 2)

 For the 2nd layer steel:

Cover to Bar Center = Concrete Cover + (Bar Size Along Strip / 2) + (Bar Size Along the Other
Direction)

In slab systems with beams, steel layers will automatically be set using the plan dimensions of
the slabs that the strip intersects. According to this, the steel bars that are located along the short
span of the slab will have the layer number “1” whereas the bars in the other direction are located
in Steel Layer “2”.

Finite Element Strip

If you are inserting a Finite Element Strip (i.e. the moments will be collected from the finite
element analysis results), then check the "Finite Element Strip" option in the Slab Strip Form and
select the Strip Type from the "FE".

“Finite Element Analysis” of the slab must have been performed in order to continue with the
reinforcement calculations. Type of the Finite Element Strip must be consistent with the slab
system. For example, if you are working with a slab system with beams, the Finite Element Strip
type must be “Span Strip”. Similarly, if the system you are working on is a flat plate, then
differing with the location, “Span Band Strip”, “Support Strip” or “Fixed Band Strip” must be
selected.

In the case of a Waffle Slab or a Ribbed Slab, “FE Rib Strip” must be used.

Manual Strip

If you are defining a strip to insert steel bars manually, you can check the “Manual Strip” option.

The “Manual Slab Strip” dialog will be displayed if this option is checked. You can fill the data
fields located in this dialog to display the steel bars associated with this strip.

Slab Strip End Conditions

End conditions at the start and end of the slab strip can be set using the option buttons near the
"At Start" and "At End" labels. The axis label will mark the start and an arrow will mark the end
of the axis in the plan window.

Available Slab Strip End Conditions are:

Slab Bob Cantilever

At Start:
At End:

Prior to inserting the strip, choose:

 Cantilever option at start or at end if there is a balcony slab at the respective end of the strip,

 Bob option at start or at end if the strip is terminated by a supporting beam (or a support band
beam). The top steel bars will be bent at the outer edge of the support beam when this end-
condition is used.

 Slab option at start or at end if there is another slab at the respective end of the strip. When
this option is checked, a new field will appear below the option buttons as “b-Slab (At Start)” or
“b-Slab (At End)”. Enter the dimension of the adjacent slab along the strip in the related field.

An easy way of determining this dimension is clicking to this input field with the mouse and then
selecting the slab (by clicking to the label in the plan window). Then the width along the strip
will appear.

The top steel bars are extended further into the adjacent slab by the anchorage length set by the
user.

After all the slab strips are defined, Slab and Ribbed Slab analysis and design reports can be
prepared using the menu options in the "Slab Table" and "Ribbed Slab Table" forms respectively.

Integral Strip

If you are using a Fixed Band Finite Element Strip, you can check the “Integral Strip” option if
you want to calculated the design moments using integral approach rather than calculating the
maximum moments within the strip range.

Number of Longitudinal and Transverse Points

You can set the number of sampling points to be used in the Finite Element Strips along
(longitudinal) and perpendicular (transverse) strip directions.

Wall Properties
"Wall Properties" will be loaded when the "Wall" option in the "Member"
pulldown (or toolbar) is selected. A new wall can be defined by arranging the
Wall Button fields in the form and then by dragging two axes intersections in the plan window

The “Wall Properties” form can also be accessed after selecting an existing wall and then by
right-clicking and choosing the “Properties” option in the shortcut menu. You can select a wall
member by using one of the “Member Selection” methods described previously.
When the “Wall Properties” form is open, right clicking a new Wall member and selecting the
“Select and Load Properties” option in the shortcut menu will load the properties of the new
member in the same window.

The “Wall Properties” form comprises four pages named as “Gen”, “Model”, “Drop” and “3D”.
You can shift between pages by pressing the related tab heading.

The form comprises the following fields:

Label

The label that will identify the wall can be entered in this field. This field (after formatting) is
limited to 8 characters. A text control spin button exists to the right of the label field to facilitate
the creation of successive label text.

As in all member types, the wall member labels will be listed in the “Structure Tree” under the
related storey heading. This list can be used to select a member by label.

Repeating member labels is not permitted in a building. During the insertion of members the
program will sound an alarm and a warning note will appear in the status bar if a repeating
member label is detected.

Wall Thickness (b)

"b" is the thickness of the wall, which is the section dimension along its minor direction.

Wall Eccentricity (b2)

The eccentricity of the wall along its minor direction is defined by the field "b2" measured as a
distance between the insertion axis and the edge below having a left I-end and a right J-end.

"b2" value cannot be greater than section width or less than zero.

Wall Member Section Properties

Wall Extensions (I, J)

These fields define the extension dimensions of the wall from I and J axis intersections. I-
Extension is measured from "I" Reference Point to the edge at left and J-Extension is measured
from "J" Reference Point to the edge at right along the major direction of the wall.

These values must be greater than or equal to zero.

Insertion Axes

All structural members are inserted based on axis intersections as an insertion reference. At least
two axes of different direction code (namely 1 and 2) must intersect at every insertion point.

The simplest method for defining the insertion axes of wall elements is dragging two axes
intersections in the drawing area. For dragging two points, first press the left mouse button and
drag it to the second point while the button is still depressed, then release the left mouse button.

Following rules apply for the insertion of Walls:

1. Insertion points can be dragged in any preferred direction along the insertion axis.
The defined "I" and J" points will be swapped automatically when necessary with lower
left point priority.

2. At least one common axis must exist among the axes found in the two intersections.
This common axis is termed as the "Insertion Axis" of the Wall.

3. At every axis intersection at least a direction-1 and a direction-2 axis must be found.

Labels of the axes that reference the “i” and “j” ends of the wall will be displayed in “Top” and
“Bot” fields in the “Wall Properties” form. Identical axis intersections will be written in these
fields when the wall is first defined. In this case wall will be placed vertically between the storey
levels. In order to define a wall that is battered between the storey levels, “Top” and “Bot” fields
must be changed.

To change the insertion axes written in the “Top” and “Bot” fields;

1. Click on one of the axis label shown on the “Top” and “Bot” fields. The color of the
label will turn red.

2. Click on the new axis on plan window. You can also pick the appropriate axis among
the “Members” list that is activated when double-clicked or right-clicked on the axis
labels in “Top” and “Bot” fields.

3. Press “Update” button.

 You can also use the “Pick Bottom Insertion Point” button to change the bottom
Pick Bottom insertion point of the wall. For this purpose, pick the new longitudinal axis line
Insertion on plan window after you clicked on “Pick Bottom Insertion Point” button.
Point
Moment of Inertia (I1, I2) Section Area (A) and Shear Area

"I1" is the moment of inertia along direction-1 axis (about direction-2 axis) and "I2" is the
moment of inertia along direction-2 axis (about direction-1 axis) of the wall.

“Shear Area” is used for the calculation of shear deformations and is calculated automatically as
"5/6" times the axial area of the section.

The program calculates the section properties of rectangular walls automatically if any (or all) of
these fields is zero. You can view the calculated values by pressing the “Display Section
Properties” button under the “Section” heading in the form

You can make manual modifications to any of the section property fields that you want to
override those which are automatically calculated.

Wall Material Definition

Material properties (concrete and reinforcing steel grade) defined on the Pre-Analysis tab of the
“Building Analysis” dialog will be assigned to the Wall element unless otherwise specified.

The material type to be used in the particular Wall Element can be selected using the dropdown
list located in the “Material” field. “Concrete” is selected by default and Concrete Grades can be
further specified in the “Concrete” field as described below. “Steel” type can be selected if the
wall is to be manufactured from steel. A default Modulus of Elasticity value is displayed in “E”
field, but it can be further modified.

For materials other than concrete or steel, set the “Material” field to “General”. However, an
appropriate Modulus of Elasticity must be specified for the material. For materials other than
“Concrete”, the “Concrete” and “Steel” fields will be disabled and the wall will not be included
in the section design.

Concrete

If this field is left as “Default”, the Modulus of Elasticity for the related wall will be calculated
using the Concrete Grade determined on the Pre-Analysis tab of the “Building Analysis” dialog.
By selecting a different Concrete Grade from this list, you allow the program to use the
corresponding Modulus of Elasticity and Characteristic Compression Strength in the
calculations. The Modulus of Elasticity value will also be displayed in the “E” field on the same
form. User-defined Modulus of Elasticity values which are independent of Concrete Grade can
also be entered in this field. You can press the "Display Section Properties" button for viewing
the Modulus of Elasticity value used by the program.
In “Column Section Design” the wall will be considered to possess the Concrete Grade defined
here.

Web Steel (Longitudinal)

If this field is left as “Default”, the Steel Grade for the related wall will be taken from the Pre-
Analysis tab of the “Building Analysis” dialog. By selecting a different Steel Grade from this list
you allow the program to use the corresponding Yield Strength in Section Design.

Drop Panel

In Flat Slab type floor systems, a drop panel can be inserted on top of the walls in order to
increase punching resistance. To place a drop panel, select “Drop” tab in the “Wall Properties”
form and check “Insert Column Drop Panel” option.

Dimensions and Eccentricities of the Drop Panel can be adjusted using “b1”, “b2”, “e1” and “e2”
data fields. Depth of the Drop Panel can be defined by using “h-Head” field.

Changing Relative Height of Wall Bottom Nodes

There are two ways to change the relative height of wall bottom nodes.

The first way is to manually modify the “Del-z (I, bot)” and “Del-z (J bot)”fields in “3D” page
of the “Wall Properties” form. In order to change these values:

1. Select an existing wall.

2. Right-click and select “Properties”.

3. Click on “3D” tab.

4. Write the relative height from the lower storey level in “Del-z (I,bot)” and “Del-z
(J,bot)”fields. (Negative values will elongate the wall downwards while positive values
will shorten it upwards).

5. Press “Update” button.

The second way is to utilise plane members. Plane members can be used to modify more than
one wall at once. Besides this, a plane member may have a certain inclination and it can force the
linked walls to obey the plane definition.

Assigning Wall Support Type

In order to define the Support Type for the Bottom Node of a wall;
 1. Select the wall member. Load the “Wall Properties” form by selecting “Properties”
option in the shortcut menu.

2. Select “Default”, “None” or any other user-defined support types using the “Support
Types” list located in the “3D” page of wall properties form.
Please refer to “Support Type Definitions” section in order to create user-defined support
types.
”Default” support restrains all six degrees of freedom (DOF) at bottom nodes of all
columns and walls defined in St01. In other words, all St01 columns/walls’ bottom nodes
will have a fixed support, whereas other nodes in the system are not restrained.
Bottom nodes of columns/walls will be free to displace, if “None” is selected.

3. Press “Update” button.

Wall Model Type

Orion provides two different options for the analytical model of walls.

Analysis model of each individual wall member can be specified using “Wall Model Type” field
in the “3D” tab of “Wall Properties” form.

One of the two models, is the “Mid-pier Model” which utilizes a single column at the center of
the wall with two rigid arms extending to two sides along the wall width at the top and at the
bottom. Other model is “Finite Elements Shell Model” which offers more accurate results for
certain types of walls. You can control modelling options globally for all the walls in the system
by using “Modelling Options” in “Building Analysis” form. Also, you can override the global
model option by selecting a model type other than “Default” from the dropdown list in the “Wall
Model Type” field in “Wall Properties” form.

By this way, you can use different wall models for each separate wall. It is even possible to
model the same wall using different methods at different storey levels.

Update Button

Whenever you make new specifications in one of the fields in “Wall Properties” form for an
existing wall member, press the “Update” button in order to display the changes in the plan
window.

Close Button

Pressing the “Close” button will close the “Wall Properties” form and return back to “Select
Mode”.
Wall Insertion Options Button

This tool button is designed to facilitate the definition of the wall eccentricity "b2". The
"Update" button in the toolbar must be pressed to update the selected member with the new
eccentricity values.

After setting the dimensions of a wall, you can easily set the wall eccentricities
Wall Insertion by pressing the “Wall Insertion Options” button.
Options

Alternatively, you can control the “b2” value using the direction keys of your keyboard. In order
to modify the eccentricities, first select a wall and load the “Properties” dialog. Then, the “b2”
property will be modified and the wall is displaced. The eccentricity step value can me set using
the “Member Section Eccentricity Step” value in “Graphic Editor View Settings” dialog.

Defining Offset Walls

If a column/wall sits on another column/wall defined on a different axis intersection, that

column/wall is said to be discontinuous in analytical way of thinking. Such a column/wall will be
indicated by a different colour. If the mentioned axis intersections are too close and if 40% of
upper column/wall’s area resides within the lower column/wall, Orion will link these “offset”
columns with automatic rigid links. By this way, unintended user errors can be tolerated.

Note: This type of modelling should be avoided. Although Orion is optimised for minimising
user errors, analysis data file size may grow unnecessarily if false modelling is intentionally
used. In the offset column case, application of rigid links in long offset distances may result in
reduction in axial loads and increase in moments due

Choice of Method

Slab loads can be decomposed on to beams by either the traditional “Yield Lines” method, or by
the “Finite Elements” method.

Yield Lines Method

By default, slab loads are decomposed using the Yield Lines method.

Note that, line, point and patch loads inserted on the slab panels are distributed evenly over the
area of the slab panel when the Yield Lines method is used for load decomposition.

Finite Elements Method

If the Finite Elements decomposition method is required, “Load Decomposition by FE" (located
in the “Run” menu) must first be carried out for that particular floor.
A special Finite Element structural model is created for the floor in order to calculate the loads
transferred to the beams. All nodes generated along the beams are restrained in z-direction in the
model. The reaction profiles calculated from the analysis are applied to the beams as slab loads.
For that reason, special care should be provided to make sure that each beam is defined by at
least five or six nodes for an acceptable level of accuracy.

Note that, due to the irregular meshing of triangular DKT plate elements used for Finite Element
modeling, exact symmetry of loading profile may not be achieved in all cases, but a much more
reliable load distribution can be obtained in cases where slabs are loaded with line,

FE Analysis of Floors
The vertical load analysis of floor systems and any slab strips as required, modelled in the Orion
Graphic Editor can be carried out within the Finite Element Floor Analysis Module.

The Finite Element Analysis form can be loaded by selecting "FE Floor Analysis" from the
"Run" pulldown.

The form is composed of the following pages:

1. Floor Mesh and Analysis: The Finite Element model is generated and analyzed from
here using the selected parameters by clicking the “Floor Mesh and Analysis” button.

2. Post Analysis Processes and Reports: This page is used for visualizing and reporting
the displacements and forces obtained from the analysis.

3. Model Export (Optional): This page can be used for transferring the FE model to
other analysis packages.

Raft Foundation Mesh and Analysis

The raft foundation finite element model preparation module can be loaded by pressing the “Raft
Foundation Mesh and Analysis” button.

Generate Model
A triangular mesh consisting of DKT plate elements and frame members (if they
exist) will be generated when the “Generate Model” button is clicked on the
toolbar. Any beams that exist at foundation level are modelled as frame members
sliced to be compatible with the plate mesh. Any piles that exist are also
modelled.
In the raft foundation model, provided you have not chosen to ignore the bearing capacity of soil,
spring elements are created at each node of the triangular elements for the generated mesh. Each
spring is equivalent to the subgrade reaction of the soil area the node represents. If you have a
piled raft, the piles are also included in the FE model. The forces and moments obtained from the
structural analysis are applied at the nodes of the columns. The forces and moments
perpendicular to the direction of the walls are distributed using the tributary area of the nodes of
the walls. The moments in the direction of the wall are applied as equivalent couple forces on the
nodes. These forces vary linearly with the distance to the center of the wall and the sum of the
moments with respect to the center adds up to be the total moment on the wall.

The size of triangular plate members generated is determined by a combination of the “Plate
Element Size” and the “Mesh Uniformity Factor”. These values should be tailored carefully
according to the required mesh density, as the mesh density significantly affects the model size
and accuracy of computations.

The generated model will be saved automatically after meshing.

Plate Element Size

This is used to specify the maximum plate size that can be created within the mesh. Minimum
plate sizes will be dictated by physical boundaries in the model (e.g. column boundaries) and by
seed nodes. Specifying the “Plate Element Size” too small results in an overly fine mesh
requiring longer to perform the calculations. Conversely if the “Plate Element Size” is too large,
the mesh will be too crude to produce accurate results.

Mesh Uniformity Factor

The "Uniformity Factor" can be modified to adjust the uniformity of the mesh for various floor
plans. Acceptable values range from "0" to "100".

If "100" is entered the plate element size will generally be similar everywhere in the model.

At the other extreme, if "0" is entered, the size of the plate elements will be smaller in relatively
smaller slab panels, cantilever slabs and around the slab openings.

For piled raft foundations in particular, the general guidance on initial mesh settings seems to be
that setting a reasonable max plate element size in conjunction with a relatively high mesh
uniformity factor is likely to produce a practical mesh without un-necessary over refinement

Analysis

Press the “Exit” button in the “File” pulldown of the “Mat Foundation and Analysis” form in
order to analyzed the generated structural model. Analysis will be performed automatically. The
phases of the analysis process can be monitored from the displayed console window. This
window will close as soon as the analysis is completed.
The Building Analysis Process

To begin this process pick the “Building Analysis” option located in the “Run” pulldown menu –
this will load the “Building Analysis” form.

The “Building Analysis” form comprises 6 tab pages namely, “Pre-Analysis”, “Model Options”,
“Analysis”, “Post Analysis”, “Model Export” and “Reports”. You can carry out all the steps
related to the Building Analysis using these pages. The typical process is described below:

1. The items that are required to be specified prior to the analysis are grouped under the
“Pre-Analysis” tab. These include the basic parameters (design codes etc.) accessed by
clicking “Parameters”. You must also determine the material properties to be used in the
design of the structural members via “Edit Materials”. You can determine the
combinations to be used in the analysis using “Edit Load Combinations”. Furthermore,
you can re-examine the information about the structure such as center of gravity, storey
loads and their application points by clicking “Edit Storey Loads”
These items are fully described in the previous section, Building Parameters, Loading and
Materials

2. You can determine the options to be used in the formation of analytical model by
using the fields located under the “Model Options” tab. This form comprises three
sections namely, “Model”, “Stiffnesses” and “Settings”.

3. Before running the analysis it is useful to first check the model for various potential
geometric errors by running the “Building Model Validity Check” which is located on the
“Analysis” tab.

4. In order to perform the analysis you must check the “Building Analysis” option
located in the “Analysis” tab. If required you can also check the “Perform Eigenvalue
Analysis” option.

5. Optionally, you can check “Column/Wall Reinforcement Design” and “Beam

Reinforcement Design” options to select or check the steel in columns, walls and beams.
Note that these options are also available in the “Run” pulldown.

6. Click the “Start” button on the “Analysis” tab to start the building analysis. Here,
first of all beam loads are calculated, then the integrity and completeness of the graphical
information is checked and related connectivity data is prepared. A Finite Element model
of building is created with frame elements (and optionally shell elements for the walls)
after the preparation of the connectivity data. The analysis is performed in a single pass
unless staged construction load cases are detected, in which case a staged construction
analysis is performed.
 7. Assuming the analysis completes without any problem a “Building Analysis
Completed Successfully” message will appear at the bottom of the dialog.

8. After completing the Building Analysis process without any error, you can use the
buttons located under the “Post-Analysis” tab to graphically review the results on a 3-D
model of the structure, to create the analysis reports and to carry out Column/Wall and
Beam Reinforcement Design.

9. If required you can export the structural model to other packages using the buttons
located under the “Model Export” tab.

10. Finally you can examine and take print outs of the prepared reports using “Report”
page.

In your query, you indicated that you are analyzing a multi-storeyed building, but it is not
mentioned that what is the expected load at base and what is the kind of soil. Are you
concerned with differential settlement or it is extremely difficult to do the raft analysis
manually?
You also indicated use of solid element for raft modelling. I guess, that you mentioned this in
order to model the raft accurately in its physical size. Please note that you will be interested in
bending moments and shear forces to qualify the raft foundation, which will be given only by
2D elements (plate bending or shell elements), as solid element do not give these
forces. Hence, you have to model the raft using 2D elements and solid element use is ruled
out.
All FE programs have some strength and some limitations. If you have no prior experience in
using 2D elements, I also suggest you to run few small examples on software to understand the
modelling requirement, meshing requirement, result interpretation etc. You shall select the
examples for which the solution is available or can be obtained by manual calculations. This
will help you understand the software and its output better.
The next important parameter is soil representation. While the concrete raft is modelled using
plate elements, the soil is represented using springs. The spring values are obtained from
modulus of subgrade reaction (ks). Please note that ks is not SBC / allowable settlement. The
exact determination of ks value is done by geotechnical engineer and the values are usually
mentioned in soil report. The relation between SBC and settlement vary among soil
types. Please refer to JE Bowels for more this topic.
If you are doing response spectrum analysis (RSA) for multi-storeyed building, please do not
forget to correct the sign of reactions in seismic load cases as RSA result in loss of sign and all
the forces are positive.
At many locations in the model, the results of BM and SF obtained from software are extremely
large and unrealistic. If you design using these forces, you will end up in an uneconomical
design. This usually happens at support locations or at loading points, where large forces are
generated in analysis.
Since, plate bending element result in bending and twisting forces, you need to use appropriate
method to combine bending moments with twisting moment in appropriate direction to obtain
correct bending moment value for the design of reinforcement.
There is an approach called STRIP integration. In this, the element forces within a given width
of strip are averaged out. This process reduces the concentrated forces and provides
reasonable forces for design in given strip. This approach is used in a software called SAFE. I
guess, similar approach is not given in STAAD.Pro.
In summary, you need to check whether you really need to do such rigorous analysis. If it is
required, you shall pay attention to element selection (3 or 4 noded), meshing locations,
element aspect ratio, estimation of spring constant, bending and twisting moment output, strip
integration, shear check in appropriate direction. Punching shear check need to be done
manually as software may not be providing these facilities.