SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Session 17: Placing Footings

Objective:
By the end of this session, you will be able to:

Place footings by using the Place Footing command.

Prerequisite Sessions:

SP3D Overview
SP3D Common Sessions
Structure: An Overview

Overview:
The footing generates geometry with a single identity that is sufficiently detailed for general
arrangement drawings and for participation in interference detection. It does not create
multiple separate parts with fabrication identities and properties.
A typical footing comprises the following parts as shown in Figure 1:

Base - A base supports one or more piers. Some footings for light-weight structures
such as a light pole do not have a base.
Pier A pier rests on the base and supports the grout layer. Some footings do not have
a pier in which case the grout is put directly on the base.
Grout A grout layer rests on the pier and supports the base plate.
Base Plate - A base plate rests on the grout layer and is welded to the supported
column.

Figure 1

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

Base
Pier
Grout
Base Plate
Column
Anchor Bolts
Reinforcing Bars

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

The default structure catalog provides several types of footings. The footings in the default
catalog have properties to size the geometry for all of the above components except the anchor
bolts and reinforcing bars. No properties for these components of the footing are provided. The
catalog administrator can add properties to the footing in the catalog to allow you to document
these components if it is important to your workflow.
There are two types of footings that you can place:

Single Footing - Single footing supports a single column.

Combined Footing - Combined footing supports multiple columns.

Notes:

Combined footing requires a minimum of two columns for placement.

Combined footing with a single column are put to the To Do List.
When placing a combined footing with a merged pier, all columns must have
the same bottom elevation. The software does not allow adding a column with
a different bottom elevation to the merged pier.

There are two methods to place footings:

By Member You select the ends of members to position the footing.

By Point You place the footing at a specific point.

Note:

The method for placing footings by point is normally used to place footings
relative to grid intersections - before the placement of members.

In both cases, the height of the footing can be defined by the identification of a supporting
surface or by entering the height of the footing, depending on the specific type of footing
chosen from the catalog.

Steps for Placing Single Footings by Member:

Place single rectangular footings on all the columns in Unit U02 by using the Place Footing
command. The view of the model after placing the single footings on the columns should
resemble the highlighted area displayed in Figure 2.

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 2: Final Output After Placing Single Footings

Before beginning the procedure for placing single footings:

Define your workspace to display A2 > U02 and the coordinate system U02 CS, and
switch to the Structure task.

On the Common toolbar, click the Fit button to fit the view on the screen and then
click the Common Views button and select the Isometric view.

1.

Click the Place Footing button on the vertical toolbar. The Place Footing ribbon and
the Select Footing dialog box appear.

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 3: Place Footing Button on Vertical Toolbar

2.

In the Select Footing dialog box, expand the Assemblies > Single > Pier FootingAsm
folder, click RectPierFootingAsm to place single rectangular footings, and then click
OK, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Select Footing Dialog Box

3.

Set the following parameters on the Place Footing ribbon as shown in Figure 5:

Placement: By Member

System: A2 > U02 > Structural > Footings

Figure 5: Place Footing Ribbon

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

4.

Select all the columns in Unit U02 and then click the Accept button on the Place
Footing ribbon, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Selecting the Columns for Placing Footings

Note:

5.

Select the supporting plane if the footing type you have selected requires it,
and then click the Accept button on the Place Footing ribbon. The software
disables this option if the footing type you have selected does not require a
supporting surface to be defined.

Click the Finish button on the Place Footing ribbon to place the footings, as shown in
Figure 7.

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 7: Finish Button on the Place Footing Ribbon

Steps for Placing Single Footings by Point:

Place single rectangular footings on all the columns in Unit U04 by using the Place Footing
command. The view of the model after placing the single footings on the columns should
resemble the highlighted areas in Figure 8.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 8: Final Output After Placing Single Footings

1.

Define your workspace to display A2 > U04 and the coordinate system U04 CS, and
switch to the Structure task, if not in the Structure task.

2.

Click the Place Footing button on the vertical toolbar. The Place Footing ribbon
appears.

3.

On the Place Footing ribbon, select the By Point option in the Placement drop-down
list to place the footing at a specified point, as shown in Figure 9.

4.

In the Type drop-down list, click the More option to choose the type of footing, as
shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Place Footing Ribbon

5.

The Select Footing dialog box appears. In the dialog box, browse to the Assemblies
hierarchy and select RectPierFootingAsm to place rectangular footings, and then click
OK, as shown in Figure 10.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 10: Select Footing Dialog Box

6.

On the Place Footing ribbon, click the More option in the System drop-down list as
shown in Figure 11. The Select System dialog box appears. Select A2 > U04 >
Structural > Footings system.

Figure 11: Place Footing Ribbon

7.

Identify the points where you want to place the footings and then click the Accept
button on the Place Footing ribbon, as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Selecting Points to Place the Footings

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

8.

Selecting the supporting plane smartstep is not required for this footing type. The
software will automatically activate the Select Plane smartstep, if it is required by the
footing type you have selected. After you have selected a surface, the command will
take you to the Finish state. The software disables this option, if the footing type you
have selected does not require a supporting surface.

9.

Click the Finish button on the Place Footing ribbon to place the footings.

Steps for Placing a Combined Footing by Member:

Place a combined rectangular footing on the columns in Unit U03 by using the Place Footing
command. The view of the model after placing the combined footing on the columns should
resemble Figure 13.

Figure 13: Final Output After Placing the Combined Footing

1.

Define your workspace to display A2 > U02 and coordinate system U02 CS.

2.

Delete all the footings that you placed in the previous procedure.

3.

Click the Place Footing button on the vertical toolbar.

4.

Select the By Member option in the Placement drop-down list, as shown in Figure 14.

5.

In the Type drop-down list, click the More option to choose the type of footing.

Figure 14: Place Footing Ribbon

6.

The Select Footing dialog box appears. In the dialog box, browse to the Assemblies
hierarchy, select Pier And Slab Combined FootingAsm folder, click

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

RectPierAndSlab_CombFootingAsm, and then click OK, as shown in Figure 15.

Figure 15: Select Footing Dialog Box

7.

On the Place Footing ribbon, click the More option in the System drop-down list
and select A2 > U02 > Structural > Footings.

8.

Select the two columns on the West side to place the footing and then click the Accept
button on the Place Footing ribbon, as shown in Figure 16.

Note:

You must select at least two columns to place a combined footing.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 16: Selection of Columns for Placing a Footing

9.

Select Grade Elevation (0 Ft) from the Workspace Explorer as the supporting plane, as
shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17: Selecting the Supporting Plane

Note:

The software disables the Select Plane option if the footing type you have
selected does not require a supporting surface to be defined.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

10. Click the Accept button on the Place Footing ribbon. The view of the model will

resemble Figure 18.

Figure 18: Sketch of the Combined Footing

11. Click the Finish button on the Place Footing ribbon to place the footing.

Steps for Placing a Combined Footing by Point:

Place a combined rectangular footing at the bottom of columns in Unit U02 by using the Place
Footing command. The view of the model after placing the combined footing on the columns
should resemble Figure 19.

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Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 19: Final Output After Placing Combined Footing

1.

Define your workspace to display A2 > U02 and the coordinate system U02 CS and
switch to the Structure task.

2.

Click the Place Footing button on the vertical toolbar.

3.

Set the following parameters on the Place Footing ribbon:

Placement:
By Point
System:
A2 > U02 > Structural > Footings

4.

In the Type drop-down list, click the More option to choose the type of footing that
you want to place.

5.

In the Select Footing dialog box, browse to the Assemblies hierarchy, select
Slab Combined FootingAsm folder, click RectSlab_CombFootingAsm, and then click
OK to place the combined rectangular footing, as shown in Figure 20.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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SP3D Structure Tutorial: Placing Footings

Figure 20: Select Footing Dialog Box

6.

Identify four points at the bottom end of the remaining four columns where there is no
footing and then click the Accept button on the Place Footing ribbon.

Note:

You must select at least two columns to place a combined footing.

Select the supporting plane if the footing type you have selected requires it,
and then click the Accept button on the Place Footing ribbon. The software
disables this option if the footing type you have selected does not require a
supporting surface to be defined.

7.

Select Grade Elevation (0 Ft) from the Workspace Explorer as the supporting plane.

8.

Click the Finish button on the Place Footing ribbon to place the footing.

For more information related to footings, refer to the Implementing Footings: An Overview
topic in the user guide StructureUsersGuide.pdf.

Copyright 2009 Intergraph Corporation

Last Updated: March 6, 2009 for SmartPlant 3D 2009

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