Modeling Walls

Walls in VisualFoundation distribute applied loads and add significant stiffness to foundations. You define walls as elements spanning between 2 specified vertices. Walls have specified thickness, material, length (defined by vertex locations), and height. They may also have self weight.

Loading Walls

Vertical loads and moments in two directions may be placed on walls. Vertical loads and moments may be entered as distributed evenly along wall lengths, or as the resultant total. Loads may be entered in the global directions or in a local-system defined as parallel or perpendicular to the wall.

You may optionally include horizontal shear forces for sliding checks on the foundation; these forces are assumed to act at the top of the wall, so they will generate additional moments in the slab.

Analysis of Walls

Walls are modeled as a (very stiff) beam-element in the FEA solution. While stiffness is modeled, no stresses are reported.

Wall Design

Walls are not designed in VisualFoundation, they are used simply to define loads and to stiffen the foundation.