Automatic Wall Footing Key

[jwinklerQ3ZUJ]

We need some way of automatically creating the keyway that interlocks a foundation wall to a footing.   This is a basic typical building element, and we spend too much time manually inserting this as a detail component on EVERY detail.   Currently the structural wall footing has no way to add a reveal, and the foundation wall cannot cut elements from another category.   Please help.

[Anonymous]

It would be nice to have a "strip footing" tool, without having to need a wall with which to attach a foundation to. We currently model strip footings as "concrete beams" between pads, but this isn't really accurate from an Engineering perspective or from an analytical standpoint. I understand a lot of people model strip foundations as ground bearing slabs, sketching the outlines for each element. It would be simpler and easier for users to set a strip foundation width and depth, and then click between two points to create the strip footing.

[Mirko.Jurcevic]

I like the idea because of one reason: right category.

Beam tool is the right thing to use for strip foundations because, in essence, strip foundation IS structural beam on elastic surface. But, if you model it like that, it will end in Structural Framing instead of Structural Foundations category.

[lionel.kai]

Just like how a Foundation Slab is just a Floor with a different category, we also need a Grade Beam (or similar) option. Adding a checkbox to the Wall Foundation tool would accomplish this, although it would be better if we could customize the profile as well.

[matthewcranley6927]

At the moment we model a 'concrete beam' and then have to create a separate structural schedule and filter out the concrete beams from the structural schedule.

This can make it awkward depending on your callups and Marks on a job as the filtering can get messy with multiple fields.

Footings are not always associated with a wall above, this is especially true in raft footing design, there are many instances where a footing is required where there is no wall above. 

Without going to the extreme of creating a 'concrete beam' from the Structure Group and then having to filter out your concrete beams in your structural schedule, it would be nice to be able to place a footing that is not associated with any structure above.  This also applies to curved, stepped, offset and any other footing types that you can think of.

[rpasquale]

If you need a strip ftg without a wall, you can make a new family using the generic model-line based template and set the category to structural foundations. It will then have the same foundation thickness and width parameters as a typical wall footing, it will schedule w/ wall ftgs if needed, it graphically shows correctly, and it's the correct category.

Same concept for this post

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/interior-wall-footings/idi-p/7414944

[Mirko.Jurcevic]

Thanks for the suggestion rpasquale, but I am afraid it will not work. You cannot solve corner connections. Please take a look at the image, solid line is footing made like you suggested, and dashed line is "footing" made with structural framing tool.

See those gaps in the corners...

[palfuth]

You can create a "Structural Foundation: Isolated" footing and that will allow you to place a wall on top. I did this for a cripple wall. The key is to Edit Type and Duplicate; then you can input the correct size. You have to make sure the length is exact, but it works.

[matthewcranley6927]

@palfuth the whole point is to have a footing beam within the foundation category that is not associated with a wall above, if you wanted to have a footing (foundation) with an associated wall above, it would be easier to use a wall footing under the foundation category.

A raft footing system is a series of concrete beams at around 4m centres in both directions that have a slab over the top connecting all the beams, it is generally used in highly reactive sites (clays).  The issue at the moment is that to create this (and how we have done it since our take up of revit in 2012) is to create a concrete beam in the Structure category and filter it out in schedules.

If we were able to get a beam similar to that created in the structure category, but under the foundation category, then we would be able to have all pad footings, raft footings, ground slabs, and retaining wall footings all under the same schedule, and under the same category

[rnorrish]

Creating slab edge thickenings also works and you can offset from the slab edge to suit. any slab turndown can be modelled into the profile. by using filters they can read as footings in a colour view. Again; categories, tags and scheduling is let down but it's the best I've come across so far. If these are the same material as the strip footings they will join as well for a neat plan view.  It seems a pretty urgent fix by Autodesk IMO as it is a serious flaw for structural documentations.

[rnorrish]

the other way to workaround that is better in some instances is a model in place struct foundation as an extrusion in plan view. Just set level, and tag so it is the same as your Strip footing.

[lionel.kai]

@rnorrishWe avoid using Slab Edges except for the simplest cases (independent rectangular mechanical pads, stoops, etc.) - i.e. when I'm really lazy (and we don't need to show it in plan). I try to train only one way of doing things, and since they don't work when there's no edge, we need to use beams for interior thickened slabs anyway (so we use beams for edges as well, so they will clean up nicely). That coupled with the fact that you don't have to dig through the family node of the project browser to make a new beam size...

[Ric_Weber]

If the cut profile tool could be 3d and not thus not view specific, that would solve this immediately.