Walls

Question: Do walls restrain the slab laterally?

Answer: Yes, if you select Shear Wall as a property. If the Shear Wall is unchecked then the slab is allowed to slip freely over the top of the wall. The walls rotational stiffness is independent of the Shear Wall setting; use the fixity settings to control the walls rotational stiffness about its longitudinal axis.

Question: What is the effect of specifying walls above?

Answer: Wall elements can be used to model the stiffness and spanning ability of walls connected to the slab. You should exercise caution when using them. See Walls above.

Question: Do walls above the slab support the slab vertically?

Answer: No, they act like beams. See Walls above.

Question: Do walls above the slab provide rotational restraint?

Answer: There is no restraint at the far end of a wall above. (Even if Rotationally Fixed at Far End is checked, it is ignored).