Optimization Criteria dialog Spread/Continuous tab

The Spread/Continuous tab is used to define the global optimization parameters for spread and continuous footings.

Setting	Description
Plan Dimensions	Used to define the footing's minimum plan dimensions and dimension increment during design optimization. In the case of the continuous footing only the l1/l2, thickness and the corresponding increment values are used; the w1/w2 values must be defined by the user and are automatically defined as the Plan Dimension when the continuous footing is defined. The minimum distance edge of base plate to edge of footing is checked to guarantee that the assumptions used in the base plate design are met when performing the footing design. The Plan Dimension Increment is used for incrementing the dimensions of the footing on each side of the column, not for the overall dimension of the footing. This value is used to increment each of the footing dimensions l1, l2, w1, and w2, starting with the greater of the Minimum distances specified.
Thickness	Used to define the minimum footing thickness. The thickness increment is also defined for optimization of the footings.
Safety Factor	Uplift Safety Factor – Used to define the minimum acceptable spread and continuous footing uplift safety factor. When the check box is activated the uplift safety factor that is entered in the text box will be used in the optimization of the footing. Footings that do not meet the minimum safety factor will be increased in size till they meet the limit.

Setting

Description

Plan Dimensions

Used to define the footing's minimum plan dimensions and dimension increment during design optimization. In the case of the continuous footing only the l1/l2, thickness and the corresponding increment values are used; the w1/w2 values must be defined by the user and are automatically defined as the Plan Dimension when the continuous footing is defined.

The minimum distance edge of base plate to edge of footing is checked to guarantee that the assumptions used in the base plate design are met when performing the footing design.

The Plan Dimension Increment is used for incrementing the dimensions of the footing on each side of the column, not for the overall dimension of the footing. This value is used to increment each of the footing dimensions l1, l2, w1, and w2, starting with the greater of the Minimum distances specified.

Thickness

Used to define the minimum footing thickness. The thickness increment is also defined for optimization of the footings.

Safety Factor

Uplift Safety Factor – Used to define the minimum acceptable spread and continuous footing uplift safety factor. When the check box is activated the uplift safety factor that is entered in the text box will be used in the optimization of the footing. Footings that do not meet the minimum safety factor will be increased in size till they meet the limit.