Below is a list along with a brief description of each command available for modeling foundations. Directions on the precise use of each command are provided in the on-line help. Many of the commands are also covered in the Tutorial.

Foundations can only be laid out after columns and/or walls exist in the model.

Footings are assigned to the columns and walls in the layout type at the base of which they occur. Footings may be assigned to more than one layout type if the building 'steps'; that is, some footings may be assigned to one portion of the layout type and others to another portion of another layout type. If the layout type to which foundations have been assigned is used on multiple levels, the program recognizes that the foundations associated with that layout type occur only at the lowest occurrence of that layout type.

Column lengths and wall heights at the foundation level can be modified by modifying the elevation of the foundation using the Layout – Foundation – Spread – Modify Elevation, Layout – Foundation – Continuous – Modify Elevation, and Layout – Foundation – Mat – Modify Elevation commands. When the foundation is raised or lowered the length of the supported member or members is automatically modified.

Spread, Continuous and Pile Foundations are drawn as squares or rectangles with an arrow. The arrow indicates the major direction of the footing. Mat foundations are drawn as polygons without arrows.

Foundations are drawn in 3-D view as well as in Layout view to help verify that they have been located properly. The DataCheck also detects errors in modeling the foundations.

It is recommended that foundations be modeled even if the RAM Foundation design module is not going to be used to design the footings. Note that Mat Foundations cannot be designed in the RAM Structural System but they can be imported into RAM Concept for analysis and design.