In the Layout > Foundations – Continuous – Add dialog box, there is a field to enter a tolerance for determining what members will fall on this foundation. This tolerance value is always used to make this determination and is not affected by the geometry that can be assigned within the RAM Foundation module or by the optimization of the foundation size.

The tolerance is measured as the perpendicular distance from the centerline of the foundation to any potentially supported column, wall or brace.

Even though the actual or minimum dimensions are used when drawing foundations on the screen, the tolerance is used when determining the members that fall on a continuous foundation. In Figure below, for instance, Wall 1 falls within the tolerance assigned to this foundation. Wall 2 appears to be on the foundation but because it is outside of the tolerance rectangle, it is not considered to be on the foundation for design purposes.