Unfortunately, I cannot find any information about how to design a strip foundation in RFEM. Is this not possible? What would be the alternative option?

Answer:

Currently, there is no RFEM add-on module for the design of strip foundations. RF-FOUNDATION PRO can only design independent foundations arranged on nodal supports.

In most cases, line supports are used in the model; strip foundations are subsequently designed for these supports. As a solution, you could create an equivalent model and apply the governing support forces resulting for a "3.28-foot strip" as a load on a short member (for example, rigid member, since there is no additional dead load). This way, you obtain support forces on a nodal support for this 1m strip of the wall (see Image 01).

For these nodal support forces, you could then perform a single foundation design in RF‑FOUNDATION Pro according to EN 1997‑1 by defining the "strip foundation" as a 3.28-foot-wide plate foundation.

Another alternative would be to replace the line support with a reinforced concrete slab with an elastic foundation. Then, you could design the plate that represents the strip foundation in RF‑CONCRETE Surfaces. However, the design of the static equilibrium, soil pressure stresses, and so on, must then be performed manually using the RFEM results (for example, the evaluation of contact stresses σz).

You can find more information on the design of independent foundations in RF‑FOUNDATION Pro (see Links) in the technical article in our Knowledge Base.