First look at the interior footing toolbar:



This toolbar will allow the user to add, delete, edit or modify interior footings within stemwall, slab-on-grade or slab foundations.

Version 1.2.7 - 07.05.2019
- Added the Interior Footings toolbar and icons.
- Added the Brick Ledges toolbar and icons.
- Enabled a resync function in the License tab of the Global Settings for license renewals.

Within the License tab if you click on the license exp. date the plugin will then resync with the server and update your license exp. date accordingly.  This is a resolution to the issue some users have recently had when renewing their license.

Previously the user had to remove their serial number and then re-enter it in order for the plugin to update itself with the new license expiration date. 

Looking at adding in an option for a sub-base layer for slabs and slab-on-grade foundations:



Let me know if there are any specific requirements that you might have.

The only two parameters I have for this are the depth and the material.

Being that it is the weekend of the 4th I was quite surprised at all of the feedback on my previous post, thank-you for taking the time to respond and provide valuable feedback and information.

It seems that slab insulation is also a feature that I should also add to the mix.  Most details I've seen shown it directly below the slab between the subbase and concrete:



Note that many details I've seen show the slab insulation wrapping down around the footing or at least dropping down along its vertical side to the bottom of the footing.  However, to model the slab insulation in this way would be very computationally expensive (in other words a big pain in the butt) and require some rather elaborate code. 

What I've shown is a slightly simplified version which I can easily achieve using some very simple boolean addition and subtraction.

The updated list of parameters is now:

Slab Insulation:  Yes/No
Slab Insul. Thickness:  Default to 2"

Subbase:  Yes/No
Subbase Thickness:  Default to 4" or 6"
Subbase Material:  Default "medeek_gravel", user can choose from custom material library

I've also had quite a few request for poly.  I've never been a big fan of modeling non-solid geometry (ie. 2D films, vapor barriers etc...)  In my opinion the SQFT callout for the foundation is enough information for the designer to know how much poly is needed for the foundation if they want to apply it below the slab (plus some waste factor).  I'll have to give this some more thought.

First look at a rectangular slab-on-grade with slab insulation and subbase material installed.



Now I just need to jump into the polgyon module and enable the same feature for a polygon/face outlined slab-on-grade and then we can roll this new feature out.

When I get a bit more time I will also add in the volume of the subbase material (CY) into the stats tab (attribute library) which can then be picked up by the estimator module and this information will also be part of the spreadsheet (Excel/CSV) output.

Note to other developers:

As I further develop these plugins I am including a stats table in the attribute library of each assembly I create.  This information is exposed and can be utilized by anyone, including other plugins.  For instance for slab-on-grade foundations I provide the number of anchor bolts, the lineal feet of rebar, the area of the slab, and the volume of the concrete.  If there are any questions about any of the entries in this table and what each number means I will be more than happy to dive into the details with you.

Version 1.2.8 - 07.07.2019
- Added slab insulation and subbase options for rectangular slab-on-grade foundations
- Added slab insulation and subbase options for polygon slab-on-grade foundations
- Added a subbase layer in the Global Settings under the "Layers" tab.



Please note that the new interior footings module and the brick ledges module are both under construction.  The current toolbars and icons for these modules are currently non-functional. 

Both modules are actually quite complicated so my best calculation is about a week's worth of programming for each in order to complete them.

The FPSF option must be toggled on to enable under slab insulation.  However, you now have the option to enable or disable perimeter insulation within the FPSF options.

Version 1.2.9 - 07.08.2019
- Added a Custom Material Library/Manager in the Materials tab of the Global Settings.
- Enabled custom materials for the subbase material in the HTML edit menus for slab-on-grade foundations.

I've had some conversations about providing formwork for the various foundations.  This is not a high priority right now but at some point I may decide to add in this advanced option.

First look at a slab-on-grade (rectangular) foundation with multiple interior footings:





Note that this feature (interior footing module) allows for an unlimited amount of interior footings in any orientation and with each footing being customizable to its own specifications.

As shown in the image above this new feature also works with the subbase and slab insulation options.

Now I just need to work on the edit, move and delete functions for the interior footings.

This image demonstrates the vertical drop option/parameter along with various rebar configurations:



The footing to the far right is a typical 12" deep shallow footing with two bars.

The two central footings are 18" deep (4" slab) with a 10" vertical drop.  When you specify a qty. of four or six bars the plugin will arrange the bars top and bottom as shown otherwise the bars will be positioned at the bottom of the footing (with a 3" ground clearance).

Note that all of the footings shown have a slope of 45 deg. however this can also be customized to any angle.

Working in 3D is a bit different, and poses some additional challenges, when compared with designing in a 2D environment.

Slab-on-Grade interior footings are an excellent example of this type of problem.  In a 3D environment you are usually wanting to work on your model looking down at it rather than looking up at it.  Unless you have modified the transparency of concrete material you are typically unable to view the interior footings you have created.

To remedy this problem I have created a hidden layer (normally hidden) that is toggled on when you go to add, edit, delete or move an interior footing.  This layer not only contains the outline of each footing but also the label assigned to each by the plugin:



This layer can always be toggled manually by the user, but I have also setup the various tools to toggle it on and off during appropriate actions.

Version 1.3.0 - 07.14.2019
- Added interior footings for rectangular slab-on-grade foundations.
- Added interior footings for polygon slab-on-grade foundations.
- Enabled editing, moving and deleting of interior footings for all slab-on-grade foundations.



This is a substantial upgrade for slab-on-grade foundations.  I've completely removed the old interior footing code and replaced it with the new interior footing module.  The ability to add, move, edit and delete each interior footing on an unlimited basis is a breath of fresh air for this plugin. 

Now I just need to do something similar for stemwall foundations and slabs... there is always more to do.

Later today, after a small break, I will put out a tutorial video explaining the features of this new module and demonstrate its use.

After mauling this over a bit more I think I can deal with the concrete, slab insulation, interior footings and subbase fairly easily with a slab depression, however the slab reinforcement is a bit more challenging.  Even the footing top bars are a bit problematic ( they need to be dropped as well) as one can see in the image below:



At the moment I don't have a good answer for how to deal with slab depressions when combined with slab reinforcement.  If anyone has a good idea I'm open to suggestion.

This type of slab depression (4") is fairly typical for a garage that is attached to the main residence.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/8861a845-b5b3-4634-bc06-9edb4c62d449/Slab-Depression-Test-1

Tutorial 3 - Interior Footings for Slab-on-Grade Foundations (16:33 min.)

https://youtu.be/KsaCv9IQ7z8

Interior footings for rectangular slab-on-grade foundations is identical to working with polygon shaped foundations.

First look at the slab depression toolbar:



This toolbar will allow the user to add, delete, edit or modify slab depressions within slab-on-grade or slab foundations.

Version 1.3.0b - 07.16.2019
- Added the Slab Depression toolbar and icons.
- Enabled a 45 deg. miter option for the ends of interior footings.
- Fixed a bug with the initial positioning transforms for the interior footing draw tool.

The option for mitering is tucked into the start and end slope option.   Now in addition to the Yes/No options you also can have it miter left or right (45 deg only).



This is a critical update since the transform bug was a significant issue with Version 1.3.0.

The slab depression functions/tools are still under construction and currently not functional.

Version 1.3.1 - 07.19.2019
- Added slab depressions for rectangular and polygon slab-on-grade foundations.
- Enabled editing, moving and deleting of slab depressions for all slab-on-grade foundations.
- When construction callouts and subbase material is enabled, the volume of the subbase material is displayed beneath the foundation label (currently only slab-on-grade foundation assemblies have this feature available).



The slab depression tool can also be used to cut thru holes into the slab, as shown.

Note that additional work still needs to be done to properly modify rebar and mesh for slab depressions.  Currently there is no logic in place to modify the perimeter or slab rebar when a slab depression is utilized within a slab-on-grade foundation. 

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/6881b3bf-3ecf-4d3a-9cee-f8dd1cc3c11d/Slab-Depression-Test-2

Tutorial 4 - Slab Depressions for Slab-on-Grade Foundations (9:35 min.):

https://youtu.be/6QDYLcyZR_Q

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/78b4b1c5-8ccd-4a35-a936-ff94dee23bc9/Tutorial-4-Slab-Depressions

Trying to take a day off from the programming but my mind keeps coming back to it and the brick ledge module (for slab-on-grade foundations) I have left unfinished.

Giving it a bit of thought this afternoon and I've come up with the following parameters:

- Ledge Width

- Ledge Height

- Start Ext.: Defaults to zero

- End Ext.: Defaults to zero

Really not much to it, or so it would seem.

The idea is to be able to create a brick ledge on any specified edge (perimeter) of the foundation rather than around the entire foundation.  A lot of modern designs only utilize a brick facade on the front of the house and not on the rear so this ability to be selective with each wall is critical.

Once I have this feature up and running I think the tools afforded the slab-on-grade type of foundation will allow it to be utilized for most designs however additional work will still need to be done to make the rebar placement correct in a complex design.

First look at brick ledges combined with a slab depression (garage).



The trickiest part of the brick ledge module was the tool that selects the foundation edge.  I have it working stably now but I need to add some additional logic which prevents the user from duplicating a brick ledge along the same foundation edge.

I also need to add in some additional logic which offsets the anchor bolts the appropriate amount given the width of the brick ledge. 

Similar to the slab depressions the brick ledge module makes no accommodations currently for rebar placement.  The logic and algorithms for that will take some considerable effort.

Here is slight modification where the slab depression is lower than the brick ledge:

Version 1.3.2 - 07.22.2019
- Added brick ledges for rectangular and polygon slab-on-grade foundations.
- Enabled editing, and deleting of brick ledges for all slab-on-grade foundations.
- Added an additional layer for hidden geometry into the Layers tab of the Global Settings.

Tutorial 5 - Brick Ledges for Slab-on-Grade Foundations (14:11 min.):

https://youtu.be/VZtHg3gV3ys

I am seriously considering adding the ability to slope the slab depression and would actually like to work on it before I move back to the complex roof module.

I have a few questions:

1.)  With a sloping floor do you typically measure the depression from the high side as your reference and then slope it downward?  Or do you measure where you want the doors to end up and then slope upwards? 

2.)  What is a typical slope in a garage slab depression? Is a 1/4" per foot typical?  On a 24' deep garage this would mean a vertical difference of 6 inches from front to back.  This seems like a pretty steep slope.

3.) If a depression is sloped then I would assume that the slab thickness in the depressed region would remain a constant thickness and hence the bottom of the slab at this region would also slope?

Version 1.3.3 - 07.24.2019
- Enabled sloping slab depressions for rectangular and polygon slab-on-grade foundations.
- Fixed a bug with the slab depression draw tool.



The sloping of the depression can be either in the X or Y direction, in the future I may allow for other directions.  To reverse the slope, the slope differential can be entered in as a negative number in the edit or draw menu.

Giving a little thought on how to created stepped foundation the last couple of days as I wrapped up work on the slab-on-grade foundations.

Creating a single (closed-loop) stemwall foundation assembly with steps is proving to be difficult.  After giving this some additional analysis it seems that it would be better to break it down into separate (polyline) assemblies, somewhat similar to the Wall plugin.

If I switch to this type of system then creating steps in a foundation is just a matter of adding step "segments".  I've identified three basic type of steps in the detail below:



Note, that there would also be a right and left hand version of each, this comes into play with non-symmetric features such as foam insulation and anchor bolts.

So essentially I need to create a whole new system for stemwall foundations, the current system is not scalable.  The three main tools need to be:

1.) Polyline Tool
2.) Step Tool
3.) Interior Footing Tool

The polyline tool will also allow for a single (linear) stemwall or any number of segments.

I also need a opening tool for creating windows and doors in the stemwall/foundation wall.

4.) Opening Tool