Foundation element limits are entered into the program using the "Limits for polygonal footings" option, available in the "Foundations" menu on the "Beam input" or "Results" tabs.

Foundation element limits allow you to define the presence of party walls, property limits or spaces reserved for other uses (such as lift shafts or service rooms) that must not be encroached upon by the geometry of the footings.

During the design process, the software prevents footings from exceeding the specified dimensions. The design of a footing may be subject to more than one limit.

Clicking on the option mentioned opens the "Foundation limits" window, which contains the following options:

• Entry by means of points
• Snap on DXF/DWG templates
• Delete
• Move
• New vertex
• Delete a section

Each of these features is described below:

Entry by means of points

Using "Entry by means of points", you can draw a foundation limit by left-clicking on the points or vertices that define its plan geometry. To confirm your entry, right-click.

Limits are lines or polylines that define areas which cannot be occupied by constant-edge footings. When added, the limit clips the geometry of any footings already entered.

The section of the footing that includes the starter bar counters is the part that is retained and taken into account in the design.

These limits do not apply to tie beams, strap beams, pile caps or tapered footings.

Snap on DXF/DWG templates

The "Snap on DXF/DWG templates" option allows you to automatically insert a foundation limit.

To do this, after importing a DXF or DWG template, left-click on a line or polyline defined within it. The program generates a foundation limit based on the geometry of the selected element.

Delete

The "Delete" option allows you to delete a previously entered foundation limit.

Select the limits to be deleted using the left mouse button or by dragging to highlight an area, then click the right mouse button to confirm their deletion.

Move

Use "Move" to move a section or a vertex of a foundation limit.

You can modify the geometry of the limit by left-clicking on a vertex to select it and then left-clicking again to set its new position.

To move a section of a foundation limit, left-click anywhere on the section and then left-click again at its new position.

New vertex

Clicking on "New vertex" adds a new vertex to any section of an existing foundation limit.

To do this, use the left mouse button to select the element where you want to insert the new vertex, and then select the desired point.

Delete a section

By using "Delete a section", you can delete a section of an existing foundation limit. As before, select the sections using the left mouse button and click the right mouse button to confirm their deletion.

If an intermediate section is deleted, the limit on which it acts is split into two new limits.