We are researching foundation design software and want to know any opinions you may have. We need the software to be able to handle mat foundations supported on piles and to be able to design round or obsucure shape mats. Also has to design by Canadian Code CSA A23.3-04.
We have looked at the following:
PCA-Mats - Not self meshing, does not check one way shear, does not design round mats.
SAFE by CSI - Don't know if it will do piles, don't know if it will do round foundations - waiting on a call back.
Ram Concept - Will not do piles directly but heard that you can design as a floor with long columns. Not ideal, but if you have very small deflections in your friction piles...might work. I have used this before for floor slabs and really like it. Does not do Canadian code right now.
Staad Pro - Does Canadian Code. Will do round foundations. Heard the results are not that great.
Any suggestions. Self meshing is a plus.
We have looked at the following:
PCA-Mats - Not self meshing, does not check one way shear, does not design round mats.
SAFE by CSI - Don't know if it will do piles, don't know if it will do round foundations - waiting on a call back.
Ram Concept - Will not do piles directly but heard that you can design as a floor with long columns. Not ideal, but if you have very small deflections in your friction piles...might work. I have used this before for floor slabs and really like it. Does not do Canadian code right now.
Staad Pro - Does Canadian Code. Will do round foundations. Heard the results are not that great.
Any suggestions. Self meshing is a plus.