{"id":33340,"date":"2026-04-27T12:48:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/technical-manuals\/foundation-modelling-and-design\/how-to-model-a-foundation-at-different-level-or-storey\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:37:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:37:47","slug":"how-to-model-a-foundation-at-different-level-or-storey","status":"publish","type":"wiki","link":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wiki\/how-to-model-a-foundation-at-different-level-or-storey\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Model A Foundation At Different Level Or Storey"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 id=\"What_is_a_default_support_Default_Supports_Method\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">What is a default support? Default Supports Method<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<div>\n <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">The support provided by default is dependent upon the storey level at which the column or wall stops.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n \n<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\n<div>\n   <i style=\"text-indent: -0.25in\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">For columns and walls that stop at ST: 0 (i.e. the foundation) \u2014 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><br \/>\n   <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Default = Fully Fixed Support <\/span><\/span><br \/><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">(Show in below figure, boxed in <\/span><span class=\"colour\"><b>red<\/b><\/span><span class=\"colour\">)<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n   \n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\n<div>\n   <i style=\"text-indent: -0.25in\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">For columns and walls that stop at level above ST: 0 \u2014 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><br \/>\n   <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Default = No External Support<\/span><\/span><br \/><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">(Show in below figure, circled in <\/span><span class=\"colour\"><b>green<\/b><\/span><span class=\"colour\">)<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div>\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw87f8f867936447cd8ea52b505bad7a68\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 624px;height: 226px\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_7919014471633579\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\"><br \/>\n \n<\/div>\n<div>\n <br \/>\n <span class=\"colour\"><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">In order to model foundation elements at different level, you can use <\/span><\/span><br \/>\n <b><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">User Defined Supports Method<\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/>\n <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n \n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"User_Defined_Supports\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">User Defined Supports<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<div>\n <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\">These can be applied to the lower end of any column or wall at any level to introduce an external support or spring. The <b>translational (in global X, Y and Z)<\/b> and <b>rotational (about global X, Y and Z)<\/b> degrees&nbsp;of freedom can be set to <b>fixed<\/b>, or<b> free<\/b>, or a <b>spring stiffness<\/b> can be assigned.<\/span><br \/>\n \n<\/div>\n<div>\n \n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n  <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Unless you specify and apply <b>user defined supports<\/b>, every column and wall in your model adopts a <b>default support<\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<h1 id=\"When_might_a_default_support_not_suitable_to_use\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">When might a default support not suitable to use?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<div>\n  <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">In typical models you will often find that <b>default supports<\/b> are all that is needed. However, certain situations might require you to specify and apply <b>user defined supports.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<div>\n  <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Cases where <b>user defined supports<\/b> could be necessary include:<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<div>\n    <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Buildings with <b>spring<\/b>, or<b> pinned supports<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<div>\n    <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Buildings with <b>stepped foundations<\/b> (different elevation)<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div>\n<h1 id=\"Specifying_a_User_Defined_Support\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">Specifying a User Defined Support<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<p>  <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><\/p>\n<div>\n     <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">User Defined support can be defined as example follows:<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n     \n    <\/div>\n<div>\n<p>     <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%\" src=\"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/prota-doc-1d6ed5508980823b1eb4dde010bec91c.png\">\n    <\/div>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Choose <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>Support Type<\/b> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">from the <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>Modelling<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> Tab (top menu).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Click the <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>Add New<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> button and enter a label to describe the new support type.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">T<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">o define a <b>translational release<\/b> in a particular direction, uncheck the <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">x<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">y<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> or <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">z<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> support box as appropriate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">To define a <b>rotational release<\/b> in about a particular axis, uncheck the <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">X\u2010Rotation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Y\u2010Rotation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> or <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Z\u2010Rotation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> support box as appropriate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">To define a <b>translational spring<\/b> in a particular direction, enter the spring stiffness in the appropriate <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">x<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">y<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> or <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">z<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> box, (having first unchecked the corresponding support box).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">To define a rotational spring in a particular direction, enter the <b>spring stiffness<\/b> in the appropriate <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">X\u2010Rotation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Y\u2010Rotation <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">or<\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> Z\u2010Rotation <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">box, (having first unchecked the corresponding support box).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Click <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>OK<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 15px\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> to save the new support definition.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><\/span><\/span>\n <\/div>\n<h1 id=\"Applying_a_User_DefinedSupport\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">Applying a User Defined Support<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<p> <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><\/p>\n<div>\n    <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Having defined a new support type as above, it can then be assigned to a specific column or wall using the member properties dialog:<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<div>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<div>\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw56bce96f6a2f48799f3f35ff149256e4\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_46573606005382784\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\"><br \/>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\">Select and load the properties for the column or wall.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Click on the <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>3D<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b> tab<\/b> and choose the appropriate <\/span><\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>Support Type<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b> <\/b>from the list.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Click on <\/span><\/span><i style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b>Update<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"><b> <\/b>to save the change.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div>\n<h1 id=\"User_Defined_Supports_Trouble_shooting\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">User Defined Supports \u2010 Trouble shooting<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">In models where you have applied user defined supports, we would recommend that you carefully review the analysis results to ensure they are working as you intended. Careless application of supports could have unexpected effects.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><b><i><span class=\"colour\">Mechanisms<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/><\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> <\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">A mechanism may be introduced if, for example, you have applied a pinned support to a pin ended member.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/p>\n<div><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/p>\n<div><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><b><i><span class=\"colour\">Diaphragm restraint<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/><\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> <\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Typically, a rigid diaphragm exists within the floor slab. Hence, if a slab connects to the base of a column which has a user defined support applied, the support will be directly restraining the rigid diaphragm itself. This could inadvertently prevent lateral displacements from developing at that level even if this was not the original intention.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><\/p>\n<p>     <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/p>\n<div><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n     <\/span><\/p>\n<div><span class=\"colour\"><br \/>\n      <\/span><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><b><i><span class=\"colour\">Load Paths<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/span><span class=\"colour\"><br \/><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\"> <\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">User defined supports are assumed to transfer any reaction directly to the foundation. You should not apply a user defined support at an upper storey level unless there is means for this transfer to occur.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"colour\"><\/span>\n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">A stepped foundation is an example of where a user defined support would be appropriate, whereas, a transfer column situation (i.e. where the column is supported by another member) is an example of where it is not.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<h1 id=\"Example_of_UserDefined_Support_Method\" class=\"toc_anchors\"><b><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 24px\">Example of User Defined Support Method<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><br \/><\/h1>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">Pilecaps\/Footings can be modelled at different level\/storey according to steps below:<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\">1. Create a new <b>support type<\/b> via <b>Modelling <\/b>tab<b>&nbsp;<\/b>(Top menu)<b>&nbsp;<\/b>&nbsp;&gt; <b>Support Type<\/b><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw5c3cd38e461341c99267d98fb12f9113\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"best\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_22558095026072622\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 453.5px;height: auto\" src=\"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/prota-doc-65525711d9497f7cc12d7a99d8d08092.png\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n      \n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n     <\/div>\n<div>\n      2. After a new support type is created. Assign the newly created support type to the&nbsp;corresponding columns in the column properties (refer to snapshot below).<br \/>\n      <br \/>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwawd24ae986f8854d7789d3d74e3029e5e1\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_07427935564839827\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\" style=\"letter-spacing: 0.1pt;text-indent: -0.25in;font-size: 15px;padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 189px;height: 282px\">\n     <\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n       <span class=\"KB_New_Editor_Highlights\" style=\"margin: 10px 0px;position: relative;padding: 10px 10px 10px 40px\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Notes\" data-image=\"contentStyle\" style=\"position: absolute;left: 12px;top: 14px;width: 15px;max-width: 100%\" data-type=\"non-resize\" src=\"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/prota-doc-f563bfa35a4e83a9093567f40ba982f5.png\"><\/p>\n<div>\n         <span class=\"colour\">Please take note, you can only access to column properties in ST:01 and above.<\/span><br \/>\n         \n        <\/div>\n<p><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div>\n       <span class=\"colour\">3. For<br \/>\n       <\/span><b><span class=\"colour\"> column base level <\/span><\/b><span class=\"colour\">&nbsp;that stops between storey, you may create columns at the higher level, set<br \/>\n       <\/span><b><span class=\"colour\">del z (Bot)<\/span><\/b><span class=\"colour\"> to meet the level and<br \/>\n       <\/span><b><span class=\"colour\">Support Types<\/span><\/b><span class=\"colour\"> to your defined support.<\/span><br \/>\n       \n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw28004d47d0bf4c85905df53441b455f0\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 624px;height: 294px\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_5091343275812588\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\"><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<div>\n  4.&nbsp;<br \/>\n  <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\">Run<b> Building Analysis<\/b> and go to <b>analytical model<\/b> to check all the displacements &amp; forces (ie. moment, shear, axial load) to ensure the column is correctly supported.&nbsp;<\/span><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw874afa4638294e129e3fe77da17ba905\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_5517972474979662\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\"><br \/>\n  <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\">&nbsp;<\/span><br \/>\n  \n <\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"colour\"><\/p>\n<div>\n   <span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><span class=\"colour\">5. You can now go to <\/span><b><span class=\"colour\">ST:01<\/span><\/b><span class=\"colour\"> select columns and right click to insert the pilecap\/footing.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n   \n  <\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"target_moving\" id=\"target_mov_img_7956255807942381\">\n     &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n     <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw92d6a790279b4862a27972e3858f0fb3\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 323px;height: 271px\" class=\"docsimage currimg\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_5756855515039485\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"original\"><br \/>\n     <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/desk.zoho.com\/DocsDisplay?zgId=672206093&amp;mode=inline&amp;blockId=lxwaw49583a16306e4eee9f4ec087a15368af\" style=\"padding: 0px;max-width: 100%;width: 244px;height: auto\" class=\"docsimage\" data-zdeskdocid=\"img_004138924068688432\" data-zdeskdocselectedclass=\"best\"><br \/>\n     \n    <\/div>\n<p>\n   <\/div>\n<div>\n    <span class=\"colour\"><span class=\"size\" style=\"font-size: 16px\"><\/p>\n<div>\n       <span class=\"KB_New_Editor_Highlights\" style=\"margin: 10px 0px;position: relative;padding: 10px 10px 10px 40px\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Info\" data-image=\"contentStyle\" style=\"position: absolute;left: 12px;top: 14px;width: 15px;max-width: 100%\" data-type=\"non-resize\" src=\"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/prota-doc-f878f0336a87053457b8ed3fc584fef9.png\"><\/p>\n<div>\n         <span class=\"colour\">You can only insert foundation elements at<br \/>\n         <\/span><b><span class=\"colour\"> ST: 0<\/span><\/b>.<\/div>\n<div><span class=\"colour\">Please read related article :<\/span>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.protasoftware.com\/portal\/en\/kb\/articles\/stepped-foundations-and-elevator-pits-with-basement-slabs-and-walls\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stepped Foundations and Elevator Pits with foundation slabs and walls<\/a><\/div>\n<p><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span>\n   <\/div>\n<div>\n    \n   <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n \n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a default support? Default Supports Method The support provided by default is dependent upon the storey level at which the column or wall&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_whitepaper_youtube_videos":"","_whitepaper_youtube_url":"","_whitepaper_youtube_thumbnail":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"whitepaper_topic":[],"whitepaper_product":[],"whitepaper_type":[],"class_list":["post-33340","wiki","type-wiki","status-publish","hentry","category-foundation-modelling-and-design"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.9 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How To Model A Foundation At Different Level Or Storey - Prota Software<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a default support? 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