AFES

(Automatic Foundation Engineering System)

Quick Tour for AFES

This section includes discussion on the following topics:

　 1. General Information
　 2. Starting AFES
　 3. Create a Project
　 4. Setting Design Parameters
　 5. Creating a New Structure
　 6. Importing a Geometry Data
　 7. Creating Grouping (Foundation Modules)
　 8. Creating Tie-Girder
　 9. Foundation Analysis and Design
　 10. Entering Foundation Dimension
　 11. Setting Strip information
　 12. Foundation Reinforcement
　 13. Pile Array
　 14. Entering of Anchor Bolt/Box for Drawings and Material Quantities
　 15. Entering of Equipment Data
　 16. Applying Load Case and Load Combination
　 17. Exporting Construction Drawing to Popular CAD
　 18. Generation of Bill of Material
　 19. Exporting PDS
1. General Information

This section includes discussion on the following topics:

1. 1 Introduction

1.2 Hardware Requirements

1.3 Installation

1.4 Copy Protection Device

1.1 Introduction
This Quick Tour is a set of short example exercises that illustrate how to use AFES to design several different
types of foundations. The procedure for importing support co-ordinates and forces/moments on the individual
supports from STAAD, GT Strudl, or PDS(3D CAD) is also discussed.

In AFES, you start out by creating a Project to hold all your physical information. This physical information
represents the structure that the foundation is intended to support. Unless the design of the structure is
modified, these physical conditions generally remain constant throughout the life of the foundation design
project.

Your project also contains structures, which are sets of constraints needed to tell the program how to perform a
foundation design. Each project may contain multiple structures, making it easy for you to evaluate different
design scenarios for a given set of physical conditions.

In general discussion, the names of commands, dialog boxes, toolbar buttons or other program controls are
indicated in italics. When it is intended that you perform a specific action, the names of the menu commands,
dialog box labels, data values you are expected to input, etc., are indicated in bold type.
1.2 Hardware Requirements

The following requirements are recommended minimums hardware requirements.

- PC with Intel-Pentium / AMD processor.

- Graphics card and monitor with 1024x768 resolution, 256 color display, 16-bit high color recommended).
For On-Board System without Graphical card, The resolution limits 1024x768 or lower resolution with 256
color display, or 16-bit high color.
- 128 MB RAM or higher.
- Windows 2000/XP operating system. Running it on Windows 95/98 systems is not working.
- Sufficient free space on the hard disk to save the program and data files.
A typical minimum is 500MB free space.
1.3 Installation
The AFES is installed by using an easy-to-use installation program. During installation the files from the
installation CD are decompressed and copied to the appropriate locations on the hard disk. At the end of the
installation procedure, a new program group “Foundation Design iAFES” is automatically created in the program
sub-menu of the Start menu, and “iAFES Foundation” icon on the desktop.

Program Installation;
- Insert the AFES installation CD in the CD-ROM drive
- Click on the window <Start> button and select Run … from the start menu.
- In the Browse dialog, “E:\Setup\Setup.exe”
(Assuming that the installation is executed from CD-ROM drive E).

- Follow the instructions on the screens.

- An InstallShield Wizard screen appears when the AFES CD is placed in the drive as shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1-1

- Review the AFES software license agreement for your country. You must accept this agreement to
complete the installation. To accept, click “I accept the terms of license agreement” option button, and
then click Next
Figure 1-2

You may install the program in any folder of your choice. A default folder name is supplied to you as shown in
Figure 1.3.

Figure 1-3

On the Start Installation page, click “Install” to start the installation.

Figure 1-4

The Setup Status page is displayed, showing the progress of the installation. When the installation is complete,
the Setup Complete page is displayed.

Figure 1-5
After the installation is complete, please restart your machine for any changes made to take effect.

Figure 1-6
1.4 Copy Protection Device
If you do not have a lock key for AFES, the program will only work in Demonstration mode.

To run a licensed version of the software, the following steps must be followed:
- Run “iAFES 2004” by clicking on the shortcut created under the folder “Foundation Design iAFES”.
- A “SoftDog Lock” dialog is displayed as shown in Figure 1.3.
- Click “Install Driver” button
- After successful installation, a finish message displays.

Figure 1-7

To run a 30 days demo version of the software, the following steps must be followed:

- Run “iAFES Foundation” by clicking on the icon under the desktop.

- An "iAFES Certification System" dialog will be displays.
- Please send us "Reference Code" to start by click "Send Mail" button.
- After receiving this code, we will e-mail or fax you the “Certification Key" required to run AFES
- Enter the “Certification Key", and then "OK" button on the product registration dialog.
2. Starting AFES
To start AFES, first click on the Windows Start button. Next, select the Programs option, select the “Foundation
Design iAFES” program group, and then click on the “iAFES 2004” program.

Another Method, first click on the desktop window screen.

Figure 2-1
AFES will launch with menus or icons and every input data can be saved according to a project

Menu Working Dialog

Icon Toolbar Model View Window

Figure 2-2

The procedure to do analysis and design of foundation at AFES program is as following.

Figure 1-3
3. Create a Project
To open the existing or create a new project,
From File (F) Menu, select “New/Open Project”, click from Icon menu group.

or

Figure 1-4

Creating a New Project for a Foundation Design;

Click on the option button to create a new project.
The Project Dialog Window dialog box will open. (Figure 1-5)
Starting a Existing Project for a Foundation Design;
Click on the option button to start a existing project.

Existing a Projects
on the List Dialog Box

Figure 1-5
The "General Data" must input necessarily in general information tab.

Figure 1-6
4. Setting Design Parameters
To set user defined “design parameters”,
Click the button under icon Menu or click the Options dialog item in the left pane. The Options dialog box
displays various tabs such as Concrete, Reinforcing steel, Soil, Pile, Rebar Table etc. Enter project specific
information in this dialog box. The values entered here will serve as default values for all subsequent new files.
However, these options can be different for each file.

Foundation Analysis/Design 은 Design Parameter 에 입력된 information 을 바탕으로 하여 수행되며, 이

information 은 Project 단위를 운영됩니다.
The “Setting of Constant” dialog box displays various tabs such as Code, Safety, Capacity, Materials, Allowance,
Reduction Factor, Clear Cover, Anchor etc.

You can save the specific information to a project so that you can use it later for foundation design on the same
or a similar project by using export and import functions.

Figure 1-7
5. Creating a New Structure
Every input and output data can be saved in AFES Data Base according to projects, which provides work
efficiency in control over project information. An engineer is able to create a file for a new project, reuse data on
projects conducted earlier, or eliminate old and useless data for the user own sake.

Figure 1-8

Figure 1-9

Click on the button to create a new job for designing the mat foundation.

or

Figure 1-10
The “Create a New Structure” dialog box will open.
It is entered in the text boxes on the “New Structure Name” in the below form dialog.

Figure 1-11
6. Importing a Geometry Data
To create the coordinates for supports that make the foundation plan of a project, Click on the icon called
“Geometry Data” in the Icon Menu.

The “Geometry Data” dialog box will open.

Figure 1-12

The footing origin is the lower left corner of the footing. You can use following various method to do
footing geometry input ?

1) Manual Input
First click "Add" command button, and then input footing geometry data in the geometry.
Supports of geometry will not be shown in the Graphics Window until you click on “Save” command button.
When you change the footing geometry values you must click “Save” command button to save the revised
values.

A table allowing you to input the coordinates of supports will be displayed in the data panel.
Input the support coordinates (0,0,0), (0,2000,0), (0,3000,0), and (0,3000,0) for Nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4
respectively. The supports along with their respective node numbers are displayed in the Graphics
Window.
Figure 1-13

2) Wizard Input
This tool brings efficiency and easy in locating foundations designed in the regular pattern of arrangement in the
coordinate system.
In order to do this, click on the tab called “Wizard (New)” command button in the lower panel.
The wizard dialog box will open.

Figure 1-14

The wizard dialog box as shown above gives you the ability to enter node data. The first step is to identify a
base node point for array from the origin point. and you can select rectangular or circle array patterns to make
appropriate values in the array text dialog, and then click on then “Add” and “Close” command button after data
input.

3) Importing Structural Geometry and Analysis Results from STAAD, Gt Strudl and PDS
In most cases the forces and moments on the foundation are given by the analysis of the superstructure. The
import function is usually used for foundation design of buildings and pipe racks. This option allows us to import
the support coordinates and forces/moments on the individual supports from a structural analysis software
program.
a) Importing Structural Geometry and Analysis Results from STAAD
Select the “Staad” from option dialog and click on the ‘import” command button. The following file dialog box
labeled input structure data of STAAD will be displayed.

Note: You must first perform an analysis on a STAAD.Pro model in STAAD.Pro before importing the model into
AFES.

Figure 1-15

Figure 1-16

Note : This is only available in the version more than Staad. Pro 2002.

- Select “Replace Geometry Data” option box and check the “Load Case/Combination Import from STAAD PRO”
to take the geometry, load cases and combination.
- The “Update Load Case/Combination without Geometry Data” option box allows AFES to add the load cases
and combinations without geometry changes from the Staad file.
- You can assign the module to all the supports. click on the “Apply Foundation type” combo box to create a
module for designing the foundation. The foundation types may be to design for “Isolated, Octagonal, tank_1,
and mat_foundation”.
- Foundation modules that can be utilized in AFES are as follows.
Figure 1-17

The support coordinates, load case, and load combination will be imported to AFES as shown in the graphics
display window.

2 1

Figure 1-18
b) Importing Structural Geometry and Analysis Results from GT Strudl

3 1
2

Figure 1-19

Select the “GT Strudl” from option dialog and click on the command button to find “gtstrudl.exe” file.
A file dialog box labeled “Path of GT Strudl.exe” file select will be displayed below figure.
Ex) c:\Program Files\ GTStrudl\28\GTStrudl\ Programs\ gtstrudl.exe

Figure 1-20

And then you can select “Import” command button and the following dialog will be display.
Click on “OK” command button in the file dialog box.
Note : The hardware lock must be inserted in the parallel port of your computer and must remain there during
the “Gt Strudl” import function.

Figure 1-21

GT Strudl program is running at back ground and following dialog will be open. You can select load combination
to design using the below check box and click on “Save” command button the resulting dialog box. The
support coordinates will be imported to AFES as shown in the graphics display window.

Figure 1-22

c) Importing Structural Geometry from PDS

AFES use “SDNF” file format to import the coordinate geometry information of the supports from the PDS
software application.

You can import the support geometry information in the following ways:
You can select PDS from the drop down box and select Import command button.
 1

Figure 1-23

A file manager dialog box labeled “Input PDS SDNF” will be displayed.
Select a SDNF file under file dialog box and then click “Open” command button.

Figure 1-24

A select bottom of elevation of super structure dialog box and then click “Save” Command button.
The support coordinates will be imported to AFES as shown in the graphics display window.
Figure 1-25
7. Creating Grouping (Foundation Modules)
To start “Assign foundation Grouping” , click on the button from icon menu.

The grouping of assigned foundation dialog box will open, and you must do the following steps;
To create a new group, first click on the “New” button,
Input “Group name”
Assign the “Group type” to the supports
Select “Non Pile Fdn.” or “Pile Fdn”
Select nodes that will be grouped and then assign them.
Finally click the “Save” button.

Note : If you have importing of super structure analysis result <Foundation Modules>
from STAAD, GT Strudl, This process isn’t need.

Figure 1-26

he foundation types may be pile or non pile foundation depending on which the design methodology
will be changed.
8. Creating Tie-Girder
Structural analysis/design by tie-girder can available in the next version. (=the end of 2005)
Click the “Tie Girder Data” icon from the icon menu. The Structure Tie-Girder dialog box will open, and you must
do the following steps;

1) To add a tie-girder
Select two nodes of the “Using node list”, and then click the arrow to create it between them.
2) To delete a tie-girder,
An assigned tie-girder can be erased through selecting two connected nodes from the “Assigned node list,”
and then clicking the button.
3) You can change the tie-girder name, size, height off from the ground, and bars.

Figure 1-33

Figure 1-27
9. Foundation Analysis and Design

1) Assumption
It is assumed in AFES for analysis and design that all external forces are loaded at the center of a pier and the
connection of a pier and a footing is rigid enough to carry internal stresses.

2) Design Standards
AFES executes foundation analysis and designs according to design standards widely accepted. Through the
standards, strength, stability and sectional design of components such as footing, piers, beams and corbels are
examined and conducted.
The design codes of AFES support ACI318-99, 02, BS 8110, or Korean.

Some shapes of footing and pier are available for design and analysis with AFES. Usable footing shapes are a
rectangle, circle, octagon, circle with a hole, while available pier shapes are rectangle, circle, octagon, T-shape.

3) Design Method
AFES supports “Automatic Analysis and Design” and “Manual Analysis and Design” at the same time.

4) Automatic Analysis and Design

With externally loaded forces, AFES is able to do automatic analysis and design of foundations, which brings
out optimized sections of a footing against stresses by the external loads. The application can proceed in
analysis and design without detailed design data including the assumed size of a footing, the assumed number
of piles and specification on spacing and types of reinforcement. After analysis and design, the recommend
result can be saved in the database and seen in a summarized form.

Note : The load case and combination should be inputed before to execute auto design.

If you click on the menu for “Auto Design”, and then the dialog will be displayed as following page;
The ”Set Parameters” button is for performing an optimized design of footings.
First, click on the “Set Parameters” button. A dialog box will be displayed, and then you can change
The “Auto Footing Design” dialog box allows you to change many design parameters.
Figure 1-28

Click the “Auto Design” button. When the design is complete, the program will display results of footing
design in a spread sheet and graphic window.
If there have been any changes made to the auto design, you can changes by click “Save to DB” button.

Assumed Size Automatic Design Size

Figure 1-29
5) Manual Analysis and Design

To start Manual Analysis and Design, Click on the button.

Note : The load case and combination should be inputed before to execute manual analysis and design.

A dialog box labeled “Mat Design” will be displayed.

AFES offers options regarding a method of load distribution which are the Concentrated and Uniform Force
displayed in the below figure. Also, the “Mat Design” dialog box allows you to specify shear, reinforcement, and
structural analysis and design of foundations.

Figure 1-30

Click the “Goto Diagram” button. A “Mat Stress Diagram” box will display.
Click the “Next” button to show “List of Load combination for Analysis” dialog.
Figure 1-31
|
The “Next”’ button is for performing a design of the footings. When the design is complete, The program will
display a “Summary Sheets”.

Figure 1-32

Click on the “Show Detail Report” button to show detailed report. A dialog box labeled “Design of Foundation”
will be displayed.
Figure 1-33

Figure 1-34
10. Entering Foundation Dimension
Click on the button to change a dimension. The “Feature Data” dialog box will open.

You can specify in sizes of the footing and pier. Click "Save " button to change the foundation dimension.

Figure 1-35
11. Setting Strip information
Click on the button to set strips. The “Setting Strip Data of Reinforcement Design” dialog box will open.

This dialog is information that is used to check of one-way shear, reinforcement.

Note : AFES offers to set strips (in x and y directions) for draw the one-way action and reinforcement diagram.
As for the others, ISO, OCT, HEX, TANK1 and TANK2, critical sections are set in default according to the X and
Y direction. This default data is not applicable for changing.

The strip generally can be determined in accordance with the followings;

- Effective depth/2 + pier width + effective depth/w,
- A half of distance between piers from Principle of Foundation Engineering by M. DAS
- Equivalent pier width + 3 x effective depth from ACI-1693 Code Commentary

5 Pier

SFD
5 Pier
BMD

Figure 1-36
12. Foundation Reinforcement
From the main tool bar, Click the “Reinforcement data” button to specify the data.

In design of foundations, different sizes of reinforcement may be used. The arrangement may be conducted by
different rules with respect to spacing between bars or array type of bars. You can be specified a footing and
pier respectively.

Figure 1-37
13. Pile Array
From the main tool bar, click the button. A pile data window will as shown in the following figure.

Note : AFES can easily change pile foundation or non pile foundation from Group assign dialog window.

For a pile supported foundation, it is possible to array piles in symmetry or asymmetry patterns by a generation
tool, mouse click, or directly inputting the X,Y coordinates in spread. You can change

You can be followed to input or modify pile data;

Select “Using Pile Name”.
Click on the “Generation (New) or Generation (Add)” button.
When the following “Pile Data” dialog displays,
Select one of the appropriate pile patterns between circle and rectangular by clicking on the option button.

For a rectangular pile pattern, enter the distance of pile to pile, and number of piles in both directions,
and then click “X-Dir. Up”, and “Y-Dir. Up” button.
Select “Pile Center”, or “Any Point” on the pile base point option button.
Click on “Save” button.

2 2.1

3
Figure 1-38
 3

4
Figure 1-39

Figure 1-40
14. Entering of Anchor Bolt/Box for Drawings and Material Quantities
From the main tool bar, click the button. A anchor bolt/box data window will as shown in the following figure.

You can specify rectangular or circle array patterns. This information on dialog box is used on the construction
drawing and material quantities.

Note: AFES does not consider anchor bolt stresses for pier design.

From the main tool bar, click the “Anchor Bolts/ Box Data” button. A layout of anchor bolt window will open as
shown in the following figure.

The following step need to draw anchor bolts.

Select “Node no” of pier.
Select one of the appropriate patterns between circle and rectangular by clicking on the option button.
For a circle pile pattern, enter the angle of start, number of anchors, and diameter of bolts, and then click
“Draw”” button.

2.1

2.2 2

Figure 1-41
15. Entering of Equipment Data
From the main tool bar, click the button. A equipment assign window will as shown in the following figure.

For a tank1 with ring wall pier supported foundation, You must specify equipment data for design of ring wall as
following.

You can assign equipment name, type, and assign node list as shown below.

Select node list on the spread sheet.

input equipment name, and then select equipment type.
Click on the “Save” button from toolbar.

Click input button from toolbars to input equipment data. A equipment data of large storage tank window will
open as shown in the following figure.

Figure 1-42
The “Save” and “Close” button should be clicked after inserting any equipment data.

Figure 1-43
16. Applying Load Case and Load Combination
To enter the loads on the pier, from the main tool bar, click the button. A loads & combination dialog will as
shown in the following figure.

The below dialog displays a panel that contains the load case, combination, set load case, and close button.
Add a load case:
To add a load case, select the assigned node list, and click on the show state of
load case on the list box, which you want, and then click “Save” and “Finish”
button from tool bars.
Delete a load case:
To delete a load case, click on the “Show state of load case” with the load case
you want deleted, and then click “Remove” button.

Figure 1-44

Change an existing load case:

To change an existing load case, select show state of load case from list box.
Enter the value of load case, and then click “Save” button.

Figure 1-45
To add load combination, click on the load combination button, and then below dialog will be open.

Assigned load cases can be combined with factors in accordance with a few design methods and specifications.
Mainly applied load combinations are Allowable Strength Load Combination and Ultimate Load Combination.
The combinations by the Allowable Strength Design are normally applied with 1.0 factored value.
The purpose of the combinations is to take into account soil bearing capacity, sliding, overturning, uplift check
and pile capacity check for a pile supported foundation.
The combinations referring to Ultimate Strength Design are used for footing reinforcement, pier design and one
way shear check, taking different factors for various cases.

To add a new load combination, click “New” button, select load case, click right arrow, input factor value, select
elastic strength or ultimate strength, and the click “Save” button.

Figure 1-46
17. Exporting Construction Drawing to Popular CAD
AFES interfaces with Autocad and Microstation to create a construction drawing with bar-schedule.

Clicking on the button exports the construction drawing into a DWG or DXF file format.
The program will create the DWG or DXF file format and display a construction drawing through a viewer.

Figure 1-47

Figure 1-48
18. Generation of Bill of Material

After analysis and design of foundations, AFES is capable of calculating the amount of materials for the
construction, based on the designed foundations. Assumptions and conditions for calculation of materials can
be specified in the Bill of Material window as shown below.
The specifications that may be set up in this part are the excavation slope, bottom excavation size and number
of foundations. In addition to items regarding excavation work, the grout and re-bar types, especially relating to
coating, can be specified. As for the grout, which type will be used can be determined from three offered options,
Cement, Epoxy and None-Shrink Grout. The coating type of reinforcement may vary from epoxy coating to
normal coating, which can be also set in the Bill of Material dialog box. The computed amount of materials can
be reported with items that may consist of excavation, disposal, back fill, concrete, form, lean concrete, crushed
stone, re-bar, pile, anchor bolts, grout and so on.

Figure 1-49
Figure 1-50
19. Exporting PDS
AFES has a relationship with 3D Cad PDS, which makes possible that modeled data in the application can be
exported and then imported in the 3D modeling program. The accepted data generate foundations with the
same characteristics of size as those originally created in AFES. Thus, the co-operation of AFES and 3D Cad
PDS helps to take less time in 3D modeling.

From the main menu go for File(F), and then click Export PDS Data.
After PDS Unit dialog box comes up, select an output unit.
In the Base Pier Name, choose a pier that will be a yardstick in importing.
Take the coordinates of the selected pier from FWP, and then enter the values in Origin X, Origin Y and Origin
Elevation accordingly.
Press the “OK” button.

Figure 1-51

How to Import to PDS

To utilize data on designed foundations of AFES in PDMS, take listed steps next one by one.
Start FWP.
Choose File > FPL Application.
Go for and select AFES_Interface.ma from the Files in the FPL Applications window.

Figure 1-52

The following icon group will be open.

Choose a exported file from AFES and then click the “OK” button.
Figure 1-53