Attendees at the CFA summer meeting received their first look at the web-based foundation and retaining wall structural engineering program the CFA is developing for its members. The program consists of two different designs – the first is for residential foundation walls, the second covers retaining walls.

The programs will allow users to stipulate and vary a wide variety of design inputs including wall height and thickness, reinforced vs. unreinforced designs, strength of concrete and reinforcement, height of backfill, soil pressure, and a host of other design variables. Viewable and printable output includes a dimensioned cross section of the wall, loading diagrams, and an output sheet with design assumptions.

Consulting Engineers Corporation, an engineering firm from Reston, VA, developed the program and is working with the CFA to introduce it on the CFA website. A key feature will be the ability of users to contact CEC and purchase engineer stamped drawings to use for approvals with building officials, owners, and others requiring an engineered design.

Basic use of the program will be a no-cost benefit to CFA members. Non-CFA members eventually will be able to use the program but will pay a usage fee. CFA members will also receive a substantial discount on the cost of engineer-stamped drawings. The board has yet to set the final pricing of the service.

The initial program will be based on one-way action and ACI-318 design provisions. Future versions will take into account two-way action or the impact of corners, counterforts, and other design features as well as future updates to building codes.

The foundation/basement wall program will be introduced first. The retaining wall program will be added in the near future.