I have a question regarding pile supported mat foundations. In the Help file there is a this tip:
Tip: For rigid foundations (i.e., isolated, combined, pilecap, etc.) the supported nodes in the STAAD.Pro model should be oriented to the top of the footing. However, for mat foundations, the supported nodes in the STAAD.Pro model should be modeled at the bottom of the footing.
When modeling from STAA.Pro import Y elevation is at 0, when creating my pile supported mat for a 4'-0" thick mat my Y elevation should be -4'-0". Am I assuming correctly that for my piles, especially fixed head piles, that the embedment depth of 6" or 12" that their Y elevation would be -3'-6" or -3'-0" respectively to get correct pile reactions and moment in the pile head?
Thanks,
Russ