To create a spread footing in Revit, open the footing level’s plan, go to Structure tab > Foundation panel > Isolated, click Edit Type, duplicate a type and set its width, length and thickness. Then click the grid intersections to place the footings and check their height in an elevation.
Part 3 of my Revit structural series. We have the grid and the levels for the restaurant. Now the structure gets something to stand on: isolated spread footings at the grid intersections, ready for the columns in the next part.
Download the file
Download the Revit file from the previous part for free. It’s in Revit 2021 format and needs Revit 2021 or newer (Revit can’t save to older versions).
Video walkthrough
How do I create a spread footing in Revit?
- Open the floor plan where the footings go. Here, that’s the top-of-footing level, L-2 T/Footing.
- On the Structure tab, Foundation panel, click Isolated.
- In Properties, click Edit Type. Click Duplicate and give the new footing type a clear name. I named mine 6’x6’x18″.
- In the Dimensions section, enter the thickness, length and width, then click OK.
- Place the footings at the grid intersections. When the cursor is right on an intersection, both grid lines highlight in blue. Click to place.
- Check an elevation view to make sure the footings sit on the right level. If they need adjusting, set an offset from the level in Properties.
How do I add other footing sizes?
- Select a footing and type
CS(Create Similar). - Duplicate the type again, rename it, and change the dimensions.
- Place the new footings and set Height Offset from Level in Properties as needed.
Why is my footing on the wrong level?
Open a 3D view. If some footings are on the wrong level, select them, and in Properties change the Level. The footings move to the new level and stay attached to it.
Where do footing sizes come from?
From the structural drawings. The footing size depends on the load and the soil, so the engineer of record sets it. The sizes in this tutorial are just example names.
Next: Part 4: Columns.
