The Overturning Moment Calculator is a specialized tool developed to assess the structural stability of walls, slabs, columns, and retaining elements under lateral loads. This calculator evaluates the impact of external forces—such as wind, impacts, or operational loads—on various construction elements to ensure safety and reliability.
The calculation is based on comparing two critical values: the resisting moment (provided by the mass and geometry of the structure) and the overturning moment (generated by the applied lateral forces). If the overturning moment exceeds the resisting moment, the structure loses its stability and may overturn. This online tool assists in accurately determining the overturning stability of diverse structural systems.
Instructions for using the calculator:
- Select the appropriate calculation scheme for the foundation or structure.
- Enter the load parameters in the "Loads" field, choosing from point load, distributed load along a length, or load over an area.
- Input the masses for the support, foundation, and soil in their designated fields.
- Provide the dimensions of the structure according to the selected scheme, ensuring all values are in millimeters.
- Click the "Calculate" button to view the resulting moments.
The results will show both the resisting moment and the overturning moment. If the resisting moment is lower than the overturning moment, the structure may be unstable. For enhanced safety, it is advisable to perform an analysis with an additional safety margin.
Notes:
- The support mass refers to the mass of the structure above the foundation level.
- The soil mass covers the mass of the soil located above the foundation.
- If the resisting moment is less than 1.5 times the overturning moment, the system will indicate that the structure is marginally stable and recommends an extra safety margin.
- The center of gravity of the support is assumed to coincide with the geometric center of its rectangular footprint.
