Abstract
Abstract Geotechnical and structural engineers are faced with a difficult task when their designs interact with each other. For complex projects, this is more the norm than the exception. In order to help bridge that gap, a method for modeling the behavior of a foundation using a simple elasto-plastic subgrade reaction was developed. The method uses an optimization technique to position 4-6 springs along a pile foundation to produce similar load deflection characteristics that were modeled by more sophisticated geotechnical finite element software. The methodology uses an Excel spreadsheet for accepting user input and delivering an optimized subgrade spring stiffness, yield, and position along the pile. In this way, the behavior developed from the geotechnical software can be transferred to the structural analysis software. The optimization is achieved through the solver add-in within Excel. Additionally, a beam on a nonlinear elastic foundation model is used to compute deflections of the optimized subgrade reaction configuration.
Highlights
Structural and geotechnical engineers are faced with a wide array of software packages to help them in the design of structures and foundations
AxisVM and SAP2000 are typical structural design and analysis programs used every day throughout Europe and the U.S To perform geotechnical design, Plaxis, Fine, FLAC, and MIDAS are typical choices
This paper describes a method that falls between a nonlinear geotechnical finite element model and a structural design model
Summary
Structural and geotechnical engineers are faced with a wide array of software packages to help them in the design of structures and foundations. When faced with a complex issue of soil-structure interaction, a comprehensive modeling approach using general purpose finite element programs (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, DIANA) may be prohibitively expensive, or too much of an investment in time and otherwise profitable design talent. The method allows the engineer to create sophisticated models for pile foundations under axial and lateral loads and replace them with a few elasto-plastic subgrade reactions (soil springs) applied at strategic locations on the structural pile to produce the same behavior. This allows the structural design and analysis to proceed as usual with a more realistic representation of the soil reactions
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