Upgrade of Axially Loaded Pile-Soil Modeling with the Implementation of LRFD Design Procedure: Fid-Bau Portal

Upgrade of Axially Loaded Pile-Soil Modeling with the Implementation of LRFD Design Procedure

M. Ashour / A. Helal / H. Ardalan

This report and the accompanying computer code (Software, WBUZPILE) describe the characterization and analysis of piles under axial loads. A combination of different formulas obtained from ALDOT long time experience along with fundamental equations of deep foundations are employed in this program to assess the axial capacity of driven piles. The report focuses on the entry of input data, interpretation of the output results and description of the employed soils and equations. In addition to sand and clay models developed by ALDOT, the report presents modeling formula for silt soils that include sandy silt and clayey silt and weathered rock (soft rock). The current program analysis allows the utilization of the LRFD approach that determines the geotechnical resistance factor based on the calibration by fitting as presented in Chapter 1. In addition to the use of varying values of safety factors and DL/LL, the program user can also use a default resistance factor of 0.71 which is based on a commonly used safety factor of 2 and DL/LL ratio of 2 as recommended by ALDOT. The obtained results are presented numerically and graphically through the output data files and plotted graphs. Several warning messages are built in the program to avoid many of the common mistakes. It should be mentioned that the current version of the program WBUZPILE has the capability of directly uploading the input data files created earlier by the original program BUZPILE with no need for any modifications.