Soil Strength This submenu allows the user to specify the different soil-strength parameters to be used for the

automatic generation of soil-response curves. Program GROUP 5.0 will automatically generate the soil-resistance (p-y) curves and axial-load-versus-displacement curves under default conditions. This submenu will only be disabled if the user specifies external curves for both: soil-resistance and load-displacement. A minimum of two rows should be used for describing soil-strength parameters at the top and bottom of each layer. Soil-strength parameters located between two consecutive depths will be linearly interpolated by the program. The maximum number of rows of soil-strength parameters that may be used in a group analysis is limited to 20. The Add Row button always adds new rows at the end, after all existing rows. Clicking on the Delete Row button deletes the row where the cursor is currently located. A general description for the data needed under each column for the Data - Soil Strength submenu is listed below.

Layer This is a sequential number that is provided to each row of soil-strength parameters. This number is automatically provided by the program as new rows are added. The maximum number of rows of soil-strength parameters that may be used in an analysis is limited to 20. Depth Values for the depth are entered according to the global origin of coordinates of the pile group ( see figure ). The origin of global coordinates is at the point of application of group loads, usually at the top of the pile cap. A positive value indicates a distance measured downward from the top of the pile cap. A negative value indicates a distance measured above the top of the pile cap (only used for permanently embedded pile caps). For instance, the example shown the figure above indicates that the first row of soil-strength parameters is constant from 0 in. below the origin to 180 in. below the origin. Soil depths should cover at least two pile diameters below the pile tip of the longest pile for end-bearing computations to be appropriately calculated. Shear Strength Values of undrained shear strength for clays and/or silts at each soil depth are entered in standard units of force per unit area. These should be left as zero for sand layers. The undrained shear strength of rock is generally taken as half of their uniaxial compressive strength. Angles of Internal Friction (Degrees) Values of the angle of internal friction, , for sands and/or silts at each soil depth are entered in degrees. These should be left as zero for clay layers. Strain at 50% Stress Values of strain at 50% of the maximum stress, 50, for clays at each soil depth are entered in standard units of strain. These should be left as zero for sand layers. Reference values are provided in Tables 1 and 2 below. Table 1 Values of 50 for Clays

C onsistenc y of C la y So ft M ed iu m S tiff

50

0 .020 0 .010 0 .005

Table 2 Values of 50 for Stiff Clays

A vg erage U nd rain ed Sh ea r Stre ngth (k Pa )
50

50 -10 0 10 0-200 30 0-400

0 .007 0 .005 0 .004

Max Side Friction Load Transfer Values of maximum unit skin friction are the maximum values of unit side resistance to axial loads, fmax. These values are used by the program in order to generate t-z curves internally. These values are ignored and should be left as zero if the user prefers to enter specificload-displacement curves. Values of maximum unit skin friction should be entered in units of force per unit area. Chapter 5, Soil Response Under Axial Loading, of the Technical Manual may be reviewed for further information. Maximum Tip Resistance Values of maximum unit tip resistance are the maximum values which can be developed for end bearing. These values are used by the program in order to generate q-w curves internally. These values are ignored and should be left as zero if the user prefers to enter specific load-displacement curves. Values of maximum tip resistance should be entered in units of force per unit area. Chapter 5, Soil Response Under Axial Loading, of the Technical Manual may be reviewed for further information. The user can also ask the program to compute an estimate value of tip resistance if zero is entered. This extra function associated with the zero value is only for tip resistance, it is not available for values of maximum side friction.

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