Pile Types
The Define Pile Types option is available through Piles > Pile Types menu or by clicking on the Define Pile Types icon in the toolbar.
Pile Types are made up of Pile Sections whose properties are defined in the Pile Section Properties dialog.
The properties and options available for a pile type are dependent on the analysis option selected, as is explained in the table below.
RSPile | Pile Section Properties | Pile Type | ||||
Analysis | Cross-Section | Material Type | Material Properties | Multiple Sections | Bell Section* | Tapered Section |
Driven ![]() | Pipe Pipe Closed End | Not Applicable | Not Required | YES | NO | YES |
Pile Pipe Open End | YES | NO | YES | |||
Timber | YES | NO | YES | |||
Concrete Pile | YES | NO | YES | |||
H Pile | YES | NO | NO | |||
Bored ![]() | Circular | Concrete | Concrete strength | YES | YES | NO |
Square | YES | NO | NO | |||
Rectangular | YES | NO | NO | |||
Axial/Lateral ![]() | Circular | Elastic | Modulus | YES | YES | YES |
Rectangular | YES | NO | YES | |||
Pipe | YES | NO | YES | |||
Typical Section | YES | NO | NO | |||
User-Defined | YES | NO | NO | |||
Circular | Plastic | Modulus Mxy Mxz | YES | YES | YES | |
Rectangular | YES | NO | YES | |||
Pipe | YES | NO | YES | |||
Circular | Reinforced Concrete | Concrete strength | YES | YES | NO | |
Rectangular | YES | NO | NO | |||
Circular | Prestressed Concrete | Concrete strength | YES | NO | NO | |
Rectangular | YES | NO | NO |
Notes:
- Group analysis has the same Pile Type features as Lateral/Axial analysis
- *Bell Section cannot exist by itself and can only be added as the bottom-most section
- Skin friction is ignored along a Bell Section
- P-Y and Q-Z curves of a bell section are obtained using the actual bell dimensions
- The structural stiffness of a bell section is calculated using the stem diameter
- The bell obtains its properties from the section immediately above it including any reinforcement design
The Edit Pile Types dialog is separated into two sections which are explained below:
- Sections
- Orientation
Pile Sections
The Section tab allows users to construct a Pile Type using Pile Sections. In this tab users can define the:
- Pile Head Elevation
- Cross Section Type
- Number of Sections
- Length of each Section
- Bell geometry and tapering
BELLS
Depending on the type of analysis being done, a bell can be added and defined using the Design Bell option.
In this dialog users can define:
- Length Above Bell
- Bell Angle
- Bell Base Thickness
- Base Diameter
When adding a bell it should be noted:
- Bell Sections cannot exist by themselves and can only be added as the bottom-most section of the pile type
- Skin friction is ignored along a Bell Section
- P-Y and Q-Z curves of a bell section are obtained using the actual bell dimensions
- The structural stiffness of a bell section is calculated using the stem diameter
- The bell obtains its properties from the section immediately above it including any reinforcement design
Assumptions for different analysis options
Certain assumptions are made for each type of analysis when a bell is added to a pile type:
Lateral
- Skin friction is ignored along a bell section
- P-Y curves along a bell section are obtained using the interpolated bell diameter
Axial
- T-Z is ignored along a bell section
- Q-Z is obtained using the bell base diameter
- The structural stiffness of a bell section is computed using the stem diameter
Bored Analysis
- Skin friction is ignored along a bell section
- Pile capacity along a bell section is obtained using the interpolated bell diameter
Orientation
The orientation inputs are used to specify the pile batter and orientation in 3D space. Two options are available:
- Alpha/Beta
- Alpha - Rotation of pile around z-axis, clockwise from the y-axis
- Beta - Batter angle of pile, clockwise from y-axis
- Theta - Rotation of pile around the central axis of the pile
From left: alpha, beta, theta
- Vector
- XYZ - Direction vector coordinates. The normalized unit vector of the input vector is calculated.
- Rotation Angle - the angle of rotation (clockwise, in degrees) of the pile section about the z-axis. (0 degrees if no rotation).
Notes on Ground Slope and Pile Batter
- Ground Slope and Pile Batter are only one of the options for defining a battered pile / sloping ground. T-z and Q-z multipliers can be used to analyze axially loaded (battered) piles in sloping ground. Similarly, p-y multipliers are more commonly used to analyze laterally loaded (battered) piles in sloping ground.