Pile Types
The Define Pile Types option is available through Piles > Pile Types .
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.