Start a new analysis for laterally loaded single pile using the PileLAT program

This blog explains how to start a new analysis for laterally loaded single piles using the PileLAT program. Step by step, it demonstrates how to (1) Define pile section and length, (2) Create p-y curve model, (3) Define ground profile, (4) Apply pile head loads, (5) Run the analysis, and (6) View the analysis results.

Step 1 - Start the "PileLAT" program by selecting the shortcut on your desktop, or find "PileLAT" under the Start Menu.

Step 2 - Click the "Start a new project" button to create a new file.

Step 3 - Select Structures >> Define Pile Cross Section from the top menu or click the "Edit" button to define the pile section type and input the section parameters (dimension properties and material stiffness).

Step 4 - Select Loads >> Create Pile Head Loads from the top menu or click the "Edit" button to define the loads.

Step 5 - Select Soils >> Define Soil Materials with P-Y Curves from the top menu or click the "Material Sets" toolbar button to define the soil materials with P-Y Curve parameters.

Step 6 - Select Soils >> Define Soil Layers from the top menu or click the "Define Soil Layers" toolbar button to define the ground model with soil layers.

Step 7 - Select Analyze >> Run Analysis from the top menu or click the "Run" toolbar button to run the analysis.

Step 8 - Running message dialog will appear when the analysis is successfully completed. Note that the input will be locked after the analysis. The users will need to unlock the analysis file before it can be modified. All the analysis results will be lost once the analysis file is unlocked.

Step 9 - Click the "OK" button to hide the running message dialog from Step 8 and then click the "View Analysis Results" button to open the output window.

Step 10 - View the detailed analysis results from the PileLAT output program.