P-y method explained

In geotechnical civil engineering, the p - y is a method of analyzing the ability of deep foundations to resist loads applied in the lateral direction. This method uses the finite difference method and p-y graphs to find a solution. P - y graphs are graphs which relate the force applied to soil to the lateral deflection of the soil. In essence, non-linear springs are attached to the foundation in place of the soil. The springs can be represented by the following equation:

p = ky where k is the non-linear spring stiffness defined by the p - y curve, y is the deflection of the spring, and p is the force applied to the spring.

The p - y curves vary depending on soil type.

The available geotechnical engineering software programs for the p - y method include FB-MultiPier by the Bridge Software Institute, DeepFND by Deep Excavation LLC, PileLAT by Innovative Geotechnics, LPile by Ensoft, and PyPile by Yong Technology.

References

• Salgado, R. (2007). "The Engineering of Foundations." McGraw-Hill, in press. (1)
• Hasani, H., Golafshani, A., Estekanchi, H. Seismic performance evaluation of jacket-type offshore platforms using endurance time method considering soil-pile-superstructure interaction. Scientia Iranica, 2017; 24(4): 1843-1854. doi: 10.24200/sci.2017.4275 http://scientiairanica.sharif.edu/article_4275_f79d8b4fdd0cc8d159b91b1a3b968585.pdf