Buckling behaviuor of pipe piles

[abaqusshell]

hi,
I have a research project on the buckling behaviuor of pipe piles (combined walls). My question is how to model the pipe-soil contact in an easy and efficiant way in ABAQUS (FEM). Thinking about Winkler spring.. that at first leads me to the asumption of the winkler spring subgrade modulus, which I obtain how - or asuume as?
Second, if I simulated the soil with springs - I have to conver the pile with springs (applying them at nodes). What do I do if a have a irregular mesh and how can I then calculate the correspoding spring stiffness?
thanks for help,
Anton

 

[brad]

I would recommend you also try Yahoo E-groups (egroups.com). There is an ABAQUS E-group which may be of assistance on this. Sorry that I can't help further, as soil mechanics is not my area.

Regards,
Brad