Lateral stiffness being requested by Structural engineers

[pelelo]

Engineers,

I am a geotechnical engineer and usually in projects that involved piles, we recommend axial and lateral pile capacity.

After sending the geotechnical report to the client, the structural engineer requested the pile lateral stiffness. This is the first time we are asked this information.

I obtained this information from LPILE.

What will the structural engineer do with this information?. Any ideas?

 

[ANE91]

Sounds like they want the soil springs. Maybe he/she intends to run their own lateral analysis.

What will the structural engineer do with this information?. Any ideas?

Ask ‘em

 

[HTURKAK]

the structural engineer requested the pile lateral stiffness. This is the first time we are asked this information.

I obtained this information from LPILE.

What will the structural engineer do with this information?. Any ideas?

In this case you are expected to provide P-Y curve which are used in the analysis of laterally loaded piles and for evaluating the lateral capacity of pile foundations.
P-Y curve is nonlinear curve which is prepared with the soil resistance P (say kPa ) vs Pile deflection, Y (say mm)..

 

[pelelo]

In this case you are expected to provide P-Y curve which are used in the analysis of laterally loaded piles and for evaluating the lateral capacity of pile foundations.
P-Y curve is nonlinear curve which is prepared with the soil resistance P (say kPa ) vs Pile deflection, Y (say mm)..

Ok, makes sense.

If I already provided all the pile capacities and rebars, what are the additional analysis the structural engineer needs to perform if I provide the P-y curves?

To my knowledge I already provided all the necessary information from the engineering point of view.

Nothing against the structural engineer, I am just curious what additional analysis does he need to run or check to make sure everything is fine.

 

[HTURKAK]

If I already provided all the pile capacities and rebars, what are the additional analysis the structural engineer needs to perform if I provide the P-y curves?

Nowadays , it is common to consider the pile nonlinearity directly since the response of individual piles to lateral loads is highly nonlinear.
Suggest you to ask them if it is OK just to provide linear lateral soil spring constants.
I searched my documents and found the following P-Y curve and attached for info.