How to calculate the plate unit weights (kN/m/m) in PLAXIS 2D?
Hi Tauseef,
Please refer to the answer given here: plate properties (PLAXIS 2d vs PLAXIS 3D)
Thanks for your quick response
I have a sheet pile section AU20 with d = 0.5685
To get the unit weights = w = γ × d = 0.5685 x 78.50 = 44.62725 kN/m/m
when this value is used 44.62725 kN/m/m am getting error while running the analysis.
Could you please assist on the above.
Your parameters are not correct. Use the database here directly, much easier.
communities.bentley.com/.../material-parameter-datasets-for-sheetpiles-and-beams
The direct input parameters of a plate element are: (a) its unit weight per meter of wall length,w, (b) its axial stiffness, EA and (c) its bending stiffness, EI. In PLAXIS 2D all three parameters are expressed in per meter in the out-of-plane direction units. The thickness d is not an input, but the result of the calculation of d = √(12EI/EA) based on the assumption that the plate element has a rectangular cross-section.
Going back to your question, if you refer to the manufacturer's specification (https://sheetpiling.arcelormittal.com/products/au-20-3/), the mass per meter of wall is equal to G = 129.2 kg/m, which translates into unit weight of (approximately) w = 1.29 kN/m/m. That's the unit weight you should be using.
The same applies for the axial and bending stiffnesses:E = 210 GPa, I = 44440 cm4 and A = 164.6cm2/m
EA = 3.45660E6 kN/mEI = 93324.0 kNm2/m
Thank you!