Layer dependent skin resistance of embedded beam row ignores spacing


ApplicationPLAXIS 2D
Issue status✔ Solved
First Affected VersionPLAXIS 2D 2015.00
Found in VersionPLAXIS 2D 2015.00
Fixed and Released in VersionPLAXIS 2D 2017.01
Issue #SW-15597
Date created16 May 2017
Date modified09 October 2017

Problem description

Material parameters for the embedded beam row in PLAXIS 2D are defined per structure (e.g. pile or ground anchor). In a plane strain analysis, these values are automatically calculated per unit length in the out-of-plane direction. So, the calculation kernel takes the spacing of these embedded beam row elements into account.

However, in the case of a layer dependent axial skin resistance distribution, the calculation kernel does not take this spacing into account.

Embedded beam row's spacing Ls parameter

As a consequence, when the pile spacing Ls > 1 m, the maximum axial skin resistance Tskin,max will be overestimated.

To check what exact value per unit length in the out-of-plane direction is used, you can see this value for the actually used Tmax in the Output program:

  1. Open the embedded beam row results for forces
  2. Open the table
  3. Inspect the column Tmax. Here it should read your input value divided by the spacing.

Solution

This is now solved since PLAXIS 2D 2017.01

In PLAXIS 2D 2017.00 and earlier versions (see the versions mentioned above) in which this spacing value [Ls] is not taken into account to determine the maximum axial skin resistance, you should divide the axial skin resistance by the spacing and use this value as an input value.