LPILE is a special-purpose program based on rational procedures for analyzing a pile under lateral loading using the p-y method.
As an option, components of the stiffness matrix at the pile head may be computed internally by LPILE so users can incorporate basic soil-structure interaction in their super-structure analyses. Another option from LPILE provides graphs of pile-head deflections for various pile lengths, to help users with optimum pile penetrations (for lateral response).
Nonlinear lateral load-transfer from the foundation to the soil is modeled using p-y curves generated internally using published recommendations for various types of soils. Special procedures are programmed for computing p-y curves for layered soils and for rocks. Alternatively, the user can enter manually any other externally generated ip-y curves.
Five types of pile-head boundary conditions may be selected, and the structural properties of the pile can vary as a function of depth. LPILE has analytical features to compute the nonlinear moment-curvature relationships and nominal moment capacity of a pile’s section based on specified pile dimensions and nonlinear material properties. Optionally, the user may enter nonlinear moment-curvature relationships to be used in place of the internally-generated values. LPILE provides several design recommendations for rebar arrangements in drilled shafts.
LPILE has been written as a 32-bit application that uses 64-bit precision in computations. The program produces plain-text input files and output reports. A number of graphs can be generated by the program and be saved in several graphics formats for inclusion in project reports. LPILE runs under all versions of Microsoft Windows© from Windows XP through Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit versions).