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GRLWEAP is a one-dimensional Wave Equation Analysis program that simulates the pile response to pile driving equipment.
GRLWEAP predicts driving stresses, hammer performance and the relation between pile bearing capacity and net set per blow. In addition, it estimates the total driving time. This pile simulation and analysis allows the user to investigate which hammer is likely to be sufficient and economic for a certain pile and soil condition prior to mobilizing the hammer to the job.
When Wave Equation Analysis is used instead of Dynamic Formulae, several codes and standards of practice allow a leaner foundation design translating to lower factor of safety or higher resistance factor.
GRLWEAP 2010 includes drivability analysis, various stroke options for diesel hammers, soil sensitivity analysis, models for parallel or composite piles and four static analysis options. The analysis of battered (driven at an angle) piles has been enhanced in GRLWEAP 2010. When the angle is horizontal, GRLWEAP may be used to simulate the installation of culverts.
GRLWEAP 2010 is available in Standard and Offshore Wave Versions. Find out which version of GRLWEAP is right for you. GRLWEAP Offshore Wave Version includes exclusive features designed for challenging situations (free riding hammers, nonuniform and battered piles) and special analysis options such as fatigue output tables.
GRLWEAP’s user-friendly interface includes more than 900 preprogrammed hammers, extensive help, and numerous automatic features.
GRLWEAP Output Graphics
The Bearing Graph depicts the relationship of pile bearing capacities, pile driving stresses and stroke versus blow count. It can be used to estimate the capacity given an observed blow count or the required blow count for a specified capacity. The maximum capacity that a hammer-pile-soil system can achieve is also apparent. The Driveability Graph is a plot of capacity, blow count and dynamic stress extrema versus depth. It allows for consideration of hammer energy and efficiency changes, cushion deterioration, soil resistance degradation and soil setup during driving interruptions. The numerical summary also includes an estimate of driving time based on the calculated number of blows and on the rate of hammer blows (blows per minute). The Inspector’s Chart depicts stroke (or hammer energy) versus blow count for a single capacity value. Inspector’s Charts are used establish a driving criterion and as an aid in construction control. The Variable vs Time graph shows any calculated quantity as a function of time for comparison with measurements or illustration of stress wave propagation.
The features added or improved include:
• Static geotechnical analysis tools including methods based on soil type, SPT or CPT information and the American Petroleum Institute (API) method.
• Residual stress analysis
• Variable toe area input for consideration of plugging in selected soil layers
• Simplified input for analysis of battered piles
• Flexible Driveability Analysis input
• User-friendly interface with spreadsheet programs
• Traditional US or SI Units
• New hammer data files added to the hammer database featuring close to 1000 hammer models
• Extensive driving system data for a special version for offshore specific problems
Computational process features:
• Smith-type lumped mass hammer and pile model with Newmark predictor-corrector type analysis
• Realistic non-linear stress-strain analysis of pile with splices, slacks, cushions, and other material interfaces
• Basic Smith-type soil model with several research extensions
• Thermodynamic and intuitive analysis for diesel hammer stroke calculation
• Multi-material analysis for composite piles
• Two-pile analysis for mandrel driven piles