Soil Profile & Properties

SPT data profile:

The following parameters are utilized to define SPT soil profiles:

1)Depth Zb: The bottom of soil layer. It should be a value > 0! 

2)γ: Unit weight. Use pcf for English units and kN/m3 for metric units

3)N: Blowcount per 12 inches (30 centimeters)

4)FC: Fine content in %. It should match USCS classification. 

5)PI/LL: Input plasticity index and liquid limit in format "**/**", e.g., 12/36. Used for liquefaction potential evaluation of silty or clayey soils (optional)

6)USCS: symbol for USCS classification. To define the transition zone between silty sand (SM) and silt (ML), two soil types, SM-ML with FC between 35 and 50% and ML-SM with FC between 50 and 65%, are added. As such, SM is modified with FC between 12 and 35% and ML with FC above 65%. See USCS classification for details. This modification will not affect any calculation results. 

7)Soil Type: link to strength or compression parameters (optional). The ID number of Soil Type should match the 1st column in "Shear Strength" page or "Compression" page. 

8)Vs: Shear wave velocity (optional). If it is input, it will be directly used in the calculation of dry sand seismic settlement. 

9)νp: Poisson's ratio (optional). If it is input, it will be directly used in the calculation of compression deformation.  

Shear wave velocity data profile:

The following parameters are utilized to define soil profiles:

1)Depth Zb: The bottom of soil layer. It should be a value > 0! 

2)γ: Unit weight. Use pcf for English units and kN/m3 for metric units

3)Vs: Shear wave velocity in m/s

4)FC: Fines content in %. It should match USCS classification. 

5)PI/LL: Input plasticity index and liquid limit in format "**/**", e.g., 12/36. Used for liquefaction potential evaluation of silty or clayey soils (optional)

6)USCS: symbol for USCS classification. To define the transition zone between silty sand (SM) and silt (ML), two soil types, SM-ML with FC between 35 and 50% and ML-SM with FC between 50 and 65%, are added. As such, SM is modified with FC between 12 and 35% and ML with FC above 65%. See USCS classification for details. This modification will not affect any calculation results. 

7)Soil Type: link to strength or compression parameters (optional). The ID number of Soil Type should match the 1st column in "Shear Strength" page or "Compression" page. 

8)Vp: Measured compression wave velocity (optional). If it is input, it will be directly used in the calculation of Poisson's ratio. 

9)νp: Poisson's ratio (optional). If it is input, it will be directly used in the calculation of compression deformation.  

Input Vs, Vp data file:

By clicking , you can import Vs and Vp data from any text file.

By clicking , a list of available files in selected folder will be shown in "Available Data Files" window. By clicking the file name in the list, a preview of data file contents will be shown in the right side window. 

Below is a sample of an imported Vs data profile.

If SPT data and Vs data are for the same soil profile, fine contents, USCS classification, as well as strength parameters and compression parameters contained in the SPT data profile can be imported to a Vs data profile by clicking . An example of merged soil properties from a SPT profile is shown below.

Import CPT data profile:

CPT data will be directly imported from text or Excel files by clicking as shown below.

The CPT data import window is similar to the one for Vs data import.  Data file format (units and column #, etc.) is confirmed in this window. 

Sample imported CPT data profile:

If CPT data is calculated, you can view the CPT profile as shown below. 

Shear Strength Parameters:

1)Soil Type: It should match the "Soil Type" in the 7th column in "Soil profile" page

2)Cpk: Peak cohesive strength

3)ϕpk: Peak frictional angle

4)Crs: Residual cohesive strength

5)ϕrs: Residual frictional angle

6)Depth Z: Optional. If strength parameters are obtained from a sample obtained from a specific depth, input it  

7)N: Optional. If strength parameters are obtained from a sample with a specific blowcount (N), input it

Compression parameters:

1)Soil Type: It should match the "Soil Type" in the 7th column in "Soil profile" page

2): Recompression index in %

3): Compression index in %

4)Pc': Preconsolidation stress

5)Depth Z: Optional. If strength parameters are obtained from a sample obtained from a specific depth, input it  

6)N: Optional. If strength parameters are obtained from a sample with a specific blowcount (N), input it

Swell/Collapse curves:

1.Soil Type: The numerical number should match the "Soil Type" in the 7th column in "Soil profile" page.

2.P/δ: Pressure (upper line) or compression deformation (lower line) in %.

3.Each Soil Type contains 2 consolidation test curves (a total of 4 lines). 

4.The first curve is the results tested under field moisture content condition and the 2nd curve is the results tested under saturated condition that will show either swell (negative or collapse deformation)

5.The Soil Type ID should be in following format: 

1)numerical number + "Dp" (pressure for dry curve), e.g., 6Dp, in psf or kPa

2)numerical number + "Ds" (compression deformation for dry curve), e.g., 6Ds, in %

3)numerical number + "Wp" (pressure for saturated curve), e.g., 6Wp, in psf or kPa

4)numerical number + "Ws" (compression deformation for saturated curve), e.g., 6Ws, in %

6.Saturated curve should always follow the dry curve.

Compression curves under dry condition (field moisture content) and saturated condition are illustrated as below.