The Incremental Construction Soil-Structure Interaction Program SOILSTRUCT (User's Guide)

Abstract : This user's guide is for SOILSTRUCT, a two-dimensional, plane strain finite element program used in the incremental construction, soil-to-structure interaction analysis of earth retaining structures. The initial version of the program was developed by Professors G. W. Clough and J. M. Duncan (1969) for use in the analysis of Port Allen and Old River U-frame locks. The program has been enhanced during the last 20 years by Professor Clough and his coworkers. This version of SOILSTRUCT is available for use on the CRAY Y-MP at the US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) and reflects modifications made in conjunction with a number of projects at AES. These projects include the soil- to-structure interaction analysis of U-frame locks, gravity locks, retaining walls, basement walls, sheet-pile walls, cofferdams, and supported excavations using braced or tieback walls. The finite element method of analysis results in the computation of stresses and displacements for both the structure and the soil backfill. Applications of the procedure to a variety of earth retaining structures have shown the importance of modeling the actual construction process as closely as possible and the use of a nonlinear stress-strain soil model. SOILSTRUCT has the capabilities to simulate incremental construction which may include embankment construction or backfilling, the placement of layer(s) of a reinforcement material during backfilling or embankment construction, dewatering, excavation, installation of a strut or tie-back anchor support system, removal of the same system, and the placement of concrete or other construction materials. In addition, SOILSTRUCT has the capability to include the modeling of the interface region between the soil backfill and the structure, using interface elements.