The Florida Pier Analysis Program Methods and Models for Pier Analysis and Design

Abstract

The Florida Pier Analysis Program (FLPIER) was developed by the University of Florida Department of Civil Engineering in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Structures Division. The program was developed in order to give pier designers a comprehensive model development and analysis tool to optimize pier designs. The current version is a nonlinear, static, soil-structure interaction suite of programs that run on a personal computer and include group pile effects, layered soil, pier columns and cap, high mast lighting, sound, and retaining walls. The program was designed to allow input to be specified graphically using “designer variables” such as spacing, offsets, number of columns, and so forth. Its use has reduced the time for model development and analysis from days to under an hour. The numerical modeling techniques used have been compared with experimental data and give highly accurate results leading to an improved overall design and reduced costs.