In the structural construction field, piles play a fundamental role in foundations, especially in geotechnically complex soil conditions. To carry out the correct checks and analyses, advanced tools are required, and this is where CYPE can make your projects easier.
With the next 2025.d update, CYPE is taking a big step forward by including two new modules: Piles II and Piles III. These modules complement the already existing Piles I in the design of deep foundations by means of pile caps and provide a complete suite for the design of deep foundations in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.
By combining the three modules, a complete deep foundation design can be achieved as they integrate with each other to provide a complete pile design solution. to provide a complete pile design solution.
Advanced structural checks
The Piles II module focuses on the structural checks of piles and helps to verify the safety of piles as reinforced concrete structural elements according to the criteria of the selected standards. In addition, it allows a simple definition of the pile section and its reinforcement. This will make it easier to check their resistance to the forces transmitted by the pile cap to the pile head.
On the other hand, we have implemented some options that can be used to consider the minimum values of the bending moment and the axial force in foundation elements with external fixity. It is also possible to configure the buckling length of the pile for its design. These values can be modified for each pile cap individually.
Lateral stability analysis with OpenSees©
The Piles III module covers the lateral stability analysis, a decisive aspect in the design of deep foundations subjected to significant lateral forces. The last of the pile modules, in addition to complementing the other two, also considers the lateral forces transmitted by the pile cap to the pile head. To be able to do this, it relies on the characteristics of the soil by means of p-y curves and the non-linear behaviour of the soil in the analysis.
This analysis uses the OpenSees© analysis engine; this is the first time that this tool has been implemented in CYPECAD. This program is based on a finite element module where the behaviour of the ground is assimilated to a series of non-linear springs, whose stiffnesses are determined according to the geotechnical parameters previously defined in the specifications of the soil layer.
Once the model has been solved, the forces and displacements calculated for each node can be exported to a CSV file. In addition, the program uses these forces to verify whether the reinforcement of the pile section complies with the requirements of the relevant standards.
New features in the load-bearing capacity analysis
The Piles I module, which appeared for the first time in version 2025.c, is used to verify the bearing capacity of reinforced concrete piles under different load conditions, considering the characteristics of the soil and the pile itself.
In version 2025.d, Piles I has a new feature: the analysis of the sinking resistance of piles using allowable bearing pressures. This addition allows users to select between two analysis modes, which extends the available analysis options: by indicating the "Geotechnical parameters", already available since the previous version, and by indicating the "Allowable bearing pressures" included in version 2025.d.
This option is used to analyse the pile by considering the allowable bearing pressures defined in the geotechnical study. This feature also opens the possibility to include the effect of "negative friction" by entering negative values.
A holistic approach to deep foundation design
The combination of Piles I, II and III offers a complete solution to cover all aspects of deep foundation design. From initial sinking load analysis, through structural checking, to lateral stability analysis, these modules work together to provide a complete and accurate design. This integration allows users to work with CYPECAD, CYPE 3D and Foundation elements to efficiently address the most complex challenges in pile design, optimising the process and ensuring safe results that take into account all the critical variables of pile behaviour under different loading and soil conditions.
