Ce.Ca.P.
is a complete package for the analysis and design of foundations;
because of its completeness, flexibility ad user-friendliness it is
a fundamental instrument for any kind of geotechnical project.
To
calculate the bearing capacity of foundations, the following methods
can be used: Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen and Vesic. Such methods
are based on different hypotheses regarding failure modes, and it
is therefore interesting to compare the different results.
Normally,
the allowable bearing pressure is determined for a given shape (square,
rectangular, circular or strip) and stratigraphy.
The
safety factor under effective load conditions is determined as the
ratio between the ultimate bearing pressure and the effective vertical
stress.
It
is possible to determine the settlement of foundations that result
from normal loads and from moments. 
The
calculation is performed at the most significant points and the
rotations due to differential settlement are therefore determined
also.
The
settlement can be determined for square, rectangular, circular or
strip foundations.
The
use of numerical methods allows one to determine immediate elastic
deformation and the long term effects of consolidation separately.
The
program allows one to group together several described individually
foundations and to evaluate the effect of the overloads induced
by surrounding foundations.
This option allows one to analyse more
complex cases, like the influence of the neighbouring foundations,
foundations of any geometry and foundations on heterogeneous materials.
Due to the flexibility of the numerical approach, it is possible
to perform the calculations with the most frequently used theories
(Boussinesq, Terzaghi or Skempton).
The
bearing capacity of small, middle or large diameter foundation piles
can be determined in stratified, coherent or incoherent soil, in
drained or undrained conditions.
Different
formulae are used for driven piles (in steel or concrete) and for
drilled piles, thereby taking the effects induced by drilling or
pile driving into account.
Calculations
to obviate the risk of seismic disturbances are also possible.
The
formulae and experimental curves proposed by different authors are
used, thus allowing the results obtained from different methods
to be compared.
Point
and skin resistance (whose sum constitutes the ultimate pile capacity)
are determined separately, and the safety factor is thus determined
for project loads.
The
program performs the calculations for different families of diameters
and lengths, and the resultant chart allows the choice of the combination
of the optimal diameter-length from an economic point of view.
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