When the software starts, it automatically starts a simulation of a blow on a
simple prismatic pile. The color graph shows wave propagation in depth vs. time.
The colors show compressive or tensile waves.
The top line shows the velocity at the top of the pile (vs. time) - this is
what the pulse-echo method sees and records (See PET).
You can change the exponential amplification using the up/down arrows on the
right
You can control the [soil friction] slider. When you add friction, the signal
decays and more amplification is needed in order to compensate. Since
attenuation is logarithmic and amplification is exponential, the two complete
each other well.
In the [View] menu you can control how much delay will be added to the
simulation. This is useful for presentations, and you may want to use a faster
or slower simulation. The end result is identical.
The see the effect of different pile shapes, click the [Edit] button. Use the
mouse to add points and [Ctrl]+Mouse to delete. This way it is very simple to
add bulges and necking to the pile profile.
A pre-made collection of pile profiles can be used using [Lib]. You can also
store your pile profiles in the collection. When the profile is defines, you can
click [Wire] or [3D] to view it and [Copy] to paste the image to your clipboard.
Check or uncheck [Fixed toe] to define a free toe (such as in soft soil) or a
fixed one (such as in a rock socket)
Click [OK] to return to the main simulation page
Now click [Hit] again to run the simulation on the pile with the profile you
just defined. You can now see reflections from the different features of the
profile.
