ENSOFT, INC.

engineering software
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Dy na N v 3 . 0 (Improved Novak's Method with Non-Reflective Boundary)

Dynamic Analysis of Shallow and Deep Foundations
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A powerful computer program should be founded on
advanced theory and be verified by tests and practice. The
DYNAN program follows these guidelines. DYNAN is
based on the improved Novak’s method where a non-
reflective boundary is formed between the near field and
the far field to account for the mass of soil in the bound-
ary. The program yields the dynamic response of both
shallow and deep foundations under harmonic, transient,
and random loadings. Such loadings can be produced by
rotating or reciprocating machines, earthquake, wind, blast,
sea waves, and other sources.
Sketch of modeled pile foundation

A RATIONAL METHOD FOR SOLVING

SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
The computational method has been applied to important
engineering practice (Han, 1987, and Han, et al, 1999). To
investigate soil-structure interaction, a series of dynamic ex-
periments were performed on full-scale mat foundations (Han,
1989) and on full-scale piles (Han and Novak, 1989, 1992). The
elastic wave energy from foundation vibration was dissipated in
three dimensions as radiation damping. The soil is not a perfect
elastic medium as assumed in the theory and the experiments
showed that damping is overestimated in the computation. For
Boundary zone with non-reflective interface practical purposes, the damping is reduced in DYNAN based
on experimental results.
The foundations (or caps on piles) are assumed to be DYNAN can be used for the dynamic analysis under transient
rigid, and all six degrees of freedom are considered as and random loading in the time domain. It also can be used
coupled. The foundation stiffness and damping constants for harmonic loading in the frequency domain. By means of a
substructure method, the dynamic response of superstructure is
are also returned for possible use in soil-structure interac-
calculated using a finite element program, such as SAP2000, and
tion analysis. the stiffness and damping of foundation are generated using the
The stiffness of the supporting soil along with damp- DYNAN program.
ing constants needed for the analysis and evaluated in the
program for surface foundations, embedded foundations,
and pile foundations. Soil layering, a possible weakened
zone (see sketch) around a foundation, and pile-soil-pile
interaction are all taken into account.

Sample input screens for DynaN

 Dy na N v 3 . 0
Dynamic Analysis of Shallow and Deep Foundations
LIST OF FEATURES SOFTWARE SUPPORT
• The program employed well-established analytical solutions
All users are strongly supported in technical aspects related
for soil-structure interaction under dynamic loading condi-
to the proper usage of our computer software. The initial pur-
tion.
chase of the program includes the cost of software support that
• The program can analyze four types of foundations: (1) footing is provided by competent engineers and software programmers.
on homogeneous half-space (half-space option); (2) footing on However, support is only provided to users of the latest version
homogeneous layer (stratum option); (3)footing embedded in of our programs. Upgrade costs cover new program enhance-
layered medium (multilayer option); and (4) deep foundation ments as well as renewed technical support. Software is usually
(pile option). upgraded in cycles of 12 to 18 months.
• The program was developed based on the improved Novak’s
method and a non-reflective boundary is formed between the COMPANY BACKGROUND
near field and the far field to account for the mass of soil in ENSOFT, INC. uses modern computational techniques and
the boundary zone. broad experience to obtain fast and reliable solutions to engi-
• For practical design purposes, the foundations (or caps on neering problems. Thousands of private companies, government
piles) are assumed to be rigid, and all six degrees of freedom agencies, and universities from the United States and 60 other
are considered as coupled. countries have selected software developed by ENSOFT, INC.
• The group effect of piles is accounted for by using the method for their various engineering projects.
of interaction factors in the DynaN program.
• In DynaN, the harmonic excitation can be of two types: con-
stant amplitude excitation, and frequency dependent (qua-
dratic excitation).
• The program accepts either S.I. units or English units.
• DynaN can be used for the dynamic analysis under transient
and random loading in the time domain (see Han and Cathro,
1997). It also can be used for harmonic loading in the fre-
quency domain.
• The program generates the output data for each frequency of
harmonic loads on the foundation.
• The graphics menu allows quick observations of results con-
tained in the output file.
• The files of input data and output data are text based and may
be directly accessed from within the DynaN program, employ-
ing the user's preferred text editor or word processor.
Sample output plots for DynaN

Horizontal response curves