ABSTRACT
The Florida Pier (FLPIER) bridge pier analysis package is an easy to use yet powerful analysis and design tool for engineers designing bridge pile foundation structures. Design parameters including the pile configuration and properties are changed easily, yielding fast iterations through the design process. The initial need was for the analysis of pier structures subjected to ship impact loads. To accurately include the effects of ship impact, the program needed to calculate the ultimate capacity of the pier. The FLPIER analysis program is a nonlinear finite element analysis program designed for analyzing bridge pier structures composed of nonlinear pier columns and cap supported on a linear pile cap and nonlinear piles/shafts with nonlinear soil. The new release of the Florida Pier programs includes the conversion of the programs to the Windows NT/95 environment. As the soil and pile models are non-linear, FLPIER performs an iterative solution process.
