VOLFLO 1.

5 Quick Guide

GTK

GEOSTRUCTURAL TOOL KIT, INC.

Copyright 2004 By Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc.

All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc.

Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc.

2804 Longhorn Boulevard Austin, Texas 78758 Phone : (512) 835-7206 Fax : (512) 835-1248 email : info@gtksoft.com web address : www.gtksoft.com

Other Software Available PTISlab

VOLFLO 1.5 QUICK GUIDE

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The system requirements to run VOLFLO 1.5 are: A Pentium or higher processor (Pentium II recommended) 32 MB of RAM (64 MB Recommended) Windows 95 or higher, Windows NT 4.0 SP3 or higher 16 MB of available hard drive space SVGA monitor, 800 x 600 resolution minimum CD-ROM

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES To install VOLFLO 1.5 follow the steps below: 1. If installing on Windows NT, 2000 or XP log in as an administrator. 2. Insert CD-ROM into drive. 3. From the desktop click on the Start button. 4. Click on Run 5. In the Run dialog box type the command X:\VOLFLO1.5\Setup.exe where X is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive. 6. Click the OK button. 7. The setup program will begin. Follow the on screen instructions. Please note that due to the necessity to update Window system files the computer may need to be rebooted during the installation process. After installation the program will operate in demonstration mode. The demonstration mode allows the user to preview the capabilities and functionality of the program prior to purchase. Upon purchase the user will be supplied an activation code by Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc. (GTK) that will unlock the program from demonstration mode. This activation code is specific to the installation computer and a certain registered user name. To purchase the software fill out the order form, which can be found on the Order VOLFLO menu within the program. This order form can be faxed, mailed or emailed to GTK. Upon receipt of the order form and all payments due a representative of GTK will contact the user and supply the activation code.

LICENSE AGREEMENT During the installation process a license agreement window will appear. The license should be completely and carefully read since it is considered a legal agreement between Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc. and the user. The license has to be agreed to before the installation will continue. If the license is not agreed to the program will not install. If you have any questions concerning the license agreement please contact Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc. The license agreement is also available in Adobe AcrobatTM format located on the

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installation CDROM. Please note that the license agreement allows for installation and use of the software on only one workstation. Additional seat licenses for the software are available for a nominal fee.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Free technical support is available for 12 months after the program shipping date. The free technical support is limited to problems with installation and running of the program, not engineering consulting or interpretation of the PTI manual. Application or engineering consultation for specific project inputs, analysis, evaluation or design issues by experienced design engineers is available and can be provided on a fee basis. On-site training, seminars or workshops are also available. Call for rates. To obtain technical support please call or write Geostructural Took Kit at: Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc. 2804 Longhorn Boulevard Austin, Texas 78758 Phone : (512) 835 - 7206 Fax : (512) 835 1248 e-mail : techsupport@gtksoft.com web address : www.gtksoft.com DISCLAIMER Some of the application logic employed in the programs will reflect the judgment of the writers. Specific design results may differ somewhat from results other engineers would produce for the same input conditions. GTK welcomes discussion of programmed decisions and suggestions for improvements in the program. These programs have been written for use by knowledgeable foundation or geotechnical engineers. Their use by non-professionals always should be supervised and reviewed by a knowledgeable professional. Output results must be evaluated in light of professional judgment.

TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Windows and Windows NT are registered Trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Acrobat and Acrobat Reader are registered Trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporated in the U.S. and other countries.

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SUMMARY OF INPUTS GENERAL INFORMATION TAB The General Information tab provides the user with inputs to identify the project the analysis is being performed for. All information on the General Information tab is optional. The information that can be entered on this tab is: Project Name - Name for the project. Project Date Date of the analysis. The user can press the Today button to the immediate right of the text box to automatically insert the computers current date. Project Number This number might be used for filing or accounting purposes to identify the project. Project Engineer Name of project engineer. Geotechnical Report By Source of geotechnical information used in the analysis. Geotechnical Report Number Number used to identify the geotechnical report. Geotechnical Report Date Date geotechnical report was issued. The above information is printed at the top of all printed output to identify the project. Units - Variables required by the program may be entered in either English or metric units. The default units are English and can be changed on the General Information tab.

LAYER PROPERTIES TAB The Layer Properties tab is used to enter the required soil information. Up to 10 different soil layers may be input. New projects start with a default of 1 soil layer. Soil layers can be added or deleted by right clicking the mouse on the soil grid or on the soil layer diagram and selecting the appropriate item from the pop-up menu. To switch between soils layers, left click the mouse on the appropriate soil layer on the soil grid or on the soil layer diagram. The information entered on this tab is:

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Liquid Limit Plastic Limit Percent Passing #200 sieve Percent Finer 2 micron Percentage of soil smaller than 0.002 inches as determined by hydrometer tests. Dry Density Suction Compression Index for 100% fine clay (100) Change of soil volume for a change in suction for 100% fine clay. The suction compression index is sometimes referred to as o or the matrix suction compression index. The suction compression index may be user input or calculated by the method prescribed in the PostTensioning Institutes Design and Construction of Post-Tensioned Slabs-On-Ground 3rd Edition manual. Ko Lateral Earth Pressure Coefficient The recommended values of Ko are as follows: Ko = 0.00 when there are many cracks in the soil. Ko = 0.33 when there are few cracks and the soils moisture is decreasing Ko = 0.67 when there are few cracks and the soils moisture is icreasing Ko = 1.00 when cracks are tightly closed. Ff Fabric Factor Factor used to modify the unsaturated diffusion coefficient for the presence of roots, layers, factures and joints. The Fabric Factor is only used in the determination of the edge moisture variation distance (Em) by the Modified PTI procedure. The recommended values of Ff are as follow: Ff = 1.0 when soil layer contains few roots, layers, fractures or joints (no more than one per vertical foot). Ff = 1.3 when soil profiles contain some roots, layers, fractures or joints (two to four per vertical foot). Ff = 1.4 when soil profiles contain many roots, layers, fractures or joints (five or more per vertical foot).

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SUCTION AT EDGE OF SLAB TAB The Suction at Edge of Slab tab is used to enter the suction profile information. The inputs are broken down in four groups: Initial Suction, Final Suction, Constant Suction, and Barriers. The Initial Suction and Final Suction inputs are used to select the initial and final suction profiles or envelopes to be used in the analysis. Following is a list of the suction profiles or envelopes that can be selected on the drop down list: Default Wet Design Envelope In absence of local observations, the wettest suction value at the ground surface recommended by the Modified PTI procedure is 2.5 pF. This value is typical of poor drainage, excessive watering or construction after extended rains. Default Dry Design Envelope In absence of local observations, the driest suction value at the ground surface recommended by the Modified PTI procedure is 4.5 pF. This value is typical of soil with wilted vegetation. Tree Envelope Under driest conditions, when the tree is near the wilting point, a suction of 4.5 pF should be used. Depth of root penetration should be determined by exploration or estimated for future conditions. Flower Bed Envelope Under wettest conditions, watering of a flower bed will produce soil suction at the ground surface of 2.5 pF. Constant Suction Profile Also known as the equilibrium profile, which is based on the equilibrium suction at depth. Measured Suction Profile A measured or assumed suction profile can be entered and analyzed by the program. The measured or assumed suction profile is defined by entering a depth and a corresponding suction value. Up to ten points per profile may be entered. To add or delete points, right click the mouse in the measured suction profile grid.

The Constant Suction inputs are used to input the climate controlled equilibrium suction and the depth at which no change in suction occurs due to environmental influences. The Constant Suction inputs are as follows: Constant Suction - The constant suction may be determined by measurement at a depth below which the suction varies by less than 0.027 pF per foot or estimated using the Thornthwaite Moisture Index chart found in Appendix A-3 of the PTI Manual or or other procedures found in the literature.

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Depth to Constant Suction The depth at which the suction changes less than 0.027 pF per foot, a water table or cemented soil exists. The Barrier inputs can be used to modify the suction profiles due to barriers. The Barrier inputs are as follows: Vertical Barrier Depth The depth below the ground surface that a vertical barrier extends. The vertical barrier can be applied to either the initial or final suction profiles or both by selecting the appropriate check boxes. A conservative barrier analysis to be used for foundation design would be to apply the vertical barrier to only the final profile. Horizontal Barrier Length Horizontal distance that a barrier extends away from the edge of the slab. The horizontal barrier applies to both suction profiles.

SUCTION AT Em TAB The edge moisture variation distance (Em) can be user input, determined per the PTI 2nd Edition Manual or the PTI 3rd Edition Manual. The suction profile at Em is required to determine the horizontal distribution of suction under the foundation. Location of tree roots and flower bed wetting zones near the foundation and horizontal barriers also affect the horizontal distribution of suction under the foundation. The constant suction profile is the typically assumed suction profile at Em.

REFERENCES Lytton, R.L., Prediction of Movement of Expansive Clays, ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication No. 40, Vol. 2, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 1994. Design and Construction of Post-Tensioned Slabs-on-Ground, 3rd Ed, PostTensioning Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 1996. Meyer, K.T. "Review of Procedures for Support Parameters for Stiffened Slabs on Ground on Expansive Clay, Spring 2001 Meeting, Proceedings, Texas Section American Society of Civil Engineers, Austin Texas, 119-128.

Covar, A.P. and Lytton, R.L., Estimating Soil Swelling Behavior Using Soil Classification Properties, ASCE Geotechnical Publication No. 115, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 2001, pages 44-63.
Revised 12-07-04

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